The Off Topic Topic

[Malthus]

Around here people mostly use debit cards. I hav a credit card, but I only ever use it for emergencies, say if my bank went under or something and I have never used it. Instead I have a Visa/Mastercard connected to my wage account. So I get all the benefits of insurance and so on, but I never pay on credit.

Way to use credit cards, they act much the same as debit cards (if you go online and pay it off promptly) - the big advantage is not the provision of credit, which most people don't need (and on any case credit card credit is stupidly expensive), but taking advantage of the incentives the credit card company offers to entice people to use their cards and go into debt.

[garbon]

I also avoid debit card most of the time, as if something terrible happened, I'd rather have all my money most of the month till I pay the credit bill.

[DGuller]

I think the reasoning is that then you are an unknown.

It's not reasoning, it's data.  Credit scores are predictive models of default, and little credit history indicates higher default risk.  The problem is that the concept of predictive models becomes a bit questionable when everyone is aware of how it works and how it can be gamed.

[Habbaku]

Around here, holding a credit card also usually gives you a kind of insurance. Travel insurance is the most common one.

Ditto, among the other advantages like good exchange-rates, protection from fraud and loss, etc.

[garbon]

Around here, holding a credit card also usually gives you a kind of insurance. Travel insurance is the most common one.

Ditto, among the other advantages like good exchange-rates, protection from fraud and loss, etc.

Ah that's another reason I like them. Frozen credit card better than frozen bank account.

[Habbaku]

[Josquius]

Around here, holding a credit card also usually gives you a kind of insurance. Travel insurance is the most common one.

Heard of these and been trying to track them down but apparently not so common in the UK.

[Josquius]

Now this is cool.
A 19th century Japanese book.... A illustrated history of america

https://mobile.twitter.com/nick_kapur/status/1062823813338091520

[Iormlund]

I think the reasoning is that then you are an unknown.

It's not reasoning, it's data.  Credit scores are predictive models of default, and little credit history indicates higher default risk.  The problem is that the concept of predictive models becomes a bit questionable when everyone is aware of how it works and how it can be gamed.

Around these parts they just ask to see your contract and salary. Since everyone gets paid electronically your usual bank will also have your bank history. Top scores are usually reserved for public workers (since they have a job for life).

For mortgages you might need to obtain a guarantee from, say, your folks.

[Malthus]

Now this is cool.
A 19th century Japanese book.... A illustrated history of america

https://mobile.twitter.com/nick_kapur/status/1062823813338091520

Seems there were some parts missing from my school history texts ... 

[Barrister]

Now this is cool.
A 19th century Japanese book.... A illustrated history of america

https://mobile.twitter.com/nick_kapur/status/1062823813338091520

[Valmy]

Man John Adams is a badass.

[The Brain]

Now this is cool.
A 19th century Japanese book.... A illustrated history of america

https://mobile.twitter.com/nick_kapur/status/1062823813338091520

Nice.

[Threviel]

I also avoid debit card most of the time, as if something terrible happened, I'd rather have all my money most of the month till I pay the credit bill.

I fail to see your point, surely you have several months wages stashed away?

[The Brain]

I also avoid debit card most of the time, as if something terrible happened, I'd rather have all my money most of the month till I pay the credit bill.

I fail to see your point, surely you have several months wages stashed away?

garbon has hand-to-mouth disease.