I was in Curry's today, looking at vacuum cleaners. The ground floor is taken up by home entertainment and suchlike, so I had a look around. Good grief, what massive TV screens there were. I can't imagine what one of these would look like on my living room wall. What ugly things they are. Fancy sitting glued to one of these all night long. Enough to give you a headache. Not for me.
I had a letter today from the TV licensing people. It's been two years since I last declared that I didn't need a licence. They are asking me to check the list to see if I now need one. None of the boxes apply to me, so I need to renew my No Licence Needed declaration. That's easy enough. Ring a freephone number or write to them. I'll do that tomorrow.
My credit card bank has written to me saying I haven't used my card for quite a while so they are planning to close my account. They are correct, I haven't used it. My last statement was November 2021. The card expired in Aug 22, and they sent me a new one. If I want to use it I have to activate it from my Mobile Banking App. That will be rather difficult as I don't do mobile banking and haven't got the App. I am wondering whether to bother, do I actually need a credit card.
I can't be bothered with all this faffing about. I don't need credit, I have enough cash to pay for things. I bought a vacuum cleaner, not from Curry's, too expensive there, but from B & M, and paid cash.
I booked the car in at the garage, it needs a new cat converter. I thought about changing the car, but if I do that it will cost me a few grand. Might as well get this job done, as it will be a lot cheaper, and the car will be good for a few more years.
That's all for now. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. ilona
You get extra consumer protection paying for a big item by card (doesn't have to be credit card, can be debit card). You don't get that with cash.
ReplyDeleteI use a debit card occasionally.
DeleteSorry, amaryllis is incorrect, there is no additional protection with a debit card. Needs to be a credit card
DeleteActually Anonymous, it is you that is incorrect. Yes you get most protection from credit cards via Section 75 legislation, however there is the 'chargeback' scheme that is used on debit cards. Chargeback is not as strong consumer protection as Section 75, but it is certainly more than nothing. For small purchases however I don't mind using cash.
DeleteTalk to the bank about the credit card. You never know when you might need it. Rent a car? You need one. Some hotel and hostel sites need a card to secure a reservation, you can still pay in cash when you arrive.
ReplyDeleteI was glad we had a card when I wound up in hospital overseas, despite have travel insurance, it was 1,000 euro a day until the insurance kicked in and then I got a refund.
Good points. I want a car sat on my driveway because I often go places on the spur of the moment. If I book a hotel I ring them up and say I will pay cash on arrival. I have never been asked for a card number. I will never be travelling abroad again.
DeleteI don't have a credit card and haven't for decades. I use my debit card for everything, anything I don't have immediate money for, I go without and have back up easy access savings for emergencies.
ReplyDeleteI just don't like the idea of buying something I can't afford on credit (and have the debit card for everything else). xx
I have only used my credit card when it's convenient to do so. I don't really need it now.
DeleteI don’t have a credit card and don’t do online banking either. About 20 years ago I had a small bank loan to buy a car and was pestered by the bank for years offering me more and more loans. I think they wanted to keep me in debt forever.
ReplyDeleteI think they view everyone who takes out a loan as a cash cow. Some people would go along with it thinking it's free money. Banks are vultures that try and bleed you dry.
DeleteDebt is a horrid monster to have hanging around your neck. I went there once and that was enough. I've survived now for nearly thirty years without a credit card (and must have saved so much money in not paying interest or fees). I do have a debit card, more because that is what my bank prefers to issue (instead of an eftpos card), and it does everything I want.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a monster. I used to use a credit card quite a lot, I had a Tesco one which gave me points. I paid it off every month. Then the points became almost worthless so I only used it at odd times to keep it going. Now I don't need it at all.
DeleteCredit cards can be good as long as you pay the balance in full every month. I have a Tesco card and get club card points every time I use it. It feels I am getting something for no extra effort.
ReplyDelete