[danielf]

Originally Posted by Chris T

I have never owned one. I intend it to stay that way. If I haven't got it, I don't spend it. The only exception to that is for major, essential purchases that nobody can afford (i.e. house, possibly a car), in which case I look carefully at my circumstances and what's available and make appropriate, affordable arrangements.

I have always found it hard to understand why most people need a new item of clothing so badly that they have to borrow money to pay for them!

The only exception to all the above is that a few years ago Boots tied up with Egg - Mrs T converted her advantage points card to an Advantage Egg card, purely because the extra boots points you could get was quite ridiculously generous. Sadly Boots and Egg agreed, and the deal was up in about 18 months. We were sent a new Egg card but cut it up not long afterwards.

Credit cards are very handy in that they are widely accepted abroad/on the web. Obviously you need to use them wisely. Mine gets paid off in full every month.