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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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12

What Not to Put on Plastic

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(Newser) – Credit card companies know more about you than you think—and if they think you're financially stressed, you're in trouble. American Public Media lists 10 "red-flag" purchases that you shouldn't make with plastic unless you want to give your credit card company the jitters.

  • Traffic tickets: These make you look reckless, and, statistically, more likely to  default on your credit cards.

  • Retreading your tires: Drivers do this when they can’t afford new tires, and it makes them look desperate.
  • Bargain binges: Switching to lower-cost retailers is a sign of money worries.
  • Adult playthings: No one's judging you ... except for your credit card company.
Click on the link below for the entire list.

Police can ruin your credit.
Police can ruin your credit.   (©conner395)
Shopping at lower-cost retailers might indicate you are financially troubled.
Shopping at lower-cost retailers might indicate you are financially troubled.   (Getty Images)
Be careful with your credit card purchases.
Be careful with your credit card purchases.   (Getty Images)
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12 comments
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oldgoat
Jul 12, 09 6:25 AM CDT
Don't see why using your credit card to pay for traffic tickets, bargain stores or even adult toys should make any difference. Many people use either credit cards or debit cards almost entirely. I guess the credit card companies want us to keep using the high dollar places just so we can waste our money. Reply
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+4
IN RESPONSE:
AClotfelter
Jul 13, 09 5:04 AM CDT
They don't really care where you spend your money, they're just looking for any excuse to jack up your fees.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
DeniseVB
Jul 12, 09 7:50 AM CDT
Using a credit card for everything, then paying it off every month is easier than writing checks or remembering to subtrack debit purchases. Works for me :) Reply
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+9
IN RESPONSE:
keybored
Jul 12, 09 7:58 AM CDT
That's the key DeniseVB -- charge only what you can afford to pay off at the end of the month. And pay the whole bill and not just a portion. That's exactly what we do too and it also works for us!
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+11
sadtimes
Jul 12, 09 8:51 AM CDT
This article is just ridiculous. Don't charge bar expenses to your credit card? Since when did it become the bank's job to psychologically evaluate our spending patterns and decide if we may have credit issues in the future? Credit should be based on assets, liabilities, and an individual's ability to keep current on their liabilities. BOO! Reply
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+11

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