6 Reasons Why Using Cash Is Better Than Credit (2024)

by PrimeWay

6 Reasons Why Using Cash Is Better Than Credit (6)

In today's fast paced world, it's easy to pull out the good 'ole credit card to pay for purchases.

After all, pulling out the cash, counting it, handing it over, and then waiting for change simply takes forever!

OK, so I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the point – it might seem inconvenient to pay with cash, or easier to pay with credit. However, the next time you go for the credit card, consider the following benefits of using cash instead of your card.

6 Reasons Why Using Cash Is Better Than Credit (7)

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1. Accrued interest adds up on credit cards

If you don't pay your credit card balance in full each month, then the interest you accrue on your purchases will end up costing you more than the original purchase.

With time, that $50 pair of shoes could end up costing you $100 or more, and the bigger the balance, the more interest you're charged and accrue over time. Interest compounds, so you're actually paying interest on the interest you accrue each month, as well.

2. Paying with cash vs. credit helps you keep your debt in check

It can be easy to get into debt, and not so easy to get out of it. In addition to paying more in total for purchases over time, you're also accumulating more debt if you don't pay your bills off from month to month.

Wouldn't it be nice to think that once a purchase is made, you're done with it done and won't be paying on it for months – or even years – down the road?

6 Reasons Why Using Cash Is Better Than Credit

The next time you go for the credit card, consider the following benefits of using cash instead of your card.

3. Cash makes it easier to budget and stick to it

When you pay with the cash you've budgeted for purchases, it's easier to track exactly how you're spending your money. It's also an eye-opener and keeps you in reality as to how much cash is going out vs. coming in from week to week or month to month.

These are just a few of the reasons why it's better to pay with cash vs. a credit card. That's not to say there's not a time or place to use a credit card, but you want to be responsible when you do and have a plan to pay it off within a specified period of time.

4. You avoid additional fees

Using a credit card can result in additional expenses you did not anticipate. Some fees you will avoid by using cash instead of credit include:

  1. Annual Fee: This fee can range from $95 - $500 a year to use some credit cards. This fee will be reoccurring in most cases, or it will occur one-time during the first year of the credit card’s use.
  2. Late Payment Fee: When using credit, you can be penalized for not paying off your card on time. Each late payment can result in fees starting at $15, which can increase if the payments continue to be missed.
  3. Balance Transfer Fee: This occurs when you move debt from one credit card onto another. This fee can range from 3-5% per transfer and will often have a minimum amount associated with it.
  4. Foreign Transaction Fee: Many credit cards will trigger an additional fee of around 3% per transaction when purchases are made outside of the U.S.

5. Not all vendors accept credit cards

Although many spots do accept credit cards, not every business will. Farmer's markets and bazaars that cater to small businesses cannot always support credit transactions. In addition to this when you travel abroad you may have to default to using cash. As many countries like Japan still rely heavily on cash transactions, and not all credit types such as American Express are accepted.

6. Your personal information is protected

Everyone has found themselves in a situation where they have needed to swipe their credit card in a high-traffic area like a gas station only to discover a fraudulent charge on their account shortly thereafter. When you default to using cash, this is one less thing you need to consider as no one can steal your personal information through your purchase.

Using debit cards vs. cash

On a final note, if you use a debit card regularly, it's also good to keep track of what you're spending, as it's not uncommon for people to use their debit cards and overdraw their accounts. You might choose to use your debit card for certain monthly purchases or bills, but use cash for most day-to-day spending to help you keep that budget and balance in the green.

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Since 1937, PrimeWay Federal Credit Union has been a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing superior financial services to members in the Houston area. We offer more personalized services than you'll traditionally find at more conventional financial institutions. Our hallmarks are low interest rate loans, higher dividends on deposits and excellent member services.

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6 Reasons Why Using Cash Is Better Than Credit (2024)

FAQs

6 Reasons Why Using Cash Is Better Than Credit? ›

No interest charges.

There are no additional charges when you pay with cash. If you don't pay off a credit card purchase within 30 days, you'll likely pay interest (a monthly percentage charged on the amount you borrow from a creditor). Steering clear of interest by paying with cash can help you save money.

Why is cash better than credit? ›

No interest charges.

There are no additional charges when you pay with cash. If you don't pay off a credit card purchase within 30 days, you'll likely pay interest (a monthly percentage charged on the amount you borrow from a creditor). Steering clear of interest by paying with cash can help you save money.

What are 3 advantages of using cash? ›

But cash offers other important functions and benefits:
  • It ensures your freedom and autonomy. ...
  • It's legal tender. ...
  • It ensures your privacy. ...
  • It's inclusive. ...
  • It helps you keep track of your expenses. ...
  • It's fast. ...
  • It's secure. ...
  • It's a store of value.

Which of the following is a benefit of using cash instead of credit? ›

Pros Of Using Cash Over A Credit Card

No interest charges: There are no interest charges to worry about when using cash since you're using your own money instead of borrowing someone else's. No additional fees: There are usually no fees (and often a slightly reduced total due) for using cash for purchases.

Why is cash still better? ›

When you pay with the cash you've budgeted for purchases, it's easier to track exactly how you're spending your money. It's also an eye-opener and keeps you in reality as to how much cash is going out vs. coming in from week to week or month to month.

Why is all cash better? ›

Cash is king for sellers

While mortgage-based buyers are trying to outbid each other, mortgages are not guaranteed, and a seller could be left high and dry if a buyer does not pass the hurdles of their mortgage lender. Without any mortgage underwriting risk, all cash sales allow transactions to close faster.

What are 4 uses of cash? ›

  • Scott Thoma, CFA, CFP® • Investment Strategist.
  • U. S. S. E.
  • Unexpected. Expenses and. Emergencies.
  • Specific Short-term. Savings Goal.
  • Everyday Spending.
  • Source of Investment.
  • U. S. S. E. U.
  • E. S.

What are the 4 advantages of money? ›

When you have more money than you need, life becomes easier. You can afford to pay someone else to do your chores for you. Having enough cash makes it possible for you to take a vacation from time to time without having to save up all year first. Economical: Having money makes it easier to buy things.

Why should we use cash? ›

Cash ensures stable currency systems. It is not only the most secure means of payment and resilient in terms of crisis, it also reflects a nation's identity as banknotes and coins are often a nation's calling card, valued by people beyond their monetary worth.

When would you use cash instead of cards? ›

When Buying Beyond Your Budget. If you cannot afford a purchase, whether it's a restaurant meal, a new outfit, or a vacation, avoid using a credit card. Without the cash flow to pay the credit card balance, you will face interest charges that can snowball your debt.

What are 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of using a credit card? ›

The pros of credit cards range from convenience and credit building to 0% financing, rewards and cheap currency conversion. The cons of credit cards include the potential to overspend easily, which leads to expensive debt if you don't pay in full, as well as credit score damage if you miss payments.

What are 5 disadvantages of a credit card? ›

Disadvantages of Credit Cards
  • Minimum due trap. The biggest con of a credit card is the minimum due amount that is displayed at the top of a bill statement. ...
  • Hidden costs. ...
  • Easy to overuse. ...
  • High interest rate. ...
  • Credit card fraud.

How is cash better than credit? ›

Paying cash also avoids the interest charges on credit cards. If you can't pay your statement balance in full each cycle, you'll accrue interest charges. Some downsides to cash include the risk of loss, theft, and hygiene. If cash is lost or stolen, it is gone and very hard to recover.

Why you should use cash only? ›

You Avoid Fees and Charges

While you may pay the same price for a product or service, whether you are paying cash or credit, with a cash only purchase, you won't have to pay the additional charges often associated with credit cards.

What are the advantages of cash? ›

There are certain advantages to using cash, such as:
  • you only spend what you have.
  • you don't pay interest or fees.
  • you may get a discount since merchants don't have to pay a fee to accept cash transactions.
  • it may be faster and easier than other payment methods.
  • it doesn't require equipment, internet or electricity.
Dec 13, 2023

Why is it better to keep cash? ›

Because keeping money in cash is all about stability and liquidity. And if you were to find yourself in a scenario where you need money now — say you lose your job, or have to manage a financial emergency — you want a stash of money in accounts you can quickly and easily access.

Why is cash the best option? ›

With cash, it's easier to have a sense of what you're spending. "If you're using cash in particular, real paper greenbacks, when your purse or wallet is empty you're done, so you can limit your spending in that way," Griffin says. For some people, being restricted to using only cash may be a better approach.

Why is it good to carry cash? ›

Cash allows you to purchase essential items like food, water, and medical supplies when electronic means of payment are unavailable. Cash can also serve as a backup in instances of identity theft or fraud, offering an alternative means of payment while resolving any issues that may arise.

Why do stores prefer cash over credit? ›

In general, when you pay with a credit card, the business pays higher fees than it does if you pay any other way. Taking your cash typically costs the business the least, and payments by debit card or Venmo linked to your bank account are somewhere in between.

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