Sometimes I think they shouldn't be called credit cards. I think that "convenience cards" or "lifestyle cards" would be better names. Because credit cards do have a tendency to change the way people live.
Without a doubt, credit cards come in handy when you need to spend a lot of money quickly. One common way to use credit cards there is to buy gifts for Christmas. When you want to spread holiday cheer, having a line of credit in your pocket is a big help.
But there's more to it. When you look at all the Christmas promotions, you'll see that there's more to it than just a line of credit. For example, since issuers expect people to spend more during the holidays, they often offer extra perks like cash back deals, extended warranty coverage programmes, extra mileage points, and reward programmes.
This kind of festival cheer is quite a global thing, which is interesting. In terms of consumer spending, the US is by far the leader. But credit cards in other countries, like Australia, also have great deals around Christmas.
So let us draw a picture. You have to buy gifts at the last minute. You can use one of three modes. First, there's Online Shopping. I especially like online stores with good reputations that guarantee delivery before Christmas. As expected, you usually need a credit card to make these kinds of online payments. There are other ways to pay, but they usually involve your credit card as well.
The other way to shop is in a store. This is an old way to enjoy shopping all year long. During the holiday season, it can be hard for all of us to shop in stores. That's because there are so many people and lines at the checkout counters and gift-wrapping stations.
The third choice is always the hardest to find. This includes things like shopping by mail, by phone, at a convenience store, and so on. Again, the ever-present credit card comes into play.
I guess it is quite compelling. It looks like Christmas wouldn't be the same without credit cards. I know that sounds like the most materialistic thing ever. But, I am not market-prude. I think that using credit cards in a smart way is one of the best ways to make people happy.
And what better time than the season of joy to show this joy? So, when Santa comes to visit, make sure all that plastic is in one place. If that little remote-controlled helicopter costs a little more than you thought, use your plastic money to cover the difference and spread holiday cheer.
And while we're talking about holiday cheer, why not think about giving back this year? So that this doesn't hurt your December budget too much, you can use your plastic money and make sure you can pay in easy instalments.
Don't take my enthusiasm as a green light to use credit cards irresponsibly. Honey, if it's all about the money, we should treat the money with respect.
