Consumers Spend Carelessly When Using Credit Instead of Cash
Cash helps consumers save more
By CRAIG MELVIN
Updated 11:31 AM EST, Tue, Nov 18, 2008
The average American loses hundreds of dollars each year by using credit cards and losing track, according Visa USA, so one D.C.-area couple put that theory to the test.
Antonio and Dinah Tijerino had too many credit cards, which made it difficult for them to track their spending and saving, they said. When their family began to grow, they started using cash more money.
To prove that it works, the Tijerinos decided to use nothing but credit one week and nothing but cash the next. During the credit week, the couple spent more than they expected. They were more careful the next week.
The results did not surprise Kiplinger's Personal Finance's Janey Bodnar, who said people tend to spend up to their credit limit when they use credit cards.
First Published: Nov 17, 2008 7:04 PM EST
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