I'm not allergic to balances, but at the same time I've never paid any interest on any of my CCs. I read a lot about how people here hate carrying balances even during 0% APR promo periods, and that's something that never made sense to me. I absolutely love those promos because I can put a large purchase on it and pay it off at a rate that suits me; I have many other cards to do my daily transactions on, so I never would get caught up with making a purchase on the card while I have that balance outstanding. Yes, it's bad for your score to report balances in general but hey, I'm in a place where a drop doesn't kill me.
Not to sound disrespectful, but it's all about not being stupid - remember a ballpark number of where your balance is and when the 0% period ends, and see whether it's wise for you to add on to that or not. Figure out how much you owe across all your cards, and when their dates are, and whether you can afford to keep on purchasing at the rate you are. Man up (just a phrase, not to offend anybody) and cut down if you need to, even if there's a huge lifestyle change that goes along with this. It's about being responsible.
Sorry for the rant, but it was just my 2 cents.
@sarge12 wrote:Okay, I'll play...I am now, and always have been a creature of habit. Bad credit habits led to 2 bankruptcies, and a life spiralling out of control. I finally realized that I had an addictive personality, and probably always will. I quit trying to change that, and learned to re-focus the addiction in the opposite direction, so I started paying my balances as soon as they posted over and over again until it totally became a habit. I now have a hard time allowing a balance to even be on an account for a week, but sometimes I do just because there are some pending charges I will be waiting for to post. I actually wish cards would allow you to go ahead and pay the pending charges. So for some people, the use of 0% interest offers makes total sense, for others, like me, it would be dangerous to even try to take advantage of that. I've already learned that my habits can be redirected, and life is better with 800+ fico scores, and zero balances vs begging for CLI because I actually need it.
Congrats, Sarge! One we know our limitations, financial decisions become much easier and we sleep better. Keep up the good work!
Personally, I've never paid a bill before I was billed. Sometimes that's close to 60 days from purchase. To each his/her own. 
@Turbobuick wrote:
@sarge12 wrote:Okay, I'll play...I am now, and always have been a creature of habit. Bad credit habits led to 2 bankruptcies, and a life spiralling out of control. I finally realized that I had an addictive personality, and probably always will. I quit trying to change that, and learned to re-focus the addiction in the opposite direction, so I started paying my balances as soon as they posted over and over again until it totally became a habit. I now have a hard time allowing a balance to even be on an account for a week, but sometimes I do just because there are some pending charges I will be waiting for to post. I actually wish cards would allow you to go ahead and pay the pending charges. So for some people, the use of 0% interest offers makes total sense, for others, like me, it would be dangerous to even try to take advantage of that. I've already learned that my habits can be redirected, and life is better with 800+ fico scores, and zero balances vs begging for CLI because I actually need it.
Congrats, Sarge! One we know our limitations, financial decisions become much easier and we sleep better. Keep up the good work!
Personally, I've never paid a bill before I was billed. Sometimes that's close to 60 days from purchase. To each his/her own.
That statement is the crux of what all should realise....there is more than 1 right way to handle ones credit....what works well for me, may be totally unnecessary for others...as long as the bills get paid on time, both ways work!!!