I’ve broken my own promise not to use my credit card until it looks a little bit more health yet

No need for that sort of frankness GSM.

Huge assumptions being made here along with harsh judgements - all with no knowledge.

Spot on Marydoll we all have different financial backgrounds, some unkind comments on here.
Like Luckygirl I used my credit card for the extra protection it gave me for flights, holidays larger purchases etc. However Barclays rescinded my card as I don't have a UK address. Something else to thank Brexit for.

However, OP is not in your fortunate position
What a patronising assumption Grandtante
Do you know this for sure?
Even if you did, it is in extremely poor taste to discuss somebody’s personal financial situation.
I imagine that most of us pay off purchases on our credit card every month if used in place of a debit card, or budget for major purchases and factor in any interest payments likely to be incurred.
There seems to be a total absence of any sort of SOH on GN these days

I can pay mine off each month now but at one stage I couldn't and remember having to buy a dress to wear to DH's Christmas do with his new firm; we had just moved to a very expensive area and were broke. Nothing in my wardrobe was suitable, it was all down-to-earth practical and old

I loved that dress and did wear it a few times and still have it at the back of the wardrobe! (although it won't fit me now 40 years later).

Enjoy your dress and the wedding and hope you get to wear it again. (Hide your credit card, Christmas is coming though.)

My dress must be vintage now ?

Having been there myself I am unapologetic. Being in debt is not a light hearted matter for me but each to their own. OP’s debt is her problem not mine.

Well said Marydoll we are all different.
As for poster saying they would be ashamed to post this, what a alful thing to say.
I had a uninvited comment once, because I ate out every day at work. I enjoyed it, and no I do I do not want to make a cheese sandwich and put it in silver foil, neither do I want last nights leftovers, my choice. I was told I was a lazy girl. Nothing further from the truth. I told that person to mind their own business, and yes I put it on the credit card, and did not pay it off. I have no problems with what they chose to do in their lunch hour.

Nothing wrong with having a credit card, as long as you are able to manage it. I'm fortunate in that I am able to pay it off in full each month. I have just received my M&S bank reward vouchers and will hold onto them until the sales.

Just to put it out there, multicolourswapshop, is a lovely lady, whom I personally know. Getting out to the shops, isn't really an option.
Rather than post a harsh comment, perhaps stop and think, a little kindness doesn't go amiss. None of us really know a person's circumstances.

Germanshepherdsmum

Why don’t you just cut up your credit card OP and live within your means? You don’t sound as though you are likely to keep that promise you say you made if the card is still available. I totally agree with scones’s comment. Frankly I would have been too ashamed to post what OP did if I were in that position.

I completely disagree, what a patronising unkind thing to say. The poster has bought as dress on a credit card, she has frozen the card again. No biggie. I think she should enjoy her dress and enjoy the wedding guilt free.
I am in no debt, paid of my credit cards, my car and my mortgage.
When I first got divorced, I paid all my mortgage, my car, and my Bill's, after that I used my credit cards, did I need to eat out in those restaurants, no, did I need to buy my son the things he got no, did I regret using my credit card and not paying it off, no I do not, I enjoyed every bit of it. Living within my means was not attractive to me.
I have paid everything off now, but still love my coffee's and clothes.
Life is for living, yes I know people get into debt, and are unhappy, but I did not get that impression from OP, and I thought what she posted may be light hearted.
I know people spiral into debt, and are unhappy but I used credit to enjoy my life, and would not like people lecturing me about it. Yes you should pay the card straight away, but I could not afford to do it at the time, and have no regrets.

It is nice to hear that many of you have either incomes that make it possible for you to pay off a credit card every month, or are stubborn enough not to exceed the amount you know you can pay off in full.

However, OP is not in your fortunate position.

There can be reasons why we can't pay off a credit card, or any other form of debt in one fell swoop.

Years ago, DH felt forced to buy a new suit and I agreed with him, as neither of us wanted to admit to my critical mother that he either could not go to her posh 75 th birthday dinner or would need to be the only man there in casual clothes, which would not have gone down well with her.

It once took me three months to put enough aside from the housekeeping to buy a pair of new bootlaces.

You should have heard my dear mum's sarcastic remarks, but I literally only just earned enough to pay the rent, utility bills and a month's worth of the cheapest food.

For all I know, OP may be or have been in the same case, so go gently please with your, "Oh don't use the card remarks."

The post was light-hearted IMO.

I think it was lighthearted- dont you?

I don't think she has given any indication that she finds it funny

Quite jaxjacky. I was in a pretty dire financial position when my first husband left me and I had a small child to support on my own. I bought only what was necessary to feed and clothe him and keep a roof over our heads. I would never have publicised my unhealthy financial position, of which I was deeply ashamed though the debts weren’t run up by me, or say I just had to have a dress. Clothes for my son were essential, for me they absolutely weren’t. OP seems to think this is funny. Having been there through no fault of my own and slowly climbed back to financial health I find it anything but funny. Some people have no option but to rely on credit to buy basics, not extravagances. My sympathy is reserved for them.

You can use a debit card in a pub/restaurant to keep your tab open. It doesn't have to be a credit card.

I find this thread a bit preachy though.

I don’t think the OP was asking for suggestions.

She was just telling us what happened.

I just hope it was a reputable site.

Agree about being kind and 'charitable'. Sometimes, the truth has to be said. Racking up credit card debt to provide a bit of cheer is totally understandable. But the truth is, that in many cases, and for the most vulnerable, interests rates of 15-30% and more for some 'pay day loans' - will reap nothing but misery and often, worse.

Not very charitable gsm, ‘be kind’ seems to have got a bit lost on GN lately.
I have a card I use for internet purchases, I too pay it off when due, but some years ago it wasn’t the case. I was going through a divorce, I’d lost 50% of the household income, but still had bills to pay with two children to support emotionally and keep their environment stable.
So yes I racked up a credit card debt and yes, I probably bought the odd unnecessary thing for the children or myself to provide a bit of cheer.
We never know the situation other people are in, hopefully the OP appreciates the constructive suggestions from some.

Never had one and never will so it is possible to manage without one. I never buy anything on tick and save up before I buy something unusual even if that takes months. Cut it up and get rid of it as it sounds like it’s leading you into temptation.

Depends doesn’t it?

If you can make all your other payments, mortgage, utilities, food, etc then the interest on your credit card is just how you choose to spend your extra money.

If the credit card and a dress takes most of your money and you’re struggling with the essentials, then you really need some help.

Not sure if it’s a lighthearted post or a real problem?

I have had a credit card for years and only ever use it for Amazon and it’s paid off every month by direct debit… I must say it’s a startling amount this month but that’s Christmas for you !

Why don’t you just cut up your credit card OP and live within your means? You don’t sound as though you are likely to keep that promise you say you made if the card is still available. I totally agree with scones’s comment. Frankly I would have been too ashamed to post what OP did if I were in that position.

I just had to buy it

I don't know your full story regarding debt and credit cards OP but I tentatively suggest that people have to buy food but maybe not many people have to buy a dress.

Mine is fully paid off automatically every month by direct debit.

The only reason I use it is that it provides protection when shopping online.

There is no problem with using a Credit Card if you pay it in full. But if the OP writes 'until it looks a bit more healthy' then it probably is a problem, and with massive interest rates.

Unpaid debts and those massive interest rates are a real issue for 1000s of people, many are being kept in constant poverty and dragged down by debts and said interest rates.