Top Seven Reasons Why I Use My Credit Card for Everything

I charge absolutely everything to my credit card. Everything. Even $3 purchases if I can. Why, you ask, in a world where credit cards are "evil," would I do such a thing?
I am a credit card junkie (and have been for many years) for a number of reasons:

7. It builds up a great credit rating.

By charging and paying off up to thousands of dollars in expenses each month, I have built up a rock-solid credit rating — the best one possible. So whenever I have sauntered into the bank for a loan, I have been accepted right away, and at the lowest possible interest rates, with no security deposits required.

6. It's quick and easy.
Swiping a card these days is often as quick as (if not faster than) paying with cash and counting out coins.

5. It's great for accounting and spending reports.

Since I don't dole out cash, or make purchases on my debit card (and I rarely use checks), all my monthly spending is nicely bundled into one report — my monthly credit card statement. Not only that but my current credit card of choice actually categorizes my spending for me, so at a glance I can see how I've spent my pennies for the month and year-to-date.

4. I don't need to carry cash.

Trips to the bank machine are few and far between, as $60 can last months depending on my spending needs.

3. Automated billing is great.

Cell phone bills, utilities, cable, you name it. If I can sign up for automatic billing, I do. It doesn't mean I don't look at each carrier's statement to ensure the charge is correct. But it does mean that on a monthly basis I don't have to worry about paying any bills (other than my credit card!) - they're already paid.

2. Almost everybody takes Visa.

From the coffee shop to the grocery store to online spending to travelling, to…well…everywhere. I have Visa, MC, and AmEx, but I find that Visa is most widely accepted worldwide.
And my number one reason for charging everything to my credit card (drum roll, please):

1. Frequent flyer miles.

Since I started to charge all expenses to my credit cards, I have collected and redeemed miles for everything from fancy dinners to sports gear, to multiple flights all around the world. Hey — just for spending money I would always have spent, I've been able to take advantage of all sorts of free swag. What's better than free?
Note: The trick to a spending plan such as the one I have laid out here is a rock-solid budget. I never (read: never ever) spend beyond my ability to pay off the bill in full each month

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