Has anyone ever paused / quit using credit cards and could share their experience? I'm mainly hoping it will simplify things and shave some time off from budgeting. But also interested if people found they spent less when they went off credit cards.

Some people have shared their experiences about pausing or quitting credit card use, and here are a few takeaways: • Simplifying Budgeting: Many found that stopping credit card use helped simplify their finances. For example, one person mentioned that using cash made them more aware of their spending because they could physically see the money leaving their hands. This approach can make budgeting feel more straightforward and less overwhelming. • Spending Less: Some individuals reported spending less when they stopped using credit cards. The convenience of credit cards can sometimes lead to overspending, so switching to cash or debit cards can help people stick to their budgets better. • Challenges: On the flip side, some noted that credit cards offer benefits like rewards points, travel perks, and extended warranties, which they missed after quitting. Others found it inconvenient to make online purchases without a credit card. • Mental Shift: A recurring theme was the mental shift that comes with budgeting and being intentional about spending. For instance, one person shared how they started checking their budget instead of their account balance before making purchases, which helped them feel more in control of their money. If you're considering quitting credit cards, you might find it helpful to: • Use cash or debit cards to make spending more tangible. • Remove credit cards from autofill forms to reduce temptation. • Focus on building a budget that aligns with your goals. These steps could help you simplify your finances and potentially spend less.

Or does anyone know of some kind of debit card that could be set to always require a PIN / no minimum balance / fraud prevention features? I'm not crazy about constantly using my debit card and putting my whole checking balance at risk.

You can use the cash App debit card, you can easily transfer money in instantly as needed

@mysterious-tomato-10057 is fizz tried and true? are frum finance families using it?

I haven't had a use case until now to recommend it. But Caleb hammer recommends it to all his clients.

If the goal is to spend less, I would stay away from a card that gives you rewards for spending.

I tried debit cards for a while but it was a pain. Switched back to credit cards and pay off every months. One thing you may want to consider is a credit card with a low limit - you can set those on a cardholder basis manually.

why would debit cards be a pain?

1. Debit cards don't offer the fraud protection that credit cards do. If someone uses your debit card fraudulently, you have to fight to get the money back into your bank account; whereas on a credit card, you simply dispute the charge and let the credit card company fight the charge, with no money ever coming out of your pocket. 2. When using a credit card you can invest money in the beginning of the month and float the CC charges until the end of the month, essentially getting an interest-free loan for a month each month. Useful for someone that gets paid bi-weekly or monthly. 3. Debit cards are far more annoying to utilize when it comes to things like car rentals. 4. Even just utilizing a basic 2% cash back credit card like the fidelity rewards card (which puts 2% of your spending automatically into an investment account each month) adds up. 5. More advanced credit card users can make serious cash through credit card churning, bonuses, etc.

which I assume most if not all frum finance members are doing

Halevai...

I actually stopped using credit cards almost five years ago, and while it took a bit of time to adjust, it's been well worth it for me. At this point, I have a really simple setup: my paychecks go into one checking account, and on the first of each month I transfer the full budgeted amount for the month into a second account I call my “operating account.” That’s the one my debit card is connected to. (A large portion of the budget is spent right at the start of the month for fixed expenses like mortgage, tuition, and other recurring bills.) It did take time to get to the point where I was a full month ahead and could fund the month at once—but now that I’m there, the peace of mind is real. Just knowing I’m only using money I already have has helped me stay more grounded financially. I get that credit cards have some advantages—fraud protection, perks, but for me, the simplicity and control I’ve gained by using debit has outweighed those benefits.

@hallowed-air-46987 your answer explains advantanges of a CC over debit, but i don't show the pain

The main ways a debit card are a pain are 3 and (perhaps) 1. The rest are just advantages