DAVE SAYS

Dear Dave,

I use a debit card for all my regular, day-to-day purchases. However, I use a credit card for plane tickets, big ticket items, or when I shop online because someone told me it’s easier to dispute purchases when they’re made with a credit card. Are you putting your checking account at risk by using a debit card for these types of purchases?

Wendy

Dear Wendy, I don’t know who this “someone” is, but they’re a lousy financial advisor. The firm of Someone, They Said, and I Heard? That’s a financial planning company you don’t want to work with.

A debit card has the exact same protections for fraud that a credit card has. It does come out of your checking account, but the bank has to put it back once you dispute the charge and prove your dispute. It may take a day or two, but they’ll get it done.

I’ve used a debit card for decades, and I haven’t owned a credit card since way back in my dumbwith- money days. I’ve never had any problems using a debit card, and I’m not going to make the mistake of playing around with debt ever again.

I hope you won’t either!

— Dave Dear Dave,

My wife and I just bought a new home, and we only need one or two more things to furnish the living room.Overtheweekend, wefoundacouch and love seat set we both like for $3,000. The owner of the store said he would take 15% off the price if we get a store credit card and pay for it that way. We are in pretty good financial shape,andcanafford to pay cash for the furniture, but what do you think about the idea of taking advantageofthe15% off offer, then paying off the card immediately and closing the account?

Jackson

Dear Jackson, Playing with snakes is always a bad idea. Sooner or later, you’re going to get bitten.

Everyone thinks they’re the exception to the rule, or they’re somehow winning or getting rich by doing stuff like this. It doesn’t work that way. So, stop playing around with debt products. This guy’s just trying to hook you and make more money.

Your idea might sound good on the surface to a lot of folks, but the problem is the vast majority of those same people don’t have the discipline to follow through on a plan like this. Having that store account, even for a short period of time, would be too much of a temptation. Another issue is many places like this hit you with a fee when you pay off the card. They’ll fee you to death on other things, too, if you’re not careful, until you end up wishing you’d never even seen the place.

If it were me, I’d just talk to the owner again and let him know I’m taking my business elsewhere unless he discounts the furniture 15% on a cash purchase. There’s no way I’d take out a stupid credit card for a place like that whether I had the cash on hand or not!

— Dave

Dave Ramsey is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 16 million listeners each week. He has appearedonGoodMorningAmerica, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News,CNN,FoxBusiness,andmany more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.