After reading on GRS frequently about points on credit cards and how they can help you save money on travel and things I decided to look up some creditcard offers in my country (Netherlands).

Next to it being really hard to find any local credit card offers I noticed something else, which absolutely shows how different finances are done here. Absolutely every page about credit cards in Dutch that I've found starts with explaining what a credit card is, and why you would actually want one. "When you go abroad you'll need one". Which is in fact the only reason I have one. It's not even in my wallet, cause I wouldn't know where to use a credit card. Everything is paid with debit cards.

The funniest offer I found was: "No annual fee until you start using the card!"

That's interesting. I credit card usage similar in the UK as well.

Wow!!! great opportunity... Funny too.

Here in Japan everyone uses cash for everything. I have a Japanese "credit card" (according to the bank) but it's not really a credit card. It's simply a debit card which some extra features. I've been here for a year and I still haven't seen any "real" credit cards!

In China, more and more people are using the credit cards. Some people borrow money from the bank by the credit card. It's a bid risk, if you cannot pat it inmerdietely.

interest rates would be more expensive.


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Amber Mollers-My Finance Blog

Here in Sweden debit card is far more common than credit card. Expences for the company (hotel, taxi, travel) ans so on is commonly payed with credit card.

One reson is there is no such thing as a FICO-score here. If I apply for a credit card the company will take a "credit control" that will state my income last three years, and weather I at any time last years did not pay debt or bills on time (number of times). The later, even if just once = big trouble.

If I sign up for a cell phone plan the operator want to se an income, but $7.500 yearly probably will do the trick.

There is no point in keeping credit open for a long period of time or acting strategically in any other way than: 1) pay bills and debt 2) make more money in order to raise "credit score". Two people making $ 100.000 a year (no credit bloopers past 5 years) can borrow $425.000 mortage on a house if they put in 15% down payment. Housing market here is still kind of crazy...