He actually got me an application form from HSBC and excitedly outlined all the supporting documents I would need. He even volunteered to send in the application himself, once completed, through the same person who assisted him with his own application.
He's got an HSBC credit card already and, according to him, enjoying the perks he would otherwise not enjoy had he not decided to get a credit card from the said financial institution.
I told him, however, that I don't intend to shell out cash for an annual fee. That being the case, I plan to have the credit card cancelled before the first year expires. As with almost all credit card companies here in the Philippines, the first year is a no-annual-fee year.
The thing is, I still am not sold to the idea of purchasing things on credit, especially since what I plan to purchase is a laptop. A laptop, as we are all aware, doesn't appreciate in value, so that swiping a card for such may be considered a bad debt.
On the other hand, months back, I had already come to the conclusion that I need a laptop to be able to do more stuff online, especially when I'm in the city and far away from my computer at home.
I told him, however, that I don't intend to shell out cash for an annual fee. That being the case, I plan to have the credit card cancelled before the first year expires. As with almost all credit card companies here in the Philippines, the first year is a no-annual-fee year.
The thing is, I still am not sold to the idea of purchasing things on credit, especially since what I plan to purchase is a laptop. A laptop, as we are all aware, doesn't appreciate in value, so that swiping a card for such may be considered a bad debt.
On the other hand, months back, I had already come to the conclusion that I need a laptop to be able to do more stuff online, especially when I'm in the city and far away from my computer at home.
There are times when my schedule at work isn't so hectic that I get to enjoy some free time, free time which I almost always spend watching movies on DVD, reading books or chatting with friends. Now that isn't so bad a way to spend free time, isn't it?
My husband of thirteen years, who was already frugal even before I had learned to appreciate the trait, oftentimes asked me whenever I expressed desire to send in an application with a credit card company, "What do you need a credit card for?" which then would get me to thinking, "Indeed, what do I need a credit card for?"
But then, I've been wanting to rake in extra cash lately - I've got financial goals of my own, you know - that I intend to give online freelancing a shot. My other friends are into it and have expressed their satisfaction so far.
Sure, freelancing is not a walk in the park, but in due course, once the right buttons had been pushed, things, as a lot of freelancers declare, are bound to get better and better. Somebody just need to take a step forward.
Now that's just half the story. The other half is the fact that never in my life had I experienced purchasing stuff via credit card, and I'm apprehensive of the emotions it might invoke in me. I know I now have financial discipline ingrained in this brain of mine, but who knows what might happen the moment I have an actual credit card with my name in my hands, right?
Now that's just half the story. The other half is the fact that never in my life had I experienced purchasing stuff via credit card, and I'm apprehensive of the emotions it might invoke in me. I know I now have financial discipline ingrained in this brain of mine, but who knows what might happen the moment I have an actual credit card with my name in my hands, right?
And now that I'm thinking about it, one of my sisters is against me getting one because she herself got burned by her own credit card experience.
Okay, so I don't have a credit card. Not that I have bad credit standing that the credit card companies are dumping me like hot potato as fast as they can, just that I never had been really serious about applying for one in all the years I had been employed.
Unbelievable, you might say. Well, there still are people like me on the planet, people who opt to live simply and away from complications.
Okay, so I don't have a credit card. Not that I have bad credit standing that the credit card companies are dumping me like hot potato as fast as they can, just that I never had been really serious about applying for one in all the years I had been employed.
Unbelievable, you might say. Well, there still are people like me on the planet, people who opt to live simply and away from complications.
My husband of thirteen years, who was already frugal even before I had learned to appreciate the trait, oftentimes asked me whenever I expressed desire to send in an application with a credit card company, "What do you need a credit card for?" which then would get me to thinking, "Indeed, what do I need a credit card for?"
To set the record straight, we're not well off. There are still times we find ourselves strapped for cash, but not too strapped to cut down three meals in a day to two. Thank goodness for small favors.
So there. I need a laptop, but I don't think I really need a credit card. I have some savings in place for an emergency fund, but there's no way I'm going to dip into it to pay for a laptop, brand-new or otherwise. Maybe I'll just go on spending my spare time watching movies on DVD, reading books and chatting with friends.
As for the extra income, I still got me my small-time retailing business and the money management business I've been introduced to by a long-lost high school friend.
So there. I need a laptop, but I don't think I really need a credit card. I have some savings in place for an emergency fund, but there's no way I'm going to dip into it to pay for a laptop, brand-new or otherwise. Maybe I'll just go on spending my spare time watching movies on DVD, reading books and chatting with friends.
As for the extra income, I still got me my small-time retailing business and the money management business I've been introduced to by a long-lost high school friend.
Maybe I just need to learn the tools of the trade more. And maybe when I get better at both, I might be able to raise enough cash to buy the laptop I need.
