Do the math! Gas Credit Card Companies are Seemingly Stupid, and think you are, too.

[superbon54]

I always try to leave a cash tip with the server personally even when using a card to ensure THEY get the $$. That way if they keep it, great. They earned it. But if they want to pool it, that's on them. I leave a good tip for good service. Usually 22-25% on average for decent service. If they really suck, I leave them a sucky tip like $1 or something. For effect. It's a non-verbal message. A minor issue now and again I overlook, but sucky service? You know it when you get it. They can get mad all they want, but I'm not going to be held hostage for tipping well for bad service. We went to a local restaurant a few weeks ago and the service was horrid. I had to flag down the server 3 times just to get my tea refilled. And when they brought out the food...it wasn't what we ordered. Oh, I screwed that up. Well, ok, so they had to re-do the order. What's worse, we were not offered any comps for any of it. At the end of it, I paid with my card, left $0 tip on it, and reached into my pocket and I only had 37 cents in my pocket. There's your tip. Maybe some pocket lint to go with it as well. Don't spend it all in one place.

As far as rewards cards- recall ALL free sh*t is good. But all good sh*t isn't free.

I usually use my water as a gauge for a tip. If I, or anyone else at my table, never has to ask for a refill the service is generally very good and the tip will correspond. If the server has to be asked once or twice, the tip drops. If they’re asked numerous times, or if we’re forgotten about, it’s $1.

 

[Gwarren79]

I have a duplex and a primary home. I have 2 CC, a home depot and a Capital One. Between the 2, I have 21K available for credit. I do run a balance right now. but its on a 17% card (CO). Home Depot has a 0.0 balance and the CO balance is going down since the divorce. Paid off by August.

 

[69hurstolds]

I have a duplex and a primary home. I have 2 CC, a home depot and a Capital One. Between the 2, I have 21K available for credit. I do run a balance right now. but its on a 17% card (CO). Home Depot has a 0.0 balance and the CO balance is going down since the divorce. Paid off by August.

Yeah, you need to pay that off. It's very liberating to know the money you have saved up in your bank, investments, etc., that you can pay off your credit card in full every month. Like everything else, be responsible with your spending power and use it to your advantage, not the CC companies. Enjoy what your money can bring to your life, but no need to borrow money at high interest rates to do it, because that just adds headaches. Most marriages/relationships hit rough spots, and most of the time it's over money, or lack thereof. So it's important to keep tabs on where your money goes.