Which Card is Best?
Understanding the differences between debit cards and credit cards is very important in determining which card is best for you.
Debit cards are cards that act just like as if it were cash in your pocket or like a check. A debit card has direct access to the money that you actually have in the bank. Credit cards are cards that "borrow money" from a financial institution or credit card company, at interest.
One difference between the two are that a credit card charges interest if you don't quickly pay off the balance and a debit card doesn't charge interest, except for possible fees.
An advantage of using a credit card, is that they help establish a good credit history for the future, (if you use them wisely) whereas a debit card doesn't really help in that way or to that degree.
Another advantage of using a credit card, is the protection they offer in case of theft. In the possibility of someone stealing your credit card or debit card, credit cards usually offer a lot more protection against liability than a debit card.
Credit cards also offer more in the way of consumer protection, such as when things you purchase are advertised as one thing, but aren't, what condition they are in when you receive them and things of that nature.
Depending on what your financial goals are, and the consideration of those financial goals, will help you determine which card is best for you. If your goal is to establish credit and you are in good financial shape, a credit card is a good way to go, especially because it offers more protection than a debit card.
If your goal is to get out of debt, however, adding more debt to a credit card that charges interest, may not be the best card for you. A debit card forces you to work with the actual cash you have and no more. Unfortunately there is more risk with a debit card, because its just like cash or a check and more at risk.