UAE | General
Credit cards: People talk
Resident recalls spiralling debts and inability to repay despite decent salary.
- Compiled by Siham Al Najami and Wafa Issa/Staff Reporters
- Published: 01:04 February 8, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News
- Clockwise, from top left: Mustafa Karim, Nada Al Terkawi, Emad Cheikh Hassan, Kamal Rathunyaka, Jallal Mouris and Edmund Fajud.
Mustafa Karim, Accommodation Manager from Lebanon
"Credit cards can be addictive. Once you're in it you're stuck and it prevents you from borrowing money, which is a good opportunity. Unfortunately banks take advantage of credit cards and you should always monitor the charges and interest rates collected. For me I mainly use it for leisure and business purposes."
Nada Al Terkawi, 33, HR Manager from Syria
"I use two credit cards for bills, groceries and entertainment. I've been using credit cards for eight years as I live alone and initially didn't have enough money to cover my expenses or medical insurance. It is useful in emergencies. The major issue is you can't control it or have any indication on spending. You just don't feel the limit."
Emad Cheikh Hassan, 28, Sales Executive from Palestine
"I got a credit card mainly for emergencies but now I'm using it for clothes purchases. It has its benefits and attractive packages but at the same time the charges are a lot. There is also no confidentiality as the database is given to other banks for promotional uses which is annoying."
Kamal Rathunyaka, 27, Waiter from Sri Lanka
"I don't have a credit card. I think there will be too much paperwork to get one and I have only been in the country for 7 months, I don't know if I would be eligible. I think they can be useful but I think I would spend it too fast. It can be dangerous. I do fine with my debit card."
Jallal Mouris, 38, Art Director from Syria
"Credit cards can be good because you can collect benefit points but I think that credit cards make you fall into the trap of spending and debit. You do not feel how much you are spending by just swiping the card so you end up spending money you actually do not have."
Edmund Fajud, 30, Office administrator from the Philippines "My wife and I decide to get one credit card together which we can use for emergency situations especially at the end of the month. Credit cards, if they are smartly used, can be an advantage, to boost your monthly income."
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