Learning new spellings.... Checks, not cheques OK?

[Darnell 8,478]

On a debit card, even if paying through the credit option, there is no "balance" as it comes directly out of your bank account no matter what.

Credit cards are credit cards are credit cards no matter where in the world you are.

Since there's no "balance", does it still count towards building a credit rating (where it just comes out of your account automatically)?

IMO, no.

If you are looking to build credit, look into getting SECURED credit card. THOSE are reported on, you betcha !

[hudons 0]

No I don't think so.

I have accidentally hit the credit button a few times and it's gone through fine. And I still can't get a credit card.

Pain in the #######.

Anyone who can suggest a good starter credit card for a non-student? I've heard that Capital One sometimes give them out.....?

[familyguy 2]

On a debit card, even if paying through the credit option, there is no "balance" as it comes directly out of your bank account no matter what.

Credit cards are credit cards are credit cards no matter where in the world you are.

Since there's no "balance", does it still count towards building a credit rating (where it just comes out of your account automatically)?

IMO, no.

If you are looking to build credit, look into getting SECURED credit card. THOSE are reported on, you betcha !

A debit card does NOTHING to your credit score.

Agree with the previous poster up to a point. Stick to the mainstream such as Bank of America, Citi, Wells Fargo and even US Bank. They all offer secured cards up to $10,000 credit limit.

Avoid the sub prime cards such as New millenium etc. The fees are horrible and terms even worse. They are not a good idea.Orchard by HSBC is a bit of an in the middle type card.

Depending on the bank after 12 - 18 months they become unsecured cards and your CD is returned unless you decide you werent using it anyways so carry on earning the interest.

Edited October 16, 2009 by familyguy

[antda 13]

Hi Hudons and Everyone,

Oh yeah, I understand what you mean about getting used to American English...

I'm a Canadian, and have used Canadian English (which is more like British/UK English) in the past. So to go from Canadian to American, in terms of spelling, grammar, metric/non metric system, etc....oh boy...So close these countries are, and yet so far apart in things like this!

Heck, it took me a year or more just to write the date in the "american way"...mm/dd/yyyy and not dd/mm/yyyy

Lol..And to me words are still spelt with "re", "our", "cheques", "grey", "zed".....Not my fault the Americans can't spell and pronounce it right!

Yup, the English/British had it right in the first place...So why mess with it?

Lol...And yes, I have my "Oxford English Dictionary" handy too..In case anyone else disputes about it here in the USA....

So confusing, indeed! Yet it makes for interesting conversation and a very 'unique" writing style......

Oh yeah, I totally empathize with you here...I love America (and am about to be a US Citizen too..go figure)...but boy, do I hate American spelling/grammar!

Lol...When my son is old enough, I'll have to teach them both British/Canadian English and American English too....yikes.....

Hope your adjustment to American English language goes well, and good luck with your immigration journeys too.

Ant

OK, I have embraced American culture. I pronounce most of my Ts as Ds. I have adapted my accent to such that I can be understood on the phone. I have stopped saying 'Hiya' and genuinely wanting to know how people are when I ask "How are you?"

The main problem I have experienced, working in an office and frequently communicating via e-mail, is spelling.

It's so difficult to remember which words drop Us. 'Favourite' does, 'various' doesn't. Which words change S to Z: 'organisation' does, 'advertise' doesn't.

I'm 23 and I normally pride myself on my spelling. Now I feel like I didn't pay attention in school.

HELP!

I just need some empathy here. Surely I'm not the only one...

p.s - I really love America though. Everything but the spelling.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[Malrothien 6]

Heck, it took me a year or more just to write the date in the "american way"...mm/dd/yyyy and not dd/mm/yyyy

The US Military uses "dd/mm/yyyy".

[Hokie97 5]

When a store asks you about "credit" or "debit" it has nothing to do with your account or money, and everything to do with how much they pay. Every time you use your card (debit or credit) the retailer pays a fee. If you chose "debit" you put in your pin number before the charge is approved. This costs the retailer less than if you chose "credit." AMEX has the highest fees (at least they did when I worked retail), which is why it is not accepted everywhere. It's a choice the retailer makes as to whether or not they want to pay the fees.

I mainly only used my debit card (though I had a credit card for emergencies) and I always chose "credit." The reason for this is because my bank charged an ATM withdrawl fee every time I used my pin. It didn't matter that I wasn't getting cash out or getting cash back from the transaction. You use the pin, you get charged.

Now that I've been in the UK a while, I'm completely use to using cash, so it's going to be an adjustment when we move back to the US. I think I'll try to continue using cash, but debit cards are just so much easier (when only one person is spending money, that is).

[JamalNTam 1]

Yup - I know what you guys mean. I just have the standard English accent (no accent in my opinion!!!) and people here still find it difficult to understand certain words - especially when I ask for water!! Whether I pronounce the T or dont, people STILL can never understand! It drives me insane! The same goes for my name - Tamsin - people ALWAYS think I'm saying Tomsin .. and unless I imitate an American accent (which I refuse to do) then I dont think anyone will ever get it - I usually have to just spell it out and it sucks!

I noticed the whole check thing too - I hate checks .. and most banks you have to pay for them. Luckily hubs is in the military so we bank with USAA who is all online and therefore no longer use checks for anything and they have no fees for using other ATMS!

[NotworkSte 19]

Fortnight is one that C probably had the most trouble with. Though after all this time I finally realised last night she had no idea when I meant when I said "10 to" doh!

Surprised at the widespread use of cheques/checks given the level abuse and theft, C had one or two recently (one stole out of her mailbox) and accepts it as an almost inevitability. Yet the use still persists. Anyway, good thing she's the one looking after the cash, I just give her all mine and she deals with the financial side so I will remain happily clueless

[pdcvcc 0]

OK, I have embraced American culture. I pronounce most of my Ts as Ds. I have adapted my accent to such that I can be understood on the phone. I have stopped saying 'Hiya' and genuinely wanting to know how people are when I ask "How are you?"

The main problem I have experienced, working in an office and frequently communicating via e-mail, is spelling.

It's so difficult to remember which words drop Us. 'Favourite' does, 'various' doesn't. Which words change S to Z: 'organisation' does, 'advertise' doesn't.

I'm 23 and I normally pride myself on my spelling. Now I feel like I didn't pay attention in school.

HELP!

I just need some empathy here. Surely I'm not the only one...

p.s - I really love America though. Everything but the spelling.

I love watching BBC America shows and downloaded this cute show called Gavin and Stacey where I first heard Hiya. Also when I get emails from my future English SILTB she uses it as well in the greeting and I love it. To me just sounds so upbeat and positive.