Compare Credit Cards with CardSmart

Home » Credit Card News » Spending Money » 12m Brits use credit cards for essential purchases

12m Brits use credit cards for essential purchases

A growing number of cardholders are using credit cards to pay for essential day-to-day living, figures released by the Post Office have revealed.

More from Spending Money
22 January 2010

12m Brits use credit cards for essential purchases”

Bookmarks

A growing number of cardholders are using credit cards to pay for essential day-to-day living, figures released by the Post Office have revealed.

More than 12 million (36%) of British consumers plan to use their credit card this January on essential purchases such as grocery shopping, a rise from 30% of cardholders who were asked last year.

The research found 10% of customers are looking to spend more money through credit offers in the next 12 months, while 45% do not plan to repay their credit card debts in full at the end of each month.

Az Alibhai, head of lending at the Post Office, said the continuing trend for consumers to "rely on their cards for basic day-to-day purchases is a concern".

Credit cardholders are advised to set up direct debits rather than pay off the minimum amount of their bill each month, as this reduces the amount of interest paid.

Written by ©

Credit Cards	Balance Transfers	Purchases	APR Representative (Variable)
	Tesco ClubCard Purchases Credit Card
	0^% 9 months 2.9% fee	0^% 16 months	16.9^%
Representative Example: The annual purchase rate is 16.9% p.a (variable) so if you spend £1200 your representative apr will be 16.9% p.a (variable)
	Barclaycard Platinum with BT (26 Mths)
	0^% 26 months 3.5% fee	0^% 6 months	18.9^%
Representative Example: The annual purchase rate is 18.9% p.a (variable) so if you spend £1200 your representative apr will be 18.9% p.a (variable)
Compare More Credit Cards...

The content and information on this website are intended as general information only and shall not be construed as financial advice or recommendations of any nature in accordance with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 nor is it intended to address specific financial requirements. Read more... We strongly recommend that you seek independent financial advice before using and/or relying on the information made available to you or prior to purchasing any financial product/service listed on the Website. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure that the content and information published are true, correct and up to date, no warranty, guarantee or representation is given as to its accuracy, reliability or fitness for a specific purpose.

The Best Buy credit card comparison tables feature financial products/services of our advertisers and may not necessarily constitute the best offers in the market for each of such products/services.