Instalments or Lump Sum?

Completely pay for it or go without. I use a credit card but clear it monthly, just using for extra protection.

Unfortunately it's not just instalments . How many folks have a phone and car on contract hire ? OK it allows people to get "stuff" until all the payments start adding up . I have a 6 year old car and a 6 year old phone . Both work and have never let me down (and I don't fully understand what all the buttons do on either ) . My phone is worth a tenner (if that ) but it has internet , cameras and music and by pressing a few buttons I can speak to people far away on it . Would a £1500 phone do any more ? Apart from costing me £50 -£60 a month .

I do love a pay in instalments but only when nothing else gets added on, otherwise pay in full

it depends what it is really. If its something esential like a new cooker then I would have to get it soon as possible and would need to get an efficient one so would have to use finance

We pay for it in full as long as we can afford it. We save up for things we will need in the future. I've never had anything on finance and would only do it if absolutely necessary.

Pay in full and if I cant afford it just wait till I have enough.

Sometimes once I have saved up for something I realise I dont want or need it anymore so its a win win situation lol.

I would rather save up for the items I want and pay in full

Pay in full if you can. I don't like owing money even if it's only temporary.

I do have CCs (Aqua/Amex) that offer cashback so if I do use them, I'll pay whenever possible or at the end of the month (whichever works best — i.e., if I use it multiple times thru a month then it's at the end, then).

Speaking of CCs, my older sister used my second sister's information to open a credit card account (this is admittedly a crime) and while I'm trying to help her get control of it all, it's a disaster as she doesn't seem too concerned. The older sister made a debt of nearly £4k and she doesn't care CC companies are asking for their money as she says "I'll pay when I can." (selfish and irresponsible), well, they're not going after her / sue her (doubt they would unless it'd be a big bill), but rather the person on the account.

The Ramsey Group talk so much about this issue:

Credit card companies should require more information and a method of verification, plus if a person is financially responsible to own a CC than give almost anyone a CC.

I won't use credit cards but I don't mind paying in installments. I always work out the monthly cost and whether we can manage it, I think it's harder with credit cards as you keep adding to the debt and if your not careful it can soon become unmanageable.

I used to pay for things out right, but I felt it out me at a disadvantage, I bought a sofa and paid for it outright, when it arrived it was faulty and I felt I had no leverage as I had to wait for the company to rectify the issue, in their own time, if I had paid for it in instalments I could have threatened to stop the payments.

Now I use PayPal, pay in 3 months, that way if there is an issue and it isn't resolved they will step in.

I just transfer the £ from my savings.

Have a CC but pay in full ever month.

I pay on my credit card for larger purchases (for the protection) or at least a deposit on igbut clear off when the bill comes through and remainder on my debit/chase card, else I pay for in full using my chase card (to get cashback while I can)

I am happy to use my credit card for most of my general shopping - but then always pay it all off each month so never pay interest. I also use pay in instalments - usually with very.co.uk/ - as they often send me codes offering quite generous savings if it goes on the credit account. I will then usually pay it off over 2 or three months. You do have to be carefull as Very can be expensive - but with the deals can be a decent saving.

I have never paid for anything in instalments, if I want something and haven’t got the money then in will save up for it.

I'd love to be able to pay upfront if I can..it would be my first choice just so it's off my back though installments are appreciated but I never pay upfront for subscriptions such as Prime or Disney

I always use latest Deals to find the cheapest price and I always pay in cash. I don't have any money problems ever.

Never ever in instalments if l cannot afford to pay straight away l won't buy it

I would love to pay in full but don't have enough money most of the time so credit is a lifesaver for most people and makes more sense.

It depends - if you find something you really want and it’s on sale but you don’t have enough to pay in full - budget and make sure you can pay the instalments before you go for it

I almost always pay in full.

However, when purchasing a new iPhone last September there was an offer of Interest free credit spreading the cost over 24 months.

Since it would not cost me a penny extra, I took that option, and I'm paying around £60 a month.

I was used to paying monthly but over time I have been working on moving the vast majority of my bills to pay off all in 1 go .

Always pay in full but use a credit card just to get points and extra vouchers off shopping but always pay back in full