Earlier in this chapter, we noted that using consumer credit involves both advantages and disadvantages,
both for individuals and for the economy. Although credit cards offer these same advantages,
as well as some others discussed in this section, the high costs of interest and fees tend
to outweigh the benefits of this form of borrowing, from the perspective of personal financial
planning. In this section, we look at the additional advantages and disadvantages of credit card
use. Exhibit 6-5 compares the costs and benefits of consumer credit in general, which includes
consumer loans of various types, with the costs and benefits of credit cards. Debit cards offer
many of the same advantages without the disadvantages of borrowing.