Debit Card Use On The Rise

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27474773/

Interesting trend. Because people need to actually do that thing called "budgeting" now, they've switched from credit cards to debit, which at least forces you to have money in the account if you want to buy stuff.

Of course, the banks aren't getting as much profit from this deal, since they don't get as much interest on debit cards. However, they've made it so that debit cards act more like credit cards. Insufficient funds are no longer denied, for example. They just charge you more money.

Of course, if you're a responsible card user, you'd actually make a budget, stick to it, and not live on the "buy now, pay later" mentality. Then again, in lieu of society itself collectively developing some responsibility, I suppose monetary punishment will suffice.