 TITLE: When to Use a Credit Card for Big Purchases CONTENT: Using a credit card for large purchases isn't always a good idea. A big impulse buy could lead to regret—and debt—later on, particularly when you're working to pay off credit card debt as your new purchases will start to accrue interest right away. Adding a new, big charge at this point can lead to paying more interest, which will make it more difficult to pay off your card.\nIf you're stuck and need to make the purchase, you may want to use your credit card for all the reasons listed above. But if you can go without, focus on paying down your credit card debt rather than adding to your balance.\nYou also don't want to use a credit card for large purchases if doing so will cause you to incur an extra fee. These convenience fees may be around 2% of the purchase price, which can be a significant amount on a large purchase. END