What do you do when you see the perfect dress in the window at a shop - but don't have the cash on hand to pay for it? If you're like a growing number of people in the UK, you whack it onto your credit card and pay for it when the bill comes in. You may even use a cashback credit card and earn yourself a little discount for doing it. Using credit cards has become a way of life, and despite the doomsayers who tell us that we are becoming a nation of debtors, reports from various government offices say otherwise. In fact, most people who use them, use credit cards responsibly, and by making the effort to compare credit cards, actually profit from their choice to use credit.

We're living in a buy it now culture. Gone are the days of putting aside a few quid a week to buy that new stereo or update your wardrobe with a new jumper. A credit card means that you can buy that jumper now - not next season when it's already gone out of style. It means that you don't have to carry wads of cash with you and risk losing it. Depending on the credit card, you may even save a few pence here and there when you use a cashback credit card or rewards credit card to buy at your favorite shops.

So what is the best credit card to use? That depends entirely on you. There are dozens of different kinds of credit cards available to UK consumers, and the best credit card for one is not always the best credit card for another. A person who tends to frequently charge small things at the corner shop and pay off the account each month will actually save money if they're using a cashback credit card that pays back .5% to 1% in every purchase. The person who uses a credit card to pay for an emergency purchase - new tires for the car, perhaps, or a refrigerator to replace the one that suddenly shut down - and will be carrying the balance on account may be better served with a low interest credit card. Still another looking to reduce their debt may find that the best credit card for their use is a 0% balance transfer credit card. There are even bad credit credit cards that will help you recover from a difficult spot in your credit record.

With all the choices available, it's important to compare credit cards before you apply for one. If you take the time to visit a user friendly comparison site, you can compare credit cards by interest rates, application fees, cash back and rewards and other features that can help you choose the best credit card for your spending habits.

These days, there's no need to wait for the little rewards and necessities. Having the right credit card in your pocket and using it responsibly can let you enjoy life now without paying too dearly for it later.