Maxed-out credit cards mean it’s time to stop spending

Readers discuss credit card management. Other topics: parents' acceptance, US and Iran, Prince's legacy and 'hero' deliverymen.

Readers discuss the need for financial literacy about credit card debt. Antonie Robertson / The National

With regard to your story, Counting the cost of personal debt in the UAE (April 23), my personal thoughts are that the interest rates should be irrelevant because everyone should pay off their total in full each month before it starts accruing interest charges.

If you can’t pay the full amount owed every month, it means you’ve been spending too much money and should immediately stop using the card.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

I will be cancelling my credit card after I was charged an annual fee of Dh750 after being told it was free for life.

The problem is that you cannot pay for some services with a debit card. One example is renting a vehicle, because rental car companies don’t accept debit cards.

Sohail Anjum Mohammad, Dubai

If you budget and spend wisely, why would you have to rely on credit cards?

I think knowledge about banking and finance is essential for everyone who resides here. I hear people say you should use a bank loan instead of using a credit card but that’s just another form of debt.

Credit cards are also used for security purposes, even if you do not intend to get into debt. To rent a car, the hire companies will block a certain amount of money on your credit card for a period of time and then the bank will automatically release that amount when the car is returned in an undamaged condition.

Name withheld by request

Acceptance is key for parents

With regard to your story, Children as young as a year old being tested for autism, centre says (April 22), it is very hard as a parent to admit that something might be wrong with your child.

Even if you know it in your heart and mind, to actually do something about it is also difficult. Once you find out that something is wrong, it does not make you feel better to know that you were right and that your instincts were correct.

You then need to accept the situation and this can be the most difficult part of all. This can take some time, but once a parent accepts their child’s situation, then they can do what is best for their child and family.

Acceptance is the best part – the freeing part. There will still be bumps along the way, but with acceptance you can handle them.

Tracy Innes, Abu Dhabi

US always had its eye on Iran

In relation to Hussein Ibish's opinion piece, In truth, the US hasn't given up on the Gulf (April 24), the United States always weighs its interests in any region. In the Middle East, the only real ally the US seems to think it has is Israel.

The US has also always eyed Iran as major power and political player in the region. The Islamic revolution was a setback, but that did not stop the US from eyeing Iran as a potential place of US interest because it has a promising economy with diverse resources and a population of roughly 80 million people.

It was only a matter of finding a breakthrough and the Iranian nuclear deal was it.

Jehad Makhoul, Dubai

The United States seems more interested in Iran than in the GCC countries.

I, for one, thought the Americans would not be that stupid. Sadly, they are doing stuff that keeps proving me wrong.

Name withheld by request

Prince’s concert ‘the best ever’

Having read Saeed Saeed's article, Stuff of dreams: Remembering Prince's secret Dubai gig (April 23) I feel blessed to have seen Prince perform in the UAE. His concert after the Grand Prix in 2010 was the best I've ever attended.

He was a legend, a genius and a superstar and it is so sad that he is no longer with us.

However, as you say, his music will live on.

Deb Adcock, France

I started listening to him in my teens. He was a true musical genius.

Sarah Davis, Dubai

How to ensure safe deliveries

In regard to your editorial (The challenge of deliverymen, April 24), these unsung heroes should not be pushed so hard by their employers.

When an order is placed, customers should be patient – or even burn excess fat by going to the restaurant themselves.

Mathew Litty, Dubai