Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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Is there any credit card/debit/any type of plastic out there with perks geared towards very specific purchases in a paleo lifestyle? Not aware of anything particularly useful to paleo/primal followers, but it would be nice to get good discounts on more natural products/groceries or anything along that line.

Yes, I realize credit cards are evil and all that.

flag	asked May 8 2012 at 21:26 Roth 2,803●3●15

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Whoah downvotes. Guess people don't like saving money. What would the Gecko say? Or the Priceline Negotiator? (just kidding, I know you guys probably thought this was off-topic, but it is interesting nonetheless) – Kamal♦ May 8 2012 at 22:56

Sarah · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-09 01:16:21Z UTC

Really, credit cards aren't paleo? (Neither are computers. Or the Internet. Doy.)

We have a Chase Freedom. I like that right now I get 5% back at grocery stores, and I like that I always get 1% cash back. I like that I can download a .csv file of our monthly expenses and keep better track of our money and where it is going. I like being able to pay at the pump at the gas station and NOT have to lug my kiddo out of the backseat to pay in cash. I like Amazon.com for random household purchases and bulk purchases. I like being able to hold my baby on my hip and swipe a credit card at the store - I would never be able to manage cash and change with only one free hand!

We pay our credit card off IN FULL every single month. Credit cards do not have to be evil; rather, they can make your life easier, make it easier to track expenses and give you perks, like cash back. Consistent use and proper use of credit cards is good for your credit rating, which will do all sorts of happy things for you should you ever want to purchase a house, etc.

Anyone who is criticizing you for asking about a good credit card for the purchases that you want to make on a regular basis to support your paleo lifestyle (groceries, five fingered shoes, whatever...) needs to take a step back and remember that we're not doing historical reenactment. We're making the right choices for our specific circumstances. For some of us, myself included, this most definitely involves using a credit card. Responsibly, of course.

zoomia · Answer 2 · 2012-05-08 21:48:58Z UTC

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Sorry ... but REALLY???

answered May 8 2012 at 21:48

zoomia
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why not?....... – Chris May 8 2012 at 22:03

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so is money. send me yours, it will unburden you. enjoy the cave. – amplify May 8 2012 at 22:05

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oh noes! my whole life is a sad charade! – amplify May 8 2012 at 22:51

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Dude, debt is sometimes necessary in order to make gains later in life. A good example? Loans to pay college tuition. – Sunny Beaches May 8 2012 at 22:57

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raney, credit cards do not automatically equal debt. I use a credit card all the time. I have zero credit card debt. Never have. A credit card does wonders for our ability to manage our household income down to the penny. Love those .csv files and spreadsheets! – Sarah May 9 2012 at 1:13

show 4 more comments

kathleen · Answer 3 · 2012-05-08 22:00:23Z UTC

If what you want is a discount on groceries, I would look into the American express blue cash card. Call and see if the stores you frequent are included in the cash back. If you do most of your grocery shopping on amazon, I would look into their credit card.

ecks · Answer 4 · 2012-05-08 22:43:34Z UTC

Not sure too much on rewards but I have a killer capital one that does 5.99%. As a 24 year old with quite a bit of debt the low interest rate helps with financial stresses.

@raney- To say debt is "unpaleo" is unfair to people who have debt. No one chooses debt. This forum has been set up for people to come and to not be judged on their question- this is supposed to be a safe place and I would hope that the members of the board would respect that.

Sunny Beaches · Answer 5 · 2012-05-08 22:55:57Z UTC

Watch out, the Paleo Police are going to be enraged. Credit card receipts tend to have BPA. Oh, the horror! Wear gloves and handle with care. Use plant-based inks to sign when you make a purchase:)

On a more serious note, I don't think you need a special card. A special card will most likely make you feel like you need to purchase items you normally wouldn't have. Just find a good credit card/debit card that has grocery or cash rewards you can pay yourself back with. I bank with Chase and get something like 1% back on all groceries and after I spend a certain amount, I can swap points for cash. I don't need to make special purchase and I have no temptations to buy things I normally wouldn't buy. It's also free, so I don't need to worry about monthly payments to keep it "open". Find a good bank for your savings and deposits and check out what they have to offer you.

Knarf · Answer 6 · 2012-05-08 23:13:18Z UTC

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Cash only at farmer's markets.

So none.

Ahem

Otherwise, cards that give points back points or miles on groceries and restaurants, usually is a good bet (Chase Freedom, Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Blue Sky...dailymarkets.com for some comparisons).

answered May 8 2012 at 23:13

Knarf
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Those wily farmers have fancy iPhone swipey machines these days... which kinda busts my "I can only spend the cash I have with me" budgeting plan. Don't know how much I trust swiping my card directly into a stranger's phone, but it does exist. – Marcy May 9 2012 at 0:12

My farmer's market lets you buy "coins" with your credit or debit card at the entrance so you basically buy let's say $50 worth of coins and can redeem them with the farmers. – Aughra May 9 2012 at 1:16

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Whoa. I was not aware of this...I just raid the nearest ATM, head to the farmers' market, pick one vegetable from each color of the rainbow, get some grass-fed beef and pastured eggs, and make a break for it. – Knarf May 9 2012 at 3:51

trjones · Answer 7 · 2012-05-08 23:13:16Z UTC

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Get a debit card from a small institution with very few, distant ATMs and always make sure to walk to get to them.

answered May 8 2012 at 23:13

trjones
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Poop Master MC · Answer 8 · 2012-05-08 23:34:09Z UTC

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I've got one that gives me 2.5% back when I purchase Kangaroo kidneys.

answered May 8 2012 at 23:34

Poop Master MC
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where do you get kangaroo kidneys? or was it a joke? – Lady_Arwen May 9 2012 at 22:33

HeatherN1321 · Answer 9 · 2012-05-09 01:08:03Z UTC

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Until we get a major barter system going, Capital One - "What's in your wallet?" Not cavemen...but close...er. And using credit cards doesn't necessarily mean you're taking on debt. For me, I'm taking on an interest-free loan for a month (because I never carry a balance...the credit card companies just love me).

answered May 9 2012 at 1:08

HeatherN1321
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Credit card companies like you just fine since they get a few percent of your purchase from the merchant every time you use your card. – Sol May 9 2012 at 2:33

kellylynn · Answer 10 · 2012-05-11 20:06:44Z UTC

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Get Chase Freedom or Discover More card.

answered May 11 2012 at 20:06

kellylynn
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malamute · Answer 11 · 2012-05-11 20:47:56Z UTC

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I am shocked that no one has offered up "through your credit union" yet. Rates are usually VERY competitive.

answered May 11 2012 at 20:47

malamute
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Best Credit Card for modern, health-conscious Cavemen?

11 Answers