Debit cards offer greater safety than cash while helping maintaining a budget. Like checks, debit cards withdraw money immediately from your account - you're not borrowing from a card company. Like using cash, debit cards help prevent you from spending money that you really don't have. Remember, though, to enter debit purchases into your check register to keep track of your account balance. You don't want to pay fees for accidental overdrafts.
Most people end up using credit cards for at least some purchases.
If you do, try to use them wisely. Try to limit charges to bills that you can reasonably pay off in two or three months, before finance charges start piling up. Remember, when you have an outstanding balance on some credit cards, finance charges can start on the day of the purchase. If you have more than one card, use the one with the lowest annual percentage rate and best payment requirements for you. Try to use that card for all purchases.