Budgeting is a great way to plan your finances. A budget can show you your monthly income and when you get paid. You can then populate your budget with your outgoing expenses to determine what costs go out and when. The final balance will show what is left over. Therefore, this allows you to determine what you can afford. So, when there is something that you want or need to purchase and you do not have the money for it, you can then determine if you need to use your credit card. If you need to use your credit card, then you can budget for that too, to see when you can pay it off. Information is key. You should always make a budget plan and plan your credit card expenses accordingly. You should never just use your credit card and then figure how you're going to pay it off afterward. This way of thinking will set you up for a poor financial status situation.