5 Everyday Expenses You Should Never Put on a Credit Card in 2026

5 Everyday Expenses You Should Never Put on a Credit Card in 2026 It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Image source: Getty Images. Credit cards are one of the most common ways we pay for stuff these days. Tap, swipe, done -- it almost feels the same as using a debit card. But under the hood, credit cards come with way more risk and extra fees if you're not careful. The interest rates are no joke. If you don't pay off your balance in full, those charges start racking up, and they compound every single day you carry them. And once you fall behind, it's surprisingly easy to stay stuck there. Truth is, you can put almost anything on a credit card. But that doesn't mean you should . Here are five everyday expenses you shouldn't pay with a credit card. 1. Pulling cash from the ATM A "cash advance" sounds innocent enough. But it's actually one of the worst moves you can make with a credit card. When you use your card to grab cash from an ATM, the interest kicks in immediately . There's no grace period. And the APR on cash advances is higher than the regular APR for purchases -- sometimes 30% or more! Even worse, most cards tack on an upfront fee of 3% to 5% of the withdrawal amount, plus ATM charges. All said and done, that $300 you withdraw might cost you $25 just to borrow for a few days. Even in a pinch, there are better ways to access short-term cash. A personal loan or even using a bank with no overdraft fees can work out better. 2. Gambling and lottery tickets Hey, I'm all for the odd scratcher or lottery ticket just for fun. But there's a difference between throwing $5 cash at a dream and swiping your credit card mindlessly out of habit. In some states, it's legal to buy lottery tickets or fund online betting accounts with a credit card. But many issuers treat these transactions just like cash advances, which we just covered. And even if your card doesn't code it that way, using borrowed money to gamble is a slippery slope. The odds are already against you when gambling. So adding debt to the mix just stacks things even further in the house's favor. 3. Bills that charge a 2%+ surcharge You've probably noticed more businesses adding credit card processing fees at checkout. A 2.5% surcharge on a $1,000 payment is nearly $25 down the drain. Some people justify the surcharge by saying, "At least I'm earning rewards!" But unless you're using a card that earns more than the surcharge percentage (most people aren't), the math usually doesn't work in your favor. Instead, just pay with your debit card or cash. Or if you must use a credit card, make sure your card is pulling its weight with rewards. Some cards offer unlimited 2%...

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