People are always shocked to hear I don't have a debit card, but I think it's a no-brainer for 6 reasons

• When I tell people I don't have a debit card, they're always shocked.
• But I find using credit is safer, more convenient, and helps me earn rewards that debit cards don't.
• The only hassle is planning ahead to get cash, either from my bank or when checking out at a retail store. I don't need cash often, though, so it's not enough to make me get a debit card.
• See Business Insider's picks for the best rewards credit cards »

When I tell people I don't use a debit card, they give me this look like I'm utterly crazy. "You don't have a debit card?" they ask me incredulously. "How do you get by?"

I literally do not own a debit card. I never have. I use credit cards instead. There are many debit card risks people fail to think about, and it may not be the best choice for you financially. To the dozens of people who have asked me, "Why?!": This post is for you.

1. Credit cards provide better security

What happens if you lose your debit card and don't figure it out for awhile? What if someone figures out your PIN? If theft were to occur, someone has direct access to your bank account (and everything in it). It's much harder to prove fraud with a debit card, and much more debilitating should something terrible happen.

If fraud occurs on a credit card, I simply dispute it. If I see any suspicious activity (I've had multiple double charges this year) I simply flag it and let the credit card company handle it.

In a bigger city, your own physical security is something to consider. I don't like the idea of carrying a ton of cash in my wallet, and potentially being mugged or having my purse stolen. If I were to lose my purse because of my own negligence, I can just cancel my credit cards - I don't have to worry about losing a significant amount of cash.

Lastly, some credit cards also provide extended purchase warranties, which means if something happens to the product you bought - such as it broke unexpectedly or was stolen - they will reimburse your purchase. Now that's service.

2. I don't want to pay ATM fees

Ever been in a pinch and needed to use a non-bank ATM? If you're not careful, ATMs can charge you a lovely fee for getting your own money out (which has always seemed crazy to me - I have to pay you to get my money?) ATM fees are pretty hefty. I've seen them as high as $2 per withdrawal up to $7. That is ridiculous.

By not using a debit card, I don't have to worry about ATMs at all. I hardly ever go to a merchant that doesn't take a credit card, and I can always adjust my plans if need be. If I need cash for something, I withdraw it from my account ahead of time, usually through cash-back at a checkout. Be careful, though! Some merchants are starting to charge for cash back during retailer checkout, so make sure to read the fine print before you take out the $20 at the end of your purchase.

3. I earn rewards with my spending

When I put everything I buy on my credit cards, I can rack up huge cash back and travel rewards. I don't even have to think about it, and the rewards just stack up. It's another form of free money, y'all.

After signing up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card this year, I was able to earn tens of thousands of points I will later redeem for travel, cash, or other amazing perks. Most credit cards have some form of rewards and if you're a responsible credit user and pay off your card every month, this is like extra free cash.

The Reserve gives me 3x points on all my travel and food purchases, and each point is worth 1.25 cents toward travel when you book through Chase. To put that in perspective, let's say you had 50,000 points earned in rewards and you wanted to purchase a plane ticket through Chase - that's equal to a $625 plane ticket or hotel room.

Great travel cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve also provide extra rewards such as no foreign transaction fees and premium car rental insurance when you're traveling abroad. It means that if I get into an accident while traveling (hopefully never) I don't have to report it to my primary car insurance, because Chase acts as my primary instead. It could literally save me hundreds of dollars in car insurance premiums.

4. I'm building credit every month

A great credit score is your window to every financial opportunity. By using a credit card responsibly (paying your bills in full, on time, and utilizing 30% or less of your credit limit), you can begin to increase your credit score and set yourself up for better financial opportunities.

I got my first credit card when I was a teenager, and now have a great score (795). This score helped me get a lower interest rate for a car loan or mortgage, and will set me up for more success down the line.

Credit scores are basically your adulting GPA with the banks, rental companies, and even sometimes employers. It shows that you can pay your bills on time and don't overspend what you can afford. Think of it as a well-researched paper or a test you did a lot of preparation for.

5. I can easily track my purchases

I find it so much easier to track and understand my spending when I see it all broken down for me on my credit card statements every month. There is little to no cash in the equation, so I can see exactly where and when my money went. This helps me understand where my money is going at all times and how far under or over budget I am.

I also connect my spending with other money tools such as Charlie and Personal Capital, which together give me a comprehensive understanding of where I am with my financial goals.

6. I've never really needed a debit card

My parents have never had a debit card (I know, right?!) and instilled this in me. If I need cash - usually for a trip - I go to the bank and withdraw the money from my account. Almost every business takes credit cards anyway, but I always keep about $20-50 of cash on me, just in case of emergencies. When I travel, I usually carry more for security, which I withdraw from my bank before I leave.

Most places in the US take some form of card, which makes a debit card unnecessary most times. Payment technology is constantly changing and some places take payments in the form of Apple Pay, Google Pay, and card tapping payments. Unless you're going somewhere remote, you're most likely not going to need a debit card.

That said: There is one downside

Sometimes, you just need cash. And when a bank is closed (or you only online bank), have fun getting access to your funds.

One suggestion is to keep a small stash of cash someplace secure where you live. You never know when you might need cash for an emergency, plus cash advances from credit cards are crazy expensive.

A debit-card-free lifestyle may not be for everyone, but it's worked wonders for me. It's another way to make your money work for me and not the other way around. It provides me more security, I find myself better with money, and I get cash back or miles for every single purchase I make - and that's a serious win in my book.

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