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Debit and credit cards both have advantages and disadvantages, so in the end it comes down to what you’re most comfortable with. Here are some of the features and potential drawbacks of each.

Debit cards can be beneficial if you prefer to pay cash but don’t like to carry cash with you. This is because when you use your debit card the money comes directly out of your checking account. If they are stolen, most debit cards now limit the amount you can be held liable for once you’ve notified the bank. They are good for people who want the convenience of a credit card without the temptation to spend more than you actually have, especially since they are generally accepted the same places credit cards are. You may also be able to earn points, perks, or cashback by using your debit card, if you get one from a bank that offers such a promotion. But, there are a few drawbacks to debit cards. The biggest one is that if there is a problem, either with the use of the card or with an item you’ve bought with it, chances are that it’s up to you to resolve it. The bank probably won’t go to bat for you on your behalf, although there may be some exceptions. You must also safeguard your PIN, since anyone with the number can use your card. A smaller drawback to debit cards are that if you use them to guarantee a hotel room or to leave a deposit when renting equipment, merchants will sometimes put a hold on a fairly large sum of money, making that money unavailable in your account until the hold is cleared. That’s fine if you have a large balance and don’t need access to the money, but otherwise it could be a problem.

Credit cards, on the other hand, generally do have extra protections that come with them. If you have a problem with a charge or with something you’ve purchased, you can usually dispute it and the credit card company will attempt to resolve the situation between you and the merchant. (This doesn’t mean that if you change your mind that you can just say you didn’t buy the item though — chargebacks are a nightmare from the merchant’s point of view, especially ones that are done without good reason.) Credit cards often also come with rewards programs which can earn you cashback or free gift cards. They are also accepted at a few places that debit cards sometimes aren’t, such as for a car rental. However, like debit cards, there are a few drawbacks to credit cards. The biggest one being interest. If you don’t pay your balance in full each month, you’ll be charged interest, which can range anywhere from just over 0% to 30% or more. That’s a huge drawback, because you could be paying up to 30% more for every item you buy — but not just once: you’ll pay again and again month after month until you finally pay it off. If you only make the minimum payments and have a balance of several thousand dollars, it could take you DECADES to pay it off.

The bottom line is that you have to choose what’s best for you based on knowing your spending habits, willpower strength, and how important having extra protection might be to you. I used to be a debit card junkie until I ran into a snafu with one relating to an unauthorized charge. Now I do something that so far seems to combine the best of both worlds: I use a credit card for everything, and have the balance paid automatically in full from my checking account each month. So, it’s sort of like a delayed-debit card with the extra protection of credit.