Being paranoid for all the right reasons, I was never mad about getting 
a credit card, but today I found the perfect solution.

I went into Halifax here in Ireland and I opened two accounts: one 
savings account and one current account.

Into my savings account I put all my money for going away, and I put 
nothing into my current account.

For my current account, I get a VISA debit card that works exactly like 
a normal credit card (it's VISA after all).

When I actually want to make a purchase with the VISA card, I use 
internet banking to transfer money from my savings account to my current 
account, (which happens instantly), and then I make the purchase on the 
card.

So if my card gets robbed or skimmed or anything, there's nothing the 
thieves can do with it because my current account is empty. Strangely 
enough, Halifax are the only bank here in Ireland that do such a 
service, and I think it's absolutely fantastic :-D

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