When it comes to making purchases and bill payments, you generally have three options: cash, credit cards, and debit cards. They all have their benefits and downsides. Which option do you tend to use most often?

Today let’s take a closer look at debit cards, and try to help you figure out if they’re the best payment option for you. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when determining if debit cards are a good fit with your spending habits.

Do you have a tendency to build too much debt when using credit cards?

If using a credit card makes overspending difficult for you to resist, credit cards probably aren’t your best everyday spending option. But you can get similar convenience by using a debit card instead.

Is it convenient for you to carry cash for most routine purchases?

If you don’t mind carrying cash for your typical everyday purchases, and you like being limited to a set spending amount based on the cash on-hand, cash might be your best bet. But if cash isn’t convenient (maybe you don’t like to carry a wallet for example), a debit card might be better for you.

Do you make very large purchases frequently?

If you regularly make very large purchases of up to thousands of dollars at a time (such as for business expenses) you might have to rule out a debit card, at least for those expenses. Banks generally put a daily limit on how much you can spend using your debit card, so in that case a credit card might be the only option really available.

Are you bad about keeping records of cash purchases?

If you aren’t good about saving receipts or writing down cash transactions so you can track your spending for budgeting purposes, a debit card could be a good option. While you’re still only spending money you already have, your bank statement will automatically track your transaction dates, locations, and totals for you.

Do you expect to get perks or rewards?

If you want perks like free international travel insurance, debit cards might be a less expensive option than credit cards (although not all debit cards offer them). But if you want rewards — like frequent flyer points — you’ll need to stick with credit cards.

Keep in mind that the questions above are merely meant to serve as a guide. No single answer will tell you if debit cards are the right option for you. You need to weigh these things in relation to each other to determine which factors are most important in your case. Only then can you really choose the best way to pay.