"Will that be cash, check, debit, or credit?" This lesson plan explores the difference between these. What is the difference? Is using credit the same as paying with cash? Or by check? Or by debit card? Some young people believe that using credit is the same as paying with cash. In fact, some young people believe that all you need to make purchases is a credit card. It seems as if a credit card can pay for anything-and everything. But how you pay for things does make a difference. In this instructional activity, you will learn how using credit differs from paying in cash, by check, or by debit card. You will learn why credit has costs, and what the influences are that affect the cost of credit.