Fat Chances

The Risk: CREDIT CARDS

Your plastic may be affecting more than just your credit score. Visa conducted a study of 100,000 fast-food restaurant transactions and found that people who pay for their food with a credit card spend 30 percent more than those who pay with cash. Opt to swipe and you could end up with a double quarter-pounder with cheese and a large Coke instead of a quarter-pounder with cheese and medium drink. For the average women, who visits a fast-food restaurant once a week, that adds an extra 17,160 calories, or 4.9 pounds, per year.


IMPROVE YOUR ODDS

If you must hit the drive-thru, pay cash. You're likely to spend less. Better yet: Go home and make a sandwich. It'll be better for your body and wallet.