When you pay for food or gasoline, do you use a credit card or a debit card? Chances are, it’s debit. Payments made with debit cards surpassed those by credit cards for the first time last year and are expected to grow in 2010.

Debit cards offer the convenience of credit cards without the remorse that come from overspending. But they have their downsides, too. Here’s when a debit card makes sense:

You lack self-control. If your idea of heaven is spending the day at the mall, carrying a debit card will prevent you from buying things you can’t afford, says Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.

You hate surprises. When you use a debit card to make a purchase, money is automatically withdrawn from your bank account. That means it’s not necessary to worry about a bill at the end of the month, or interest rates, late penalties or over-the-limit fees.

Here’s when a credit card is the better choice:

You worry about fraud. Most credit and debit card issuers protect cardholders from being held responsible for fraudulent charges. But if someone steals your debit card and cleans out your bank account, you could wait up to 10 days to get your money back, says Adam Levin, co-founder of Credit.com. If you need money to buy groceries, he says, “those 10 days could be critical.”

You make a major purchase. Debit cards are fine for buying groceries or gas, says Bill Hardekopf, chief executive of LowCards.com. But for big-ticket items, he recommends a credit card: If the item turns out to be defective, you can dispute the charge.

Your credit needs work. Using debit cards won’t enhance your credit score, Cunningham says; purchases aren’t reported to the credit reporting agencies. Of course, credit cards will help your credit score only if you use them responsibly.