ARLINGTON, Va. -- Can the debit card, which has been widely praised as a substitute for frequent use of the credit card, actually promote overspending?

That is one of the questions that consumer advocates and financial planners are beginning to ask as debit cards continue to streamline the buying process and as some consumers find that using cash more has actually put a brake on their spending.

For some this has actually meant a return to more ATM use. Finding that use of the debit card was making spending too easy, they are now using ATMs to withdraw cash once a month and letting that cash represent their discretionary spending budget, according to some consumer advocates.

This is particularly the case with "contactless" debit cards, which do not even require a consumer to reach for their wallet or purse to make a purchase.

"Anytime a person feels that it's easy just to wave a card," said Deborah McNaughton, president of Professional Credit Counselors, in Brea, Calif. "The issuers are using their psyche to get more transactions. It's an impulsive, subliminal message: Spend, spend, spend."