It’s been about four hours since I said I’m done using credit cards for things that I really don’t need. I want to use them for emergencies only. It’s going to be hard but I know I can do this.
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Here’s a few ideas to help reduce CC use.
Delete CC numbers from autocomplete in your browsers/apps.
Freeze physical cards in a block water. If you want to use em, let em thaw; gives you time to think.
Close accounts you don’t absolutely need.
Save money for emergencies, use credit as last resort.
You can do it!
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Thank you so much for the feedback! I really appreciate it.
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This works.
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I just deleted my credit card info on Chrome!
This is a HUGE step for me. I’m really proud of myself. I won’t lie, though: I’m having a little bit of anxiety. I know I did the right thing but having anxiety really stinks.
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When I got my first credit card I maxed it out pretty quick. It stayed maxed out for years. I paid it off with some inheritance I received but it was soon again maxed out. I would pay enough each month and it would be maxed out again quickly. I only had the one credit card though. A few years back, I got another one for amazon purchases. My goal was to put all my purchases from amazon on there and see what I was spending. Spoiler- I was spending too much! I didn’t max that one out but I had a pretty god balance.
I heard of people trying to go on no spending sprees. One person made it a whole year with only buying the necessaries. I decided to try it. I only made it a week my first go. Long story short, my credit cards are paid off and stay that way after years of work. I really do only use them for emergencies or big purchases that we need. If I don’t have the money in my bank account I don’t get whatever item I was thinking about. Sometimes I put things on my amazon wish list and go through it later. Almost all of the stuff I didn’t need when I put it on the list and I delete it.
Welcome to the community!! You can get control of your credit card use. I believe in you!!
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Congratulations and thank you very much!
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I maxed out several gas cards buying wine when my bank account was broke. I finally called a Consumer Credit Counseling Service and made an appointment. I signed a contract four or five years ago with them to pay off 10 or 12 credit sources. Then all the money I was saving by not drinking went into a savings account to pay debts only. I got a call from the counseling service about two months ago and they said I had paid off my contract…over $20,000 in debt!!!I
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Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story!
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I grew up pretty poor. I had nice gifts for birthdays, Christmases, etc, but when it came to having a candy bar on a Sunday afternoon during the spring, I knew not to ask since we were on a budget. I was mostly raised by my late grandmother and she did the best she could budget wise.
I remember she would tell me off and on never own a credit card because they’re no good. I don’t know if she was speaking from personal experience or heard the horror stories surrounding credit cards. She never said, but I think she was speaking from personal experience.
Fast forward decades later, I got my first credit card. I remember the sheer thrill of holding it in my hand, thinking of where I should spend it.
“This is awesome! I can finally have the things I want!,” I thought to myself. Needless to say I spent it on petty stuff and spent all $300 in just a couple of days.
I always payed more than the minimum payment every month, so to me that was an added bonus. I quickly started applying for credit cards left and right, getting rejected every single time. I was told to be patient, don’t apply for 6 months and I’ll get more offers.
I did, and it happened. I ended up getting 3 more credit cards. The same rush came over me every time. Just knowing that it was in my wallet was a thrill. As soon as I put money on my cards, I would immediately spend it.
Now it’s to the point where I wish I listened to my grandmother about the cards. She was absolutely right. They’re no good. It’s to the point where I can only pay the minimum payment every month. I never missed a payment, but still it’s overwhelming.
Four days ago I put all of my credit cards in a sealed envelope and gave it to my mother. I told her it’s not to be given to me except for emergencies, which I couldn’t use them for that anyway because of the little money I have on them.
It’s amazing how addiction can really get a hold of you. You don’t wake up one day and say, “Gee, I wonder what I can do to make my life a living hell?” It will always be a struggle, and I’m okay with that. There’s nothing wrong with admitting you’ve made a mistake and asking family for help.
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Good that you’re attempting to get them under control. The interest adds up so quick unless you pay them off each month.
Years ago when a business I was working for closed down I started paying bills with credit cards. It’s when the alcoholism went to the next level so I was using them for that too. I was paying credit card bills with other credit cards lol. Eventually I was in so deep the CC bills were more than my house payment. The only way out I could see was filing for bankruptcy.
That stays on your record for 11 years. The only good thing about it is no one wants to give you credit cards anymore.
I think they’ve done some policy revisions over the years. No way should I have had almost $50k worth of credit cards as a poor early 20’s something. They continued upping my limit the more I spent and sending me more offers. One limit went from $5k to $25k overnight.
I guess the joke was on them when I went bankrupt and they had to eat it. Lessons learned all around.
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Thank you so much for sharing your story. We’ve got this!
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This gives me so much hope I’ve been racking my brain over debt and after reading your share I’m soo soo soo hopeful in ny situation and circumstances !!!