Well, I feel pretty good and light right now. I just closed five, that's right 5, credit cards because they had no balance. That, for us, is amazing.
I know, I've heard that closing accounts can damage your credit just as much as not paying your bill on time but they were in my name and not in Joe's. My credit has always been in the pits because I'm terrible with cards. FREE MONEY!! Haha. They really aren't but when you have that shiny card in your hand and whatever item your staring at in the store instantly becomes attainable, it's just so hard to say, NO! Stick that card back in the secret pocket of your wallet and walk away. I have never been blessed with that little voice when it comes to spending money.
You sort of get this little high when you spend money on a credit card. You have all these new things and they're all so shiny and pretty - or noisy and transform-able if I'm buying things for the boys - but sadly, that high disappears shortly after you get home and you realize you're going to have to pay for these items in the next few weeks with interest. It's almost heart breaking. I have no idea why I continued to do this to myself and our bank account over, and over, and over. It's kind of like an addiction. Once you start its oh as hard to stop.
Why am I posting this you might wonder? Maybe for some accountability. Maybe for a reality check? Maybe to know I'm not the only one with a spending problem... I don't know. Maybe I just want to get it out so I can learn and move on.
Those cards are closed now and pose no more temptation. I hope to move on, grow up, learn from mistakes and experiences so I can enjoy life more instead of dreading paying those bills each week.
We now have one credit card to each of our names, Joe's has a much larger limit and is an active card. Mine is in the 3 digit range and the card is currently locked so I can't use it, hahaha. It feels good to eliminate debt. Really good. Almost better than spending money! Almost...
We're down to a few medical bills now, bills that we can pay off in a few months and we have affordable health insurance that will actually pay for medical bills now. Things are really looking up and I'm so excited for what the future holds.
For now, I will say goodbye to my Children's Place card, Kohl's, Discover, Chase, and Dressbarn. You will be missed but you're interest rate won't!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
debt
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5 comments:
WAY TO GO!!!
That's awesome, I am proud of you for closing 5 cards! I have the same problem and it started when I was only 18 and managing a store in the mall. It was the mid 80's and every store offered "instant credit". I had cards to nearly every store in the mall. After Ashleigh was born I just couldn't keep up and ended up filing bankruptcy over all my cards. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I still struggle with the ease of pulling out plastic and the instant gratification, so now I only have a couple of cards with low limits.
I agree paying them off feels ALMOST as good as using them, but WAY better than getting the bills every month. Good job!
you guys are awesome! we are trying to accomplish the same thing with two cards. you have given me hope! :)
That's awesome! Good work! I know those feelings, especially the dread of knowing your paycheck is already spent! Congratulations, that has to feel amazing!
Natalie, So proud of you! We got so close to being out of debt a couple of years ago, and then ran them up a little again, I say close them!!!!! Good for you, I have a couple I can't wait to say adios to! I'm paying now ;)
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