SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

I know it sounds stupid but I'm having difficulties grasping my around just stopping. We have a small balance and want to get away from using the card and continue to pay the balance off.

Any tips?

ETA: We do have Netflix, so that will help keep the card active and it's only $15/month.

Message edited 3/7/2009 9:51:41 AM.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

Cut them up!

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

Don't carry them with you.

I cut up a few of my cards, and others I simply put in our safe. I have to think 2x before I decide to use them. The credit lines ARE still open and I will have my husband buy something small every now and then (he is way more disciplined than me) just to keep the line active.

I've also gotten in the habit of carrying cash on me. I have an 'allowance'. When I was using debit or credit cards it was way too easy for me to spend 5 bucks here or 10 bucks there .. and it added up quickly. Now I can see REAL TIME what I spend. I watch that money go down and I think before I spend it.


ETA: I DO have a citi rewards card that I use fairly consistantly - but it is always for things that I NEED - gas, food, etc.. I use it because since I HAVE to spend that money I may as well get some small benefit from it. I am RELIGIOUS about paying off that balance in almost real time though. Like - I go to the store and spend 150 and I get home and have my bank pay CitiCards 150 right away... I have sent payments to them up to 5x in a single month!

Message edited 3/7/2009 9:47:56 AM.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

Put it away or cut it up and only carry a debt card.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

I leave them at home.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

you can't use if you don't have so shred them.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

Leave them at home. Preferably in a drawer.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

I took all but one out of my wallet.

I use the debit card almost exclusively now. I also started writing down everything I spent every day and now my spending mentality is different.

So 80% of what I buy is on my debit card.

I have noticed surprisingly enough that I have more money in the bank than I ever did. I'm spending less.

It's all mental.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

I know people who have literally put them in a container of water and frozen them. You still have it in an extreme emergency, but yet not easily accessible.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

try and convince yourself that if you can't pay cash or use your debit card, you shouldn't be buying it.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

Take the card wrap it in a dark colored paper and then freeze it in a block of ice. Remove the numbers from any autosaved purchases i.e. amazon, pay pal. Stop using it and when you really need it it will take a bit of time to defrost so you can think about the purchase.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

Cut the cards and transfer the netflix deductions to a debit card. Do a budget, in addition to basic expenses include categories for clothes shopping, lunch/breakfast, eating out, auto maintenance, etc

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

CUT THEM UP!!

my shredder does cc's
i threw them all in there

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

I refuse to cut up my credit cards and sacrifice the rewards. Have your cake and eat it too.

Try this method:

What I do is I use my CCs for almost EVERYTHING.

If I make a $50 purchase at the grocery store, when I get home I fire off a billpay to my CC and pay them $50.

Tomorrow if I get a $25 oil change, when I get home i'll fire off a $25 payment.

At the end of the month, I typically have about 20-30 different charges, and 20-30 different payments.

I absolutely love this method for these reasons:

- You get your CC rewards. I have a 2% cash back card ALL purchases so that adds up quickly (along with a different card that has 5% gas cash back).

- You avoid the big CC bill at the end of the month because all your charges are "paid for" (which is the reason people like to use debit cards).

- When you make your bill-pays, the money is pulled from your checking account so (like a debit card) you can really see how much cash you have and if you can afford this purchase or not.

- As you are paying for each charge, you can say to yourself "was this purchase really necessary". Examine it. You will be ****** off if you bought an unnecessary $20 item when you have to go home and pay that sucker the next day.

- You get CC PROTECTION which is WAY BETTER than debit card protection. Chargebacks are easier. Fraud protection is better. Mis-charges and Double-Charges (like at gas stations and restaurants) are easier to deal with because the funds wouldn't be taken from a liquid account

I hate using debit cards and I only use them on ultra small purchases to satisfy my reward account requirements.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

Posted by rojerono

ETA: I DO have a citi rewards card that I use fairly consistantly - but it is always for things that I NEED - gas, food, etc.. I use it because since I HAVE to spend that money I may as well get some small benefit from it. I am RELIGIOUS about paying off that balance in almost real time though. Like - I go to the store and spend 150 and I get home and have my bank pay CitiCards 150 right away... I have sent payments to them up to 5x in a single month!

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

We only have one because it is good to keep one card. It has a zero balance. It is an AMEX. Our previous cards - cut up, we called and had them canceled, and that was that! We cut them up first, paid off the entire balances and haven't used anything since! We track all of our spending - use our debit for anything and keep a budget for all of our living expenses and what we 'allow' ourselves as extras. We NEVER use the one CC we have for anything unless it is an emergency and we absolutely have to -- we leave it at home in our safe.

Re: SPINOFF to the debt questions-Any advice on how to STOP using the credit card?

Also - we immediately shred any future offers we get in the mail!

That's key!