Credit Cards Don’t Make This Noise
It’s amazing how quiet credit cards are! That is until the bills come…
I am not saying credit cards are responsible for my financial problems. It was me and my “I can pay that payment every month” stupid thinking. The minute we get that first little piece of plastic some of us become stupid.
The numbers say I have a high IQ, the bills say nope! I could be a genius, but not when it comes to finances. I am fully aware of what I should do and what I need to do, but that little piece of plastic sucks all logic out of my brain. How can an inanimate object do that to me, an intelligent, educated, wise, and don’t forget – old – woman?
Let’s take a little trip back to my childhood. I have alluded to the fact I wasn’t an only child. I had two older brothers, one 8 years older and the other 12 years older. I was the only girl, the youngest and by far, the princess. While my brothers grew up in the time my parents were struggling to put food on the table, by the time I came along things were improving. But then as my brothers got older each married at eighteen and moved out. (You probably know where this is going.)
And you would be right! At 14+ my friend’s house went up for sale. It was an older house, but I loved it. So, I went to work on mom and daddy. It didn’t take much, they bought it!
At 15 1/2 I got my first car, a 67 Camaro Rally Sport, blue with white racing stripes. I was too cool for school (yeah, literally – do the math, got married at 16, remember?). Along with the car came my first little piece of plastic and my parents paid the bill. It was just a gas card, but do you realize what kind of damage a 16-year-old can do with a gas credit card?
I was hooked on plastic after that. When I got married it didn’t stop. As long as I had that piece of plastic with my name on it, I controlled something. At least I felt like I did. In reality that piece of plastic controlled me. When my kids were small they believed that if you had checks you had money. I set them straight, but in my warped mind, plastic was different. As I said “I can pay that monthly”.
It is time for me to come clean – I still think that way about plastic! So embarrassing to admit this! But that is the lesson for this post – once you start, it’s like any other addiction, you can’t stop! Ask the millions of other Americans who are ass-deep in debt! Stupid, crazy plastic debt!
I recently cut up every credit card and plan on getting one for emergencies. However, emergency will be well-defined! Car problems, medical, etc. NOT new shoes, clothes, gifts, etc.
So now you have seen my biggest weakness, which has impacted all my marriages, my retirement, my credit score and most important – my self-esteem.
On to the next adventure I assume if you have gotten this far you have already had a cup of the Mad Hatter’s tea, so pour another and follow me!
Senior White Female 