Does cutting up the credit cards REALLY work? - Page 2

lamby248 · 05-07-2007, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathrynHannah

Putting them in a safety deposit box works or passing them on to a trusted friend or relative to keep in a safe spot can work too. You can still get access to it if you need it but it's much harder to get to.

I think you are on to something with the band-aid though. People get into credit card debt for many reasons, some of the really legitimate, basic food and medical to name two. But sometimes credit card debt stems from an emotional hurt where shopping / spending is used to dull the pain. In that case hiding the credit card will only delay the problem until it's dealt with at a deeper level.

I totally agree with this. I do think that cutting up the credit cards is better than icing them though. I have cut up my credit cards when they expire and the new one comes. Also a good way for me not to spend on mine, I don't call the 1-800 number to activate it. Believe me, I have been way tempted to call and get it activated for the "just in case" scenarios, but then think better of it.

It's true you do need discipline and if someone is serious about getting out of debt, cutting up the cards or whatever will work, but also encouragement from friends and family is good too.

My bil has offered to keep my cc for me, but I just didn't activate and am doing fine with it. It was a huge encouragement for me though that he would offer to keep it for me. I made my mind up that I was going to try on my own to take care of it. So far it is working.

crazykelly · 05-07-2007, 08:22 AM

you know what really, honest and truly works?

sitting down at the kitchen table at night, laying out all the credit cards, then laying out the stack of loans and bills you have and writing down, item by item, what you owe and to whom. after that dose of sober reality and clarity - you should then have a completely different view of those plastic "gates to hell"

if that doesnt make you take a deep breath and say "I need to grow up and get a handle on this" then you need to really figure out why you're spending your life away.

kikisian · 05-11-2007, 08:34 AM

I think being careful with your credit card take some willpower - however I would rather use my credit card to pay the bills and transfer the cash from my account to the credit card to do so.

However moving them out of your purse and leaving them at home does really help for me as with no cards in your purse I always find I will think twice about wanting to buy that item as it means I have to come again another day to get it.

Suzeecue · 05-11-2007, 05:56 PM

Well, if you cut up your credit cards, cancel your accounts, don't apply for new ones, and also pay off the debt that you incurred, yes, cutting up credit cards works. I have not had a credit card in almost ten years and only have a department store card. I have charged on my department store card two times in ten years, paying off as soon as I get the bill. It is a lifestyle change I think, I know I have to have the money in the bank for whatever purchases I make. This was a hard thing for my husband and I to learn at first, but it's something we don't even think about now.