I just got a call from my boss to let me know that my paycheck was withdrawn out of my account because he didn't have sufficient funds in his to cover my paycheck. The money should be redeposited this afternoon after he transfers some money around. As I'm sitting at my desk thinking crap is there enough money in my account to cover the checks I've written since I thought the money was there on Tuesday? I'm thinking I should be ok because I haven't paid bills yet. Which got me to thinking about credit cards and how easy it is just for me to charge something because there isn't enough money in my account to cover my wants for me and our DDs. Plus Xmas is coming and good deals on presents will come up I'll just charge them with the promise to myself that I will pay those charges when next payday rolls around. Sometimes I do sometimes I don't. Which brought me to another realization that I can't really control my spending. No I don't buy huge things but it's all the little things that add up and blow the buget that doesn't really exist. So I shredded my credit cards, it didn't hurt to shred the first one but the second one I just sat and stared at it thinking "what if I find a good deal on line how would I buy it? What if I get stranded somewhere I won't have anyway to pay for things!" These are really stupid fears going through my head because #1 if we really need it DH could go online and buy it for me I will just have to ask him to do it. Then he will know how much money I spend on dumb things. #2 I need to activate my debit card if I'm going somewhere. There really isn't a need for a credit card for me. DH has like a $12000 limit on his with a $600 balance. Is this kinda like what an addiction feels like those irrational fears going through my head, the need to look and find a good deal just to buy. Some on slap me!

Snap out of it momof4girls!!!!!

Personally i think it's good to get rid of those cards if you can't pay them off each month.

As long as your dh has a card you can use in emergencies it's good that you got rid of yours.

Congrats on taking control of your spending.

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Jodie....Wife to Andrew (1995)
Mommy to Riley (2000) and Wyatt (2003)

Good for you! I always say keeping them at home is enough for me.. then I need to return something so I have to grab my card in case they need it... then I end up keeping it in my wallet for a week or so while I go on a spending spree! Yikes - I need to shred mine too!

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I cut my credit card up last week. Unfortunately, I have the number and security code memorized.

I briefly heard Dr Phil talking about the cash method on his show. My parents are on the cash method, they live week to week. It is hard to give up the credit card once you have the luxury of not going without anything. Example: The portable DVD player I use in my Suburban broke so my husband spent $128 to keep the kids happy. We REALLY didn't NEED this but we had a credit card so we bought it.

I would love to do that except we end up having unexpected expenses and no cash to pay for them. Although we have cheaper monthly payments our house and vehicles are moneypits.

I totally feel your angst. I was the same way when I first decided to close/destroy all cc accounts. After the initial blow, it got easier.....eventually. I still have those "fears", but we have been cc free for 2 years now and have managed better than when we did have them.

Good on ya!!!!

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good for you!!! you can do it.. i hope you get your paycheck and make sure your boss gives you the reversal fee since it was his error... and if you don't get your check i would hit the pavement for a new job!

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SILENCE IS GOLDEN BUT DUCK TAPE IS SILVER.

Good for you!! Wow that took courage to do! Someday soon, I hope dh and I will finally take the big plunge and get rid of our too. It is scary ! We have definitely stopped charging on wants but it's those darn needs that keep you stuck! It's been a good three weeks for us not using credit . I did have to use it once to order dd's birth certificate ($25.00) on line but that couldn't be helped, there was no other way to get it. We will be paying that back with the next pay cheque.

I hope you get your pay cheque and your bills go through o.k.

DH and I had datetime yesterday so we went shopping foritems to finish out basement. We were lucky enoug hto find track lighting that was marked down from $99 to $15 a piece so we bought for. We also found a Dremel set marked down from $75 to $41 and I desperately wanted it so that we could fix some a laminate we installed last year. But because I didn't have a cc and hadn't balanced the checkbook I walked away. I'm going to see if I can find some items to sell and if the Dremel is still there I'll go back and get it if not oh well. Also I paid bills last night and some how DH and I got in the conversation about cc and I told hom I shredded mine and he didn't believe me. He said there was no way I could live without ccs. Boy do I have him fooled.