We have let all of our credit cards expire. We got the new ones in the mail and I put them somewhere to remember and now guess what-I can't find them! I'm shocked at myself for feeling freaked out that I don't have a credit card to fall back on! We have a good amount of credit card debt thanks to that "fall back" way of thinking. Maybe I shouldn't renew any of them...or just one for emergencies.

My idea, (and my new way of thinking) is that you don't need a credit card for anything, especially emergencies. Keep one until you can muster up a couple thousand dollars, then get rid of it. Do it as quickly as possible, so that in case that "emergency" pops up, you have the cash to cover it. Also, this thinking really makes you re-evalutate what are emergencies and what aren't. It's much easier to "justify" putting things on a credit card, rather than spending your cold hard cash on them. This way, you stay out of debt. JMHO.

I understand just how you feel. We rarely ever use credit cards, but I can't image not having them. What if there was an emergency? I'm getting ill just thinking about it. I am a worrier by nature though. I have always had a savings acount since the age of five and there is a good deal of money in there let me tell you. But I just can't imagine not having that credit card back-up!

Jessica

Dh and I still both have credit cards and I was sickened today when I opened the bills and saw that we are paying over $100 in finance charges on each card a month. Earlier today I happened to call another company to transfer balances. I will be keeping my eyes on the statements each month.