The Curse of the Credit Card

Brace yourselves.  It has been one month and twenty four days since I have used a credit card.  Seriously!  I have learned a hell of a lot about myself and the stores that I frequented in the last 55 days, and some of that wisdom I would like to impart on you. 

1.   I was a slave to Target.  Literally.  I. Was. There. Every. Day.   God only knows what I thought I needed to buy, but pulling out that Red Card and "saving" 5% on each purchase negated the fact that I was spending money at all.  My insides cringe now when I do go to Target and I use a debit card instead of my Red Card and they ask me at least 5 times if I am sure I don't want to save 5% by just using Lucifer's Red Card.  It's like an addict being asked if they are sure they don't want another fix.

as seen on someecards.com

2.  Target has a way of seeping into your soul.   They follow you.  They taunt you with their love.  I love their love.  I appreciate that they miss me.  I have received more "notifications" from Target than all my other texts combined.  "You have yet to activate your new Target Red Card"..."Your Cartwheel has unused savings"..."our mobile coupons are set to expire"...

3.   I bought a lot of stupid shit I didn't need.   I have not added to my collection of plastic storage containers nor added to the collection of things I need to store in my plastic storage containers in 55 days.  I am sure that my husband appreciates that the accumulation has stopped.

as seen on youtube.com

4.  I really don't need more exercise attire.  I bought new exercise clothing all the time.  I have about a zillion pieces of exercise clothing.  Most of the stuff I did buy was Old Navy quality.  I bitch and moan that my stinking exercise pants won't stay up while I am working out.  This is not because I am so skinny that they fall down.  It is because the quality of the attire is poor and it just rolls down over the muffin top and curves.  I pull up my pants about 1,000 times during a workout.  I am glad I haven't added any pieces to the flippin' wardrobe that doesn't even hold my parts in to begin with.

as seen on zulily.com

5.  I actually dip into the coupons that I spend so much time cutting out and filing on Sundays.  I got 2 free personal pan pizzas last night for dinner from Pizza Hut because I actually used the coupons I had in my "dining out" file!  Yay for me!

6.  It's the GREATEST feeling in the world to get a credit card bill that shows $0 in new purchases!

7.  I have come to the realization that when I am bored I tend to go out and spend money on things that I don't need and usually end up in the resale shop pile in a couple of months anyway. 

as seen on estate2.etsy.com

8.  The rewards points or dollars that you get with certain credit cards really are a joke.  For the amount of money that we've spent we get a $10 coupon to the store.  Really?  What the hell can you buy for $10 at Ann Taylor Loft?  It is a rouse to get you into the store to apply your $10 coupon to the purchase of one $50 shirt.  Well, since you are there you might as well buy more than just a shirt.  Why not a sweater and jeans too?  So you saved $10, but ended up spending $150 anyway.  Smart move, Loft,  Smart move.

as seen on refinery29.com

9.  My wallet is lighter, less complicated, and generally easier operate.  Trying to dig through 10 credit cards to find the Gap Silver Card is not even an option.  Look for the red debit card.  If you don't have the money for it you can't buy it.  Simple as that.

10.  My monthly receipt file at the end of the month is half of what is was before. Literally half.  That means I have spent at least half the money that I did before.  Eye opening.

There is at least a thousand more things that this exercise in control has taught me.  Lots if it is embarrassing...mostly that I so needlessly spent money on unimportant things.  A lot of it is learning about self control and realizing that you can live a simpler life when you are not continually adding to the piles of shit you already have.  My goal is to live one year credit card free.  No credit cards used at the grocery store, Target, Petco, QT, or any other place that I go on a regular basis.  This means not buying needless crap.  My kids hate it that they don't get Tic Tacs or Lego mini figures at the checkout line.  I know it is absolutely necessary to teach them that just because it's there doesn't mean they get to have it.  They don't get a reward for coming to the store with me.  Most importantly, I don't get a reward for going to the store with me.

Did I just put on my big girl pants?

as seen on buzzfeed.com