Breaking The Addiction To Credit

Are you ready to get out of debt?  Awesome.

Are you still using credit cards, even while trying to pay them off?  Not Awesome.

Here are my thoughts about breaking and addiction to credit –

Give Cash A Chance –

Instead of using your credit card for everyday purchases use cash. Try the envelope system and see how you do.

For three years, I’ve been using the envelope system.  I have seen a dramatic change in my relationship with money.

Many will object.  They’ll say, “I spend more with cash.”  I ask them to imagine the following scenario -  If I offered you one million dollars to go a month without using a credit card and only using cash, could you do it?  Of course.  It is possible.  Simply remove the fall-back of credit card use – and you are ready to master your cash.

Get Away From Negative Influences –

Is your life filled with people who love to spend money? Are you surrounded by people who spend more than they save? Are you listening to bad advice? Are you sick and tired of imitating the poor habits of others?

It’s time to move away from people who are infatuated with stuff and move towards people who are serious about saving money.

We are influenced by the company that we keep. Find people who are enthusiastic and supportive. Avoid situations where you feel pressured to spend money.

You are not what you drive – You are what drives you.

You are not where you live – You are what lives in you.

Imagine A Better Future –

Scenario One – You live paycheck-to-paycheck, always worried about how you are going to pay the next month’s bills, frustrated.

Scenario Two – You have a savings cushion in the bank and you live life looking for opportunities to help others.

Which scenario sounds better? Personally, I prefer Scenario Two.

I had to break the cycle of credit addiction.

For more than a decade, I lived under a cloud of debt.

Finally, I decided to deal with my issue.  I created a budget.  I learned to live on less that I earned.  I surrounded myself with positive feedback.  I took control.

Getting out of debt takes three things – a plan, money, and determination.  We must work hard for all three.