How to Break the Credit Card Habit ?

I use credit card a lot and I think it's more convenient because I don't really have to bring loads of money out! And I have a point system in my credit card that I could redeem coupons afterwards and therefore it's much nicer to use it and gain some points. But I do set a limit for myself for each month and so I won't over-budget.

I don't own a credit card. I have a debit card because I don't believe in consumer debt. I have a mortgage on my home, but this is buying me an asset. It's not paying for frivolous things that have no value at the end of it all.

Indeed breaking the addiction of using credit cards is very hard. I have tried several times and after a few months, I am back in the cycle again. It must be as hard as quiting smoking or drinking. Its so easy in theory but so hard in reality. I am not a shopaholic, I usually use my cards for groceries or to charge utility expenses like electricity, cable and cellphone bills. I think that is what makes it hard for me to get out, I have a big overhead and I have done all I think is possible to cut down expenses without my kids having to make sacrifices too. By the term sacrifice, I meant them not having any biscuits or cookies to eat between meals when they are hungry. I can't bear the thought of them getting hungry just because I was not able to manage our finances well. They are also the primary reason why I am still at this fight, I want to be debt-free for them, so I can spend more time with them, not working and working so that I can make the credit card companies rich..

the best thing anybody can do with their credit cards are to cut everyone of them up & learn till u have the money for things u need not just what u want. i have seem alot of people get into big time trouble w/ them. my oldest son for one. i have neve used them & don't intend to start.

I had cut down to two credit cards. I had told myself when I started using credit cards that I wouldn't build the balances on them but stuff happened. It was really hard not to use my credit cards and now I regret using them the way I did so what I did was I took them out of my wallet so I would be forced to either use my debit card or not buy the item I want. It diffuses the temptation and I have to pay the balances on both cards. So once I pay them off, the cards will only be used as serious last resort.

I used to buy many unnecessary things and even luxuries that I couldn`t afford by paying with a credit card. I have to admit that credit card is safer than cash and even more convenient. But now,I use debit card instead. Then I willn`t worry about over-budget.

I agree with you. The only credit I have is a mortgage. No credit cards. I did however get a debit card, I get 10 cents back every time I swipe it! When I buy something, that is the last time I have to think about it. When the economy started taking a dive and interest on credit cards went up, I had no worries. My mortgage is a fixed rate. If I don't have the cash, I don't need it. I have lived this way for over 10 years.

Credit cards, simply should be left at home. They should be put away and forgot about unless it really needs to be used. I carry my credit card with me at all times but I've never, ever used it to buy anything. I don't see the point. I'd rather pay in cash. At least when I pay in cash, I know how much I'm spending and I see the actual exchange of money so I know that I'm actually spending money. I think people need to get into the habit of just taking the credit card out of their wallet and putting it somewhere they can't really see it. It's kind of like out of sight out of mind.

I am the opposite. If I have cash in my pocket, I am more apt to spend it. In fact the only way to avoid it, if I do need cash is to put it in my piggy bank (actually it is a glass bear) and just take out what I need for the day. With credit cards, I decide on that is how much I have to spend that month and try not to go over that limit and I do have the money in the checking account, or if not, my savings account and will transfer that over to my credit card account before it becomes due. You have to think of your credit card as a debit card and think that every time you buy something, you are deducting so much from your bank. Also only use credit cards that have a cash back (or) dividend or give points to buy something. Do not use one with an annual fee unless you are extremely wealthy and those sales will add up to more then that annual fee. Benefits is that you get a statement every month of what you spend. As for luxury items, they have to be less then your credit card limit. I do not like carrying cash around for another reason. I can always phone the credit card company or the bank if I misplace my card, but if I carry a lot of money in my purse, I have no recourse.

I hated the day i decided to get a credit card. I would want to finish all the balances and try to buy things in cash, theres really a lot of temptation that comes with using credit cards and i regret the day i abused it.

Your advise is sound, especially for people who carry a balance on their cards. I use a credit card for convenience and pay the entire balance every month. So I still have to think about what I can afford. I just like not carrying alot of cash and writing check seems to take longer.

Never had a problem in using credit card since the day it came into my purse. I think it's all about self control. I always have this thought in my head that whatever I buy with the credit card, I have to put it back at the end of the month. More so when the monthly statement comes, I must already have enough cash to pay it all up so that I owe the bank nothing and that they won't earn any money from me. The credit card must serve me and not the other way round. Using credit card can be convenient because we don't have to carry so much cash around. I am tupperware star consultant so whenever I go and take stock for my customers, I would use my credit card to pay first, Then after my customers pay me the money, I just go to the bank and bank in their money into my account. So in this way the credit card is working for me.