Think I need to freeze my M/C again...

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Think I need to freeze my M/C again...
1
Thu, 12-01-2005 - 12:45pm

I think my Mastercard needs to go for another swim - in the freezer!

See, after I got my compulsive spending problem under control a couple of years ago, I put my M/C in a cup of water and stored it in the freezer. That way, I knew it was available (whenever I cut up a card in the past, I always ended up calling the company to get a new one within a matter of weeks), but it wasn't sitting in my wallet itching to be used. Combined with my "at the end of my rope" determination, it worked beautifully.

Well, last summer I thawed it out, because I was asked to be a bridesmaid in a wedding and I needed to order my dress by the first week of August. I didn't have $200 in cash, so I put it on the M/C. No big deal, that can be paid off relatively quickly. But I forgot to put it back in the freezer. Then my DF proposed on Sep. 3rd, and 2 weeks later I went wedding dress shopping. LOL! I ended up buying a dress on sale for $599 - on the M/C of course. I justified the expense by telling myself it's my wedding gown for godsakes! AND it's on SALE! Then I bought some hockey tickets for DF's birthday. And last weekend I charged the cost of the alterations on that original bridesmaid dress. And on Tuesday I made a $40 purchase on the internet. You see where this is sadly going.... like a recovering alcoholic, it's so easy to just slip back into it.

I have a plan all laid out in an Excel spreadsheet to get that stupid thing paid off, AND catch up on my savings (I was putting all my extra cash onto the M/C), by the end of this month. It'll work, though cash will be extremely tight, but that damn card is going straight back into the freezer TONIGHT!!!



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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Thu, 12-01-2005 - 1:10pm
Hi, Unicorn. Well, I too have to put the cards away. The credit union account (debit card) is deep in the drawer. If I would have left it alone, I would have about $1500 in there.:( Now, it is a meager $200. The Discover card---I ran it up another $900. During Thanksgiving, etc. That is out of the wallet also. I have been good in other ways----I set up the online banking so I can see at a glance where the $$ went. Plus, I havent had overdraft problems anymore. Havent been going out with GF's out to eat, or whatever. Or, to Las Vegas! So, instead of lumps of coal, DH is getting me a Kitchenaid mixer for the holidays. Whiz.