Why not cut up your cards? If that is how you can not use them anymore and you really want it badly enough, then do that. Years ago we went on a "cash only" basis. Cut up all our cards. Then, if I really, really wanted something I would have to save up for it. Chances are, after about a day or so, what you wanted to get isn't really something you wanted. At least in my case it was. I was an impulsive buyer "back in the day" and would buy just on impulse. Then I would start putting things back. I would still rack up a $100 bill in the end.
When we cut up our cards, it was hard. If I had a bad day and got $50 of stuff I felt guilty and thought "$50 could have paid for a nice dinner!" It was that kind of thinking that helped me stop spending in the end. Now we live CC free and CC debt free. I use my debit card for all purchases and if we can't get something right now, we wait and when we can pay cash, we get it then.
Good Luck to you! See a phsychologist isn't a bad thing. I saw a therapist shortly after my sons diagnosis of diabetes and she helped me greatly!
I would say cut them up and remove the temptation. It's like I can't be around chocolate because I will eat it until it's all gone. That's why I never even buy it because it's too much of a temptation. There is nothing wrong with you, just remove that temptation. I breath so much easier after I cut up all of our credit cards. If you don't have an e-fund yet, leave one card but freeze it. If more arrive in the mail (renewals), cut them up right away. Good luck. student.
Please don't beat yourself up about this behavior. Congratulate yourself on taking steps, like learning from this board and seeing a therapist, to change this behavior. I, too, have impulse-control difficulties. I know I can't resist a "sale". I, too, on occasion feel guilty about some purchases. I think we all do, to some degree.
I would be very interested to hear what your psychologist says about this issue. If you care to, please share what he/she says about it and what they suggest you do to curtail impulse spending.
Even if you cut the card up, you can get another one with just a phone call. I try to leave my cards in the desk drawer unless I plan to use one. I also try to stay out of my trigger stores as much as possible. Shopping can no longer be a leisure activity for me. I always try to shop with a list/store ad in the grocery too, to cut down on impulse purchases. I also grocery/Wal-Mart shop usually late in the evening, 10pm or so, when my little one is in bed and her older sis can be home. I always spend more when I take kids with me. I second the recommendation of a PP re: the emergency fund. Having that available has lessened my need to use a CC when an unexpected cash need pops up before payday.
Hi, Mommabean3. No, you are not alone in your impulsivity and accumulation. Yes, there are things that can help with it, but I think there was someone who said, pick up the item. What do you need it for? Is it necessary? Will it make the life easier? Why do you need it? Do you get a "rush" after you shop, then feel down? It's like the gambling thing I went thru awhile back. I had to literally not go there (casinos) with GF's and blow $$$. Again, the thing that stopped me cold was when a woman wanted to sell her jewelry as she was busy frittering away the $$$$ on the casino slots. The one thing that worked for me was to tell myself over and over I had to work X amount of hours to get Y amount of money. THAT put things into perspective. Whiz.
Why not cut up your cards? If that is how you can not use them anymore and you really want it badly enough, then do that. Years ago we went on a "cash only" basis. Cut up all our cards. Then, if I really, really wanted something I would have to save up for it. Chances are, after about a day or so, what you wanted to get isn't really something you wanted. At least in my case it was. I was an impulsive buyer "back in the day" and would buy just on impulse. Then I would start putting things back. I would still rack up a $100 bill in the end.
When we cut up our cards, it was hard. If I had a bad day and got $50 of stuff I felt guilty and thought "$50 could have paid for a nice dinner!" It was that kind of thinking that helped me stop spending in the end. Now we live CC free and CC debt free. I use my debit card for all purchases and if we can't get something right now, we wait and when we can pay cash, we get it then.
Good Luck to you! See a phsychologist isn't a bad thing. I saw a therapist shortly after my sons diagnosis of diabetes and she helped me greatly!
Lara
student.
Hi there... no you are not the only one.
lvhunnie2005
Please don't beat yourself up about this behavior. Congratulate yourself on taking steps, like learning from this board and seeing a therapist, to change this behavior. I, too, have impulse-control difficulties. I know I can't resist a "sale". I, too, on occasion feel guilty about some purchases. I think we all do, to some degree.
I would be very interested to hear what your psychologist says about this issue. If you care to, please share what he/she says about it and what they suggest you do to curtail impulse spending.
Even if you cut the card up, you can get another one with just a phone call. I try to leave my cards in the desk drawer unless I plan to use one. I also try to stay out of my trigger stores as much as possible. Shopping can no longer be a leisure activity for me. I always try to shop with a list/store ad in the grocery too, to cut down on impulse purchases. I also grocery/Wal-Mart shop usually late in the evening, 10pm or so, when my little one is in bed and her older sis can be home. I always spend more when I take kids with me. I second the recommendation of a PP re: the emergency fund. Having that available has lessened my need to use a CC when an unexpected cash need pops up before payday.
Momsacupcake
Lara
Hello Lara,
I too have had trouble controlling my spending with credit cards.
Sincerely,
Lindsey Schocke
Geeks on Tap: Mission Accomplished