The Debt Hamlet

Hamlet · Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 3

I do not understand the reason why people live beyond their means. When did it become so terrible to simply say that one cannot afford an item, or a trip, or an experience? When a promotion or advertisement uses phrases such as "you deserve it now” and "shouldn't you treat yourself", one should place a death grip on their wallet, and their self control.

These are predatory and seductive tactics used by advertisers to convince people to indulge in credit when they literally cannot afford the items advertised. They are used to lure "suckers" into getting something now, and paying later.

I have adopted a financial policy that if I cannot pay cash I cannot afford it. It is that simple. Of course, my debit card represents my cash at any given time, but as for credit cards, they are used strictly for emergencies, travelling, and business expenses. They are paid off immediately after they are used.

I have no car payments. My credit cards (I have only three, each is used in its fiscal category) are reduced to negligible levels at all times and I pay almost no fees or finance charges. This is only due to the philosophical approach that I have stated above. It is very, very liberating to give up an ideology of “disposable consumerism” or, the purchase of items that I don’t physically need, but purchase in order to fulfill an emotional requirement that perhaps temporarily bolsters my self esteem. I am better for it.

Try adopting this philosophy, I promise you, it will work.