A Late Friday Night Thought: Want To Get Robbed?

As I lay in bed, my thoughts turn to getting mugged. Because that’s how my brain works.

Think about this: imagine you are walking down the street carrying $65 in your pocket. A guy walks up to you with a gun and threatens to shoot you on the spot if you don’t give him your money. A chill runs down your spine and you slowly reach into your pocket, pull out your $65, and hand it to him. He runs off.

The next month, you are depressed because of the $65 loss from last month. But you’re carrying $67 now. The exact same guy comes up to you, pulls the gun, and you hand it to him.

Next month, you’re carrying $70. Now the guy just walks up to you and you hand it to him without thinking.

And the next month. And the next month.

This is the story of what I do every month. I have a Visa bill that is sky-high and an interest rate to match. Every month, I get charged about $65 or so on that balance. Oh, and I have another credit card too, with an even higher balance. Every month, I have to kiss well over $100 in interest alone on these accounts, just because I’m carrying a balance on them.

I’ve heard people say that using a credit card is safer because you wouldn’t want to be robbed when you’re carrying cash, but it looks to me like you’re getting robbed worse and more often with the credit card companies. And the worst part about it is, after a while, you don’t even notice it. You just accept it and go on with your life.

Is that sad or what?

  • Mateo1041

    Great post. Debt is killing this country. It's amazing how good it feels to get rid of debt and live life simply. We unfortunately live in a society of instant gratification and that goes for both us as individuals and as high as government. One really doesn't need much of what is taken for granted now in days.

  • sara

    If you want to get out of debt for good, we have been following Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps (http://www.DaveRamsey.com). His advice is awesome, and the books are empowering!

  • http://adventure-some.com/ Adventure-Some Matthew

    Great post! I love your description, it really gives a good perspective of what credit cards can do to you. My wife and I have no credit cards, and no debt besides our school loans (and a plan to get rid of those). It's amazing how good it feels when you buy something, or go on a trip, or do anything involving money, and know that it's paid for and done with. You don't have to worry about coming up with the money at the end of the month. If an emergency comes up, we've got some money set aside for that (it didn't take long, just the willpower to do it), and it's quite a relief to look at our savings account and know that we're prepared. Our choice to not get any credit cards was a fabulous one!

    I've read through Dave Ramsey's books (picked up for free from the library) and there's a lot of good advice in there.

  • PracticalNerd

    Good to see you again, Matt! I hear a lot of people talk about how they
    “manage” debt and they “need” debt, and it frustrates me. We never used to
    live like this, right?

  • PracticalNerd

    It's funny that you mention this, Sara! My fiance and I just started
    Financial Peace University last week at my church, and we are a little over
    halfway through Baby Step 1. Great minds think alike! Thanks for the tip!

  • PracticalNerd

    Matthew, our biggest goal is to have the wedding and honeymoon paid for by
    our wedding day. We're so excited at the thought of not having to worry
    about paying off ANY of it. Thanks for the feedback!

  • http://adventure-some.com/ Adventure-Some Matthew

    That's an awesome goal! If there's anything that I can do to help you out with that, just let me know!

  • PracticalNerd

    Thanks Matt! Gee, we have a lot of Matts on here…

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