What's the problem with credit, anyhow?

I'd like to start this session with a little personal story. Two months ago the sit up sheets went around for girl scout cookies. Being the awesome friend and daughter that I am, I decided to order two more than usual to give to my friend and my mom. So arrival day came and here I sat, with FOUR boxes of cookies. Quick outside lesson about myself 1. I'm not big on sweets in the sense they are not a daily or even weekly purchase for me. 2. I work a job with unpredictably long nights. Just so happens the day of the arrival of the deliciousness, work turned into one of those late nights. Guess how many of that first box survived the night? Less than half.

Now, knowing what you know about my lack of sweet tooth, what do you suppose was the cause of my cookie binge? Aside from stress (not uncommon and manageable by alternating dubstep and classical music) I had an endless supply of cookies. Why did I eat them rather than order salad with everyone else? Simple: because they were there!

Similar to the grass is greener on the other side syndrome, the minute your credit card tells you that you have $3000 to spend, you feel you have $3000-cash. Deep down, when you are debating between debit or credit you think "credit. I have more"

MEEEH!! Wrong sucker! You just offered to pay a company more than you're worth in repayment and interest for sh** you probably don't need in the first place. My net worth currently sits at negative few thousand (which has come down tremendously thanks to savings and paying down my student loans).
The fact I owe more than I am worth is something I am not fond nor proud of, but I at least happy to say I got an education worth more than I owe for it, so I'm not too worried about future.

Today amidst various political BS I heard the statement "Americans now owe more in student loans than credit card debt." And you idiots think that's a BAD thing? So I spent more on my education than my wardrobe or the car I might wreck after charging the nonfat latte I managed to spill in my lap - at least knowledge and social skills friendships business connections might get me a better job one day. Visa, Amex, MasterCard, and Discove will not.

If you have it ($3000 credit line) you will spend it, or more than you otherwise would. You'll think "that Chamanda is crazy, this isn't do bad!" and more cards you shall get..

A glass of milk goes nicely with cookies, but eventually the box and your friend's box and your mom's box will be gone, and the girl scouts have stopped selling and you are left with spoiled milk and no cookies.

Same to your wallet and your credit. Don't let your credit score become a half empty glass of spoiled milk. It smells bad, and it's hard to be friends with smelly people...

Budget Commandments

Lately I have been a little off... budget-wise, blog-wise, fitness-wise, you name it, it's off. But, lately I have been focusing on something a little bit different. Just recently I took a vacation and despite the word "vacation" and very much wanting to be happy and content, I noticed that not only was I neither happy nor content (despite giving myself an extra spending allowance to enjoy), but I was also brining down the entire mood around me. The Lorax inside me speaking for happiness everywhere struck out - something must be done.

 Inspired, while perusing the book selection at the airport, a title struck out at me: The Happines Project @ http://www.happiness-project.com/. Gretchen has 12 Personal Commandenments inspired by various moments of her life and happiness project, which led me to think, why not have 12 Spending Commandments? A quick list of reminders is just what I need to get my budget back on track.

1. Pay debt first
2. Every penny counts
3. Debt, Save, Give, Needs, Fun
4. Flex and be flexed
5. Hard work pays off.
6. Plan the splurge.
7. Needs > wants.
8. Give more.
9. Have a little faith.
10. Fun is free.
11. Home cooked > dining out
12. Credit = debt = bad idea.

- "my" money is not mine until I give back what I borrowed.
-if I budget to $0 including-"miscellanous" not a penny is wasted.
- in order from most to least important
- wiggle room is good, like expecting the unexpected so Im always prepared
- grades, budget,career, family.. you name it, and this is true.
- if I plan the splurge I can get the most bang for my buck - outlet mall on a holiday wekeend anyone??
- are my .. bills paids, car running, body working?
- I have been blessed because others gave to me, time to return the favor
- If I spend wisely and plan ahead, I know my needs will be met
-going outside, talking with friends, using my imagination -so much fun for $0!
- less on my waist more in my wallet, what's not to love?
- the temptation to spend when the credit is in my wallet is far greater than the discount coupons I get. I need to lock them up and throw away the key, lest I make the unplanned splurge.