Don't Take the Credit

Credit cards are used everywhere, including my new home nation of Panama. A couple years ago, a survey was taken of Panamanian women. They were asked if they used credit cards. 95% said no. When asked why, the response was "I don't want to go into debt." Excellent response.

When someone offers to loan you money, it is called "credit". When you accept it and you spend it, it instantly becomes "debt". Instantly! Words are emotionally powerful. They can change the way we act. Those cards you use to pay for things are not really "credit cards". They are debt cards.

There are few traps as powerful as debt and few traps that are more common. It is a complicated topic, if you want it to be, but don't ignore the power of simple words to change the way you act.

I have two debt cards and I use them when I need to. If I can't pay them off in one payment, I do it in two, but I don't let it go further than two payments. I didn't always do that. I thought they were credit cards. I know better now.

If you have "credit cards", then promise yourself one thing. You will never again call them credit cards. You will always call them debt cards and you will remind yourself of that every time you use the card to pay for something. Change your attitude and you can change your life.