Credit Card Myths

In keeping with the credit card theme, check out this article, brought to you by LearnVest:

5 Credit Card Myths You'd Regret Buying Into

Credit Cards: Good or Evil?

Here's a little fact about me:  By the time I was 23, I racked up a huge amount of credit card debt.  Like, $30,000 worth.  (Ugh, even writing that makes my stomach turn.  It's possible I've never admitted that before.)  It was awful.  I struggled just to make the minimum payments.  The worst part?  I had no idea where the money went.  There was absolutely nothing to show for it.  Except huge bills, ridiculous monthly interest charges, shame, embarrassment, and a headache.

The decision to stop spending was the easy part.  I scaled back my lifestyle and was able to move back home (embarrassing but true).  And, most importantly, I CUT UP MY CARDS.  Every single one.  I used my debit card exclusively for the entire time it took me to pay off the debt.  Which, btw, I did!  By 2009, when I was 28, I was 100% credit card debt free!!!!!!

Being in debt sucked.  No, it more than sucked.  It made me feel ashamed; it was my deep dark secret.  But the experience taught me a very valuable lesson:  Credit cards can be EXTREMELY dangerous.  I remember making my last payment and thinking "I will never, ever, ever get myself into this situation again."

Believe it or not, now I use credit cards ALL THE TIME.  Does that surprise you?  Did you think I'd be too traumatized to go back?  Well, I was traumatized, which is precisely why I feel safe using them again.  After being in such crushing debt, I know how important it is to treat credit cards like debit cards.  Which means, I spend only what I can afford and I pay the bills in full every month.  IF YOU CAN DO THAT, then using credit cards can be a positive thing!  But if you can't, they can be trouble.

Listen, credit cards have their benefits:  You can earn points on them which can be redeemed for rewards like cash or gift cards (this is my favorite perk and really the reason why I use them).  Plus, they can been extremely helpful in an emergency.  An emergency vet visit?  It's going to cost you big bucks and if you don't have the cash, credit can be perfect.  It's all about sticking to what you can afford, not over spending, and treating your credit like cash.

Habits of Organized People

I am an admitted list lover.  Which means that whenever I come across a list, I am intrigued.  So of course this list of the Top 10 Habits of Organized People caught my eye.

Here are my 3 favorites:

#9) MAKE YOUR BED EVERY MORNING.
Ha, love it.  And you know what?  I totally agree.  I used to have the mindset "I'm just going to mess it up again in 12 hours, why bother?"  Plus, let's be honest, an unmade bed can be really inviting.  But making your bed magically makes your room appear clean.  No joke.  Aaaaaand, it keeps dust and other yuck from getting on your sheets when you're not there.

#5)  MAKE LISTS.
Well duh I love this one (hello, admitted list lover).  Lists are important to me for a few reasons.  Let's discuss: my lists remind me of what needs to be done; they help keep me focused; AND they give me a sense of accomplishment.  C'mon, looking back at a to-do list that is all checked off?  It's an amazing feeling.  I highly recommend it.

And last but not least,
#1)  CREATE A HOME FOR EVERYTHING.
Believe it or not, even I, the Wannabe Organizer, struggle with this one.  But whether it's papers, band-aids, magazines, shoes or sunglasses - if they have a home, then they will a) be out of the way when you don't need them and b) easy to find when you do need them.  So that pile on your coffee table (or, if you're like me, on your 2nd stair)?  Go through it immediately.  Find homes for everything.  Don't stop till everything has a place to live.  You'll thank me, I promise.

Routine, Habits...and Blogging

Now would probably be a good time to talk about the power of ROUTINE.  A routine involves actions that you perform regularly. (If you would like the actual definition, check it out here.)
A routine is designed to create habits.

Here's what:  I DO NOT HAVE A BLOGGING ROUTINE.  And, therefore, blogging is not a habit for me.  Which means, it is often overlooked.

My goal for May is to integrate blogging into my routine.  Someone once told me that it takes 6 weeks to build a habit.  Is that true?  I have no idea but it's stuck with me and it's what I go by.  Today is May 7th.  By the end of May, I should be well on my way to creating a real blogging habit.

Let's go.