let me explain.

i decided to close the last of my credit card a few months ago. i decided i had it with my ongoing credit card debt management problems. i decided to only pay with cash, atm debit card, checks, and electronic payments from my ING checking card.

i shared my plan with the SO. he thought it might be a better idea for me to have at least one credit card for emergencies. not wanting to succumb to any sort of credit card temptation if left to my own devices, we came up with a possible alternative plan: he would add me as an authorized person on one of his credit card accounts. i would get my own credit card to use, as needed, against his account.

this was a perfect idea for many reasons:

1. i wouldn’t have to own any credit card accounts of my very own as planned
2. i’d have that ‘emergency card’
3. since the card is not my very own account, i would be less likely to use it liberally as i would not want the SO to incur any expenses from my failure to stick to my budget plans and claim of no longer using a credit card for regular use

about a month and a half ago, we received the card. incidentally, i ended up using it once with his permission (and presence!) about a month ago. i had been having problems with my ing direct debit card lately, and i was unable to successfully use it to pay the motorcycle service shop for my recent 19k miles tune up. so with his permission, i used the emergency card. the next morning, i paid him the $693 that i had charged immediately.

other than that one incident, my plan has been going very well. i forget that i have his credit card in my wallet at times. i stick it in the back behind all the other cards. the debit card is prominently up front. i know that every time i pull out this card, i am using money that is mine, that is actually available, that is real, that is going away after i’ve slid the card in the little machine to pay for something. i know that i am using the card knowing that i have been paying attention to my expenses like a hawk lately, so that i do in fact have the funds to pay for XYZ. it is a good, solid, reassuring feeling.

with a credit card, i always felt that the ‘money’ i was using to pay for purchases was somewhat.. tenuous? unreal? i knew that it wasn’t mine, that i had an old balance to pay still on it, and most likely i would not pay off that latest balance plus the new purchases altogether with the next bill. i was never quite mentally confident or comfortable every time i would pull one out to pay.

using my own funds immediately/directly to pay for items also gives me a boost of confidence, raising my self-esteem: i know each time that i am sticking to my financial goals, that i am doing what i said i would, that i am not giving up, that i am strong enough and care about my own well-being and future enough to not take the actions that would not be in alignment with my goals.

how about you?  what is your take on the role of credit cards while burdened with consumer debt?

have you tried living credit card free, and if so, how did that go for you, how is it going for you?

do you have any other tips for how one might be able to “sort-of” live credit card free?