Debt

I am only twenty-three years old and have already filed bankruptcy. Thinking back on what I spent my credit limits on, I simply cannot remember. Credit cards seem simple enough and its hard to believe that you can become an addict. All it takes is one swipe and a signiture, then what ever it is you desire can be yours. My credit card spending would come in spurts. Use a credit card multiple times until you recieve your credit card statement. You may stop spending for some time, but as soon as you forget why you stopped... It starts all over again, and will continue until the limit has been reached. What now. You could get another and run that up too, or be responsible and pay it off.
Sometimes you will be irresponsible with either decision you make. If you decide to pay it off, most likely you will pay a few hundred and run it up to the limit again. This time, you really need to pay it off. You agree with yourself, that you will stop using it. Now that your payment may be seventy dollars a month on that card, you may have a little amount of spending money. But then, you get in an accident... You were at fault, and oh no... You need to pay the thousand dollar deductible before your vehicle gets fixed. What now? You need an extra thousand dollars that you may have on the credit card ready to use, or you need to get a new one. You don't save money, because if you did, you would have the money to buy the things that you are charging on the credit card.
What if you wanted to start saving? The money that you could save is being spent on your monthly bill to pay your credit card. If you started out by saving, this may not have happened. If you only charged the credit card for things that where really important, like new tires when yours are completely bare or dental work when you are getting a constant migrane just from the pain, maybe you would be in control of your spending. It is crutial to realize that a credit card should only be used when you really need it. Don't use it for cute clothes that you will only wear two times, the sunglasses that you've been wanting, or the vacation of your dreams. When you use your credit card, set a date that you WILL pay that purchase back by. Put a small paper in your wallet with a list of things that you want to achieve in the next five years. Everytime you reach for that credit card, look at the list and ask yourself if this purchase will help you get closer to your goals... Most likely, the answer will be no.
It takes strength to overcome the voice inside your head that says, just do it this once. Realize your problem and come up with ways to over come it. You have to want to change, and try to improve yourself. But it is possible and it can happen.