INTERAC® 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge
My dad’s a smart man. He instilled in us early on the importance of sticking to a budget and saving money for a rainy day. One of his favourite sayings was, “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” He’d usually reply with that saying when my sisters or I would ask for some outrageously expensive toy that we simply had to have. I had no concept of money back then, but I sure do now. I should have followed my dad’s wise advice and I’ll admit to reckless spending that left us with a mountain of debt. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t fun.
These days, I’m doing much better financially and my dad’s wisdom makes 100% sense to me now. I think there are always ways I can improve my finances and I’m slowly plugging away at making small changes to better my bottom line. I often think of this quote when it comes to money – “Rich people stay rich by living like they’re broke. Broke people stay broke by living like they’re rich”. It reminds me that spending money you don’t have (i.e. on credit) can lead to mega money problems if it gets out of control. Sure, having all the newest gadgets and fancy furniture are all fine and dandy, but at what cost?
I’m excited to be participating in the Interac 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge this month. Over the next 21 days, I’ll be setting my credit card aside and using only my own money for my everyday purchases. One of the worst spending habits is using your credit card for everyday purchases. If your bill is not paid off in full, you will pay interest on those everyday purchases. Seeing interest on my bill gives me anxiety since I know how easily that total can pile up.
So why 21 days? The answer is simple. Research has shown it takes 21 days to change a habit. I hope by the end of the 21 days that I’ll have a stronger sense of where I’m headed financially and have better insight on the money I spend each month. It should be interesting and I’m curious to find out how I’ll fare. I’m motivated right now to improve and optimistic that I’ll succeed. That’s the plan anyways!
My one concern is impulse spending. I need to reign that in and I think it might be one of my struggles. The “have to have it right now” feeling is strong and hopefully I can hold myself back.
Would you like to join me in the Interac 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge? Let’s do this together!
The Interac® 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge was created to help Canadians live within their means by using their own money. It’s easy to get started. All you have to do is sign up with your email address at 21DaysCreditFree.ca to receive daily financial guidance.
Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Interac Association/Acxsys Corporation via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Interac Association/Acxsys Corporation.
Interac is a registered trade-mark of Interac Inc. Used under license.
I’m going to look into this, I myself need to stop splurging and that was one of my resolutions, not to be spending and to budget more wisely!!
My dad was the best saver ever, his boss from his first job told me when my dad was young they thought he lost his paychecks because after cashing the first one the next 6 were not cashed and they had to make him cash them, funny he told me to try 30 days with out a Visa and if I didn’t have cash I couldn’t afford it, so I tried it about 10 years ago and now we use cash only even at Christmas and only use Visa to book rooms as a deposit! Not having a big bill after Christmas is a relief and to pay cash feels so good and no interest on anything! Good Luck Stacie!
I’ve had some reckless spending in my younger years as well. I bought everything I wanted on credit and paid one credit card with another. It was a disaster. I eventually declared bankruptcy (about 7 or so years ago) to get a clean slate and since then I have not opened a single credit card and stayed out of debt.
Your father was a smart man! We live by the same rules, I cringe at people who spend like they are rich and then find themselves in huge debt!
I’m going to look into this,its interesting I am not a spender,I am a saver………hubby hes the spender
We have been doing something like this for the last few months. Trying to get the credit cards paid down and then only use them when we need to and not for our “wants”.
This is a great idea, I’m with you! 🙂
I try never to buy what I dont have cash for
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