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Trying to get out of debt is often simply a matter of breaking habits. There are times we know that we shouldn't take certain actions, but out of habit do so without even stopping to think about it. Whipping out the credit card to pay for an item or service can be one of these bad habits. Many times it's only after you're back home with your purchase - or when the credit card bill comes - that you realize that you spent more than you should have.
For many people there is a simple solution that can help break the credit card overuse habit. While some people go to drastic measures to stop using their credit card such as freezing it in a block of ice in the freezer, for the majority of people there is a much easier solution that often works: using a credit card sleeve.
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Credit card sleeves (also referred to as "credit card condoms" because they help "protect" you from unwanted consequences when used properly) are simply pieces of paper that you slip around your credit card that have some type of warning on the outside so that you have to think twice before using it. While this may sound down right silly, it's often the exact motivation a person needs if they are serious about decreasing their credit card debt (if you aren't serious, then credit card sleeves - or any other tactic - isn't going to work).
While there are some sites that sell credit card sleeves for up to $5 each, you can easily print your own <a href="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11417">credit card "Debt Guard" sleeve</a> for free. The key to making the credit card sleeve successful is having a saying on it that will make you pause and reconsider whether the purchase you're about to make is truly necessary. Some effective phrases may be:
"For Emergency Use Only!"
"If you really need this, come back tomorrow"
"Use of this card may be dangerous to your savings"
"Do I Really Need This?"
"(Ice Cream) is not an emergency!"
"What about the (vacation)?"
"You want it - can you afford it?"
"If I use this card, the price is twice as much!"
These are just a few examples of sayings that might get you to rethink an impulse purchase you're about to put on a credit card. The credit card sleeve gives you those few seconds to consider the purchase thoroughly and remind yourself that you also have other goals where the money could be used more effectively.
If you find that you use your credit card more than you should, a credit card debt guard sleeve may be exactly what you've been looking for to help curb your spending. Sometimes it's little reminders that end up being the most effective tool to help you establish your self discipline in using your credit card.
For many people there is a simple solution that can help break the credit card overuse habit. While some people go to drastic measures to stop using their credit card such as freezing it in a block of ice in the freezer, for the majority of people there is a much easier solution that often works: using a credit card sleeve.
<script type="text/javascript">google_ad_client = "pub-8949118578199171";google_ad_width = 728;google_ad_height = 90;google_ad_format = "728x90_as";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "EAEAEA";google_color_bg = "EAEAEA";google_color_link = "4271B5";google_color_url = "99CC66";google_color_text = "000000";</script>
<center><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></center>
Credit card sleeves (also referred to as "credit card condoms" because they help "protect" you from unwanted consequences when used properly) are simply pieces of paper that you slip around your credit card that have some type of warning on the outside so that you have to think twice before using it. While this may sound down right silly, it's often the exact motivation a person needs if they are serious about decreasing their credit card debt (if you aren't serious, then credit card sleeves - or any other tactic - isn't going to work).
While there are some sites that sell credit card sleeves for up to $5 each, you can easily print your own <a href="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11417">credit card "Debt Guard" sleeve</a> for free. The key to making the credit card sleeve successful is having a saying on it that will make you pause and reconsider whether the purchase you're about to make is truly necessary. Some effective phrases may be:
"For Emergency Use Only!"
"If you really need this, come back tomorrow"
"Use of this card may be dangerous to your savings"
"Do I Really Need This?"
"(Ice Cream) is not an emergency!"
"What about the (vacation)?"
"You want it - can you afford it?"
"If I use this card, the price is twice as much!"
These are just a few examples of sayings that might get you to rethink an impulse purchase you're about to put on a credit card. The credit card sleeve gives you those few seconds to consider the purchase thoroughly and remind yourself that you also have other goals where the money could be used more effectively.
If you find that you use your credit card more than you should, a credit card debt guard sleeve may be exactly what you've been looking for to help curb your spending. Sometimes it's little reminders that end up being the most effective tool to help you establish your self discipline in using your credit card.
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