Get Out of Credit Card Debt Like You Get Out of a Bad Relationship
And dump his ass for good.
Thin pieces of plastic aren’t evil by themselves. Our relationship with them is what can turn them into villains. Lolly Daskal, author of The Leadership Gap, compiled a list of signs that you might be in a toxic relationship. Although this list is in reference to a human couple, it still applies to you and your credit card. Check out the list below and decide exactly how you’re going to kick your little plastic dude to the curb.
1. All take, no give. Any relationship in which you experience withdrawals of energy without deposits will leave you in the negative.
Unless you are paying off your credit card every month, or have an actionable debt payoff plan in practice, you might be in an all take, no give relationship.
2. Feeling drained. If, instead of feeling happy and productive, you’re always mentally, emotionally, and even physically drained, it’s time to re-evaluate.
After the initial high of the purchase wears off, are you actually more stressed and drained that you spent more than you should have?
3. Lack of trust. A relationship without trust is like a car without gas; you can stay in it all you want, but it won’t go anywhere.
Can you trust yourself with your credit card? If not, it’s time to get out.
4. Nonstop narcissism. If the other party’s interest in the relationship is really just a reflection of him or herself, it’s impossible to achieve any kind of balance.
Your credit card is narcissistic as hell. Oh, have you been putting in hard work and sticking to your budget? Your credit limit just got upped by 3k. This dude is playing mind games with you.
5. Lack of communication. Without communication, there is no relationship. Period.
Have you ever tried to talk to your credit card? Has he EVER said anything back? No. Not ever.
6. Never-ending drama. Good relationships improve your life; they don’t make it messier.
Has your life only gotten messier since your credit card showed up?
7. Persistent self-betrayal. If you find yourself changing your opinions to please someone else, you’re in a damaging relationship.
You look in the mirror in the morning and say, “I will not overspend today.” Then you walk by a store and buy a bunch of clothes you don’t need and can’t afford. First, you get a high, but later you feel guilty that you didn’t keep your word.
8. Permeates victimhood. You can’t move on to the future if you’re tied to someone who’s still stuck in the past.
Your credit card doesn’t want you to see a vision of yourself that is out of credit card debt. He wants you to stay right here, squirmy and relying more and more on him.
9. Lowers your high standards. Toxic relationships can cause us to slowly begin accepting what was once not acceptable.
Since using your credit card, have you started to live with a level of financial anxiety that you used to not have? Let your inner parent take the reigns and keep your standards high.
If any of these situations apply to you, start scheming where/when/how you’ll break it off. My suggestion? Cut his body in half with a pair of scissors.
