Nightmares about credit cards

**littlemotherhaywood** · 01-28-2007, 12:34 PM

For the longest time I used to dream about payments not making in on time or not being processed properly. Actually, that was partially my reality too

Well, now that all of that is behind us we've been sleeping a little easier as you might imagine. Until the other night that is. I had this horrible dream that we had started to re-establish credit and when I sat down to see what we had, all of it was maxed out. I was absolutely mortified and scared. I couldn't believe that we would have all of that credit and have it all maxed out and be in a position like that and have to pay minimums for the rest of our lives. Then the next day dh's aunt was on the phone and we were talking about her washer and dryer and I told her if we moved we would have to get a washer and dryer and that I thought we could pick up a cheap set used and dh wanted to get the new fancy kind like she had ($1800 set yikes) and that we had a little tiff over it. She said we could just the zero interest program for it like they did and I said I was done with credit. I don't care if it's zero interest anything, if I have to make a montly payment for it, it's not in my budget. I don't ever want that nightmare to become my reality. I realize that at some point we'll want to buy a house again and we'll need to clean up our credit to do that, but I'm so much happier not having any credit cards then I ever was when we had too many of them. It's amazing the peace of mind I have knowing everything I have or buy is paid for and I'm not still buying it.

**rosebron** · 01-28-2007, 03:19 PM

WTG!! If I hear you right, monthly payments are not a given!

I too didn't realize how peaceful I would feel with most of my debt behind me I have $1K left; I can pay if off but I'm going to use my tax return to do so. In January, I had only 3 bills to pay: tel, gas, electricity. I am trying hard to simplify everything. Today, I am setting up e-billing for these 3 bills so that I don't forget to pay them - I'm not leaving any bill to chance.

I had the most peaceful Christmas season. We paid cash for EVERYTHING, including a new TV, a 4-day cabin stay in the mountains with the children, and a few gifts for them (less than $20 worth). Our gift to each other was paying a combined $4K to debt.

I pray daily for DH to experience this financial peace - his attitude has changed so much (even though at times he still thinks that he deserves some things). We are trying to get rid of his debts now and pay down our mortgage.

**AheeK** · 01-28-2007, 03:43 PM

Good job to both of you. So many people think credit debt is a given in our society...it's nice to hear you're speaking out against it! Plus, it's nice to be able to sleep at night.

**littlemotherhaywood** · 01-29-2007, 05:35 PM

Unfornately I speak from an experience that ruined us financially. I wish I could say that we were able to personally eliminate all of our debts ourselves but it didn't work that way for us. What I know now is that we were given a second chance and I will never allow myself to be in a situation like that again. I will never buy another house without a proper inspection and six months expenses in the bank. I never want to experience a job loss and be unprepared. I never want to go into surgery or have my loved ones need something medically and be unprepared. We were unprepared for all of these things numerous times over. We made several bad choices when we experienced these circumstances that we were unprepared for. I think my dream was a reminder. A reminder that anything that can go wrong will go wrong when you're not prepared for it. I will not be in that position again.

**rosebron** · 01-29-2007, 06:35 PM

Your experiences will benifit us all. Thank you for sharing this.

**Bethany** · 01-29-2007, 09:26 PM

You are so wise! Others will learn from your honesty on this site! Thank you for sharing.

**thrifty gal** · 01-29-2007, 09:48 PM

Thank you for sharing!! We are in cc debt right now-the worst we've ever been in, and most days I think it is hopeless, but reading stories like yours gives me much needed hope. Thanks!

**kaykwilts** · 01-29-2007, 11:04 PM

It is bad that you had to suffer these things but you learned from your mistakes so you will be less likely to repeat them in the future.

**suzysaver** · 01-30-2007, 01:02 AM

We all learn from our mistakes and sharing your story has helped us all Kimberly. I know you had a hard time with your decision and money matters that put a stress on your relationship. I'm so happy that things are better and you can focus on your family and look to the future. Wishing you good dreams

**littlemotherhaywood** · 01-30-2007, 09:09 AM

Thank you. Getting all of the support here that I have has meant so much to me. I was really afraid to share the truth, but I'm really glad that I did.