Remember the Interac 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge I talked about? Did you take part/have you taken part? I don’t think there is an actual date set for a start time, so technically you can start tout suite if you like. Because I wrote about starting this whole, ‘only use my own money and no credit challenge’ I figured it only made sense to follow-up to let you know how it’s been going. Also so you know, that I am actually doing it that it wasn’t just a post for good looks and smiles (sponsors). So life without the use of credit cards, for the past few days (life is a bit of an overstatement) has been good and bad, here are a few points that have stood out so far.
THE HARD PARTS:
1. Online shopping – very very much a 1st world problem, so silly it feels silly to even mention. But I do about 80% of all our shopping, online. I prefer to not have to enter my petite feet into a shopping mall, and I prefer deal hunting from the comfort of my computer, than walking km’s around a mall. Online shopping is built for credit cards and it can be tricky to do so without one. But it’s not impossible! I have stuck to online stores that accept InteracDebit, some of them do. Luckily I haven’t had to do too much shopping, and really who needs to shop? Well other than necessities, and that is rarely ever online. (that picture up top? How I like to shop, comfortably).
2. Having to Really (actually) Stay on Top of my Budget – which is way easier said than done. I always thought I was pretty good at this, but it turns out I was a bit of a budget tracking slacker. This challenge has made me tighten my laces a little and be more focused on what’s coming out of our accounts.
THE GOOD PARTS:
1. Full Visibility of Spending – sure you get your credit card statements and can check those online with your bank if the two are connected, but FULL as in; full family visibility. Not that you or I need to be checking up on our spouses, or our spouses need to be checking up on our spending, right? But in the world of trying to stick to a budget, it’s really good to have visibility (for both people) on how that budget is going.
2. Stricter with Spending – I can’t be all relaxed with my spending, without having that credit card as a fall back. My eyes need to be on our spending and budget all the time. Which sounds like work, and it is ó but it’s a good thing. Which is why this point is in both the Hard and Good parts.
Otherwise everything is hunky dory, I try to live by these tips on a regular basis so the change hasn’t been gut wrenching or too difficult ó but it is always good to get a good kick in the butt when it comes to spending. Are you doing the Interac 21 Day Credit-Free Challenge? And hey guys, if you aren’t from Canada, you could still go for a 21 day no credit, only your own money, challenge.
Disclosure: This post was part of a sponsored collaboration between Interac Association and SheKnows
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SPEAK YOUR MIND