Your Credit Card is Not a Paycheck

I know it's like, duhhh. But that's what it certainly feels like when I begin swiping it, like money in the bank. A few purchases later when you're - by you I mean me - almost maxed out, it starts feeling like your real bank account. But actually, it's worse than your real bank account. A credit card is NOT your hero.

Your pilfering bank might deduct $20 of your hard-earned money as a fee for borrowing your own money-- seriously $20 fee for being negative a few dollars? But that's better than the $50 monthly fee for not paying your balance off on your credit card. The sick thing is the very pleasant customer service while they are screwing you over. Polite emails that say, "Thank you for being a valued customer" and "Welcome to Paperless Statements and Notices," like you're being greeted at the airport and not was is really going on- you're being taken for a ride.

What's the solution? Using my income tax return or getting a loan from the bank with a lower interest rate, both of which would allow me to avoid the $50 monthly fee. And of course, getting a second job- a real second paycheck. Why can't I save my income tax money and use it like a credit card, you say? That's what I would like to do. I can't speak on why I'm in this financial conundrum because it's drama and gossip. But I am working on being my own hero. Wish me luck.