Avoid The Christmas Credit Card Temptation

There are now 6 shopping days left until Christmas Day is upon us so I'm weighing in with a warning - if at all possible, leave your credit card at home when you go Christmas shopping!It may be too late for some, but many people leave their shopping to the very last minute, and this is why they end up overspending!

With the credit crunch underway and unemployment levels rising all the time, we cannot afford to take anything for grantd at the moment. As such, sticking to a Christmas budget is imperative. Paying for goods with cash or on a debit card is fine but when you take the credit cards out with you, you are undoubtedly inviting financial disaster. Many people get into debt over Christmas and credit cards are the biggest reasons for that. When you are out and about shopping, it is difficult to keep track of what you are spending. With presents, decorations and food to purchase, the bills soon mount up so you can go over budget by a considerable way. If you have cash or are paying out of your everyday account then you are more motivated to keep count, as such, because you only have so much to spend. If you are taking a credit card with high limit then budgeting can soon be forgotten.

Unfortunately, the very nature of debt means there will come a day when the bill hits your doormat and has to be paid. With Christmas gone, you may find it impossible to pay your credit card off in full and then the interest kicks in. As such, wherever possible, leave the credit card at home this week and enjoy as debt free a Christmas as possible!

On a different note, I posted a response to the announcement today that 1.86 million in the UK are now unemployed over at English Opinion so please check in to read it and maybe even comment. All opinions are much appreciated!