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Is it a need? Or a want? The Decade of credit card debt!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Twin Rivers

A Need Or A Want?

Credit Card Debt. Delinquent Credit card bills reached an all time high this month. The problem hasn't been this bad since 1998. It unfortunately goes along with the high unemployment rate.

During the housing boom more consumers could tap into their home equity to pay off bills such as credit cards. Unfortunately so many consumers just jumped back on the spending bandwagon and charged them right back up.

It is part of the belief that the "I can buy whatever I want attitude".

Part of it is because kids don't have to work for anything anymore. Parents are handing cell phones out to first and second graders. That is totally insane. I have a 16 year old, 11 year old, and 4 month old. My kids know that they will get a cell phone when they get a job to pay the bill.

I always ask my kids when they say they "want" something. Is it a genuine need? Or a I want.

I do not believe in the "Because my friend has it I want it". That attitude does not work with me.

I do have a credit card. But I don't overuse it. That responsibility comes with a been there, done that.

When I was in my early 20's I had some credit card problems. I called consumer credit counseling (A not for profit) organization that helps people out with credit card debt.  They helpedme and since then I have been very careful.

People are too fast to file bankruptcy and then do the same thing over again. That comes from not being taught responsibility at a young age. So if you have children start now. Don't give them everything. Make them earn what they want. Then it means more and makes them more responsible.

I hope you agree with me but if you don't I still want you to give me your thoughts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Painter
Keller Williams Realty - Spartanburg, SC

It is going to get worst before it gets better. People are spending every dime that they make and have also spent all of their credit and all of the equity in their homes!

Feb 09, 2009 01:39 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I agree the credit thing has become out of control. The problem with kids partially today is they are giving everything and haven't learned to work for it. This in my humble opinion is because they now can't work in this country until they are 15 or 16 and they learn that money grows on trees and don't learn to work for the things they want or need.

I would love to bring the rules back where kids can work at age 11 in the Berry Fields, those berry fields taught me a lot and if I wanted or needed something, I had to work for it and I did!

Welcome to Activerain and together we can change this mess we are in.

Todd Clark, Helping Families Home - www.IFoundYourNewHome.com

Feb 11, 2009 05:55 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Having an opportunity to pay your bills or debt by the credit card is a great temporary solution, but those money should be used  with caution.

Oct 03, 2015 05:00 PM