topic Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE! in Credit Cards

Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:17:44 GMT

Hello everyone-

Not trying to be a party pooper here- but I felt I needed to get this off my chest and I am sure there will be some lurking who agree w/ me even if they don't post it.

I am the biggest offender, after posting the funny links that Willow orig. posted re: CC pranks and how to "skin your cards". I was laughing earlier and now I feel stupid as while I was posting earlier I felt the little angel on my shoulder telling me I was too old to be laughing about CC's.

I think it's time for us to get back to business- not joking about CC's and trying to out-do each other w/ limits.

I think it's great that we all gasp at someone who has gotten the latest big limit- but we also need to ALWAYS keep in mind that it is a great risk- and w/ great risk comes GREAT RESPONSIBILITY- and we need to be especially careful w/ those zero percent CC's - cuz it is way to easy to load up on charges thinking "well, there is no APR- so I don't have to worry about PIF for the next couple of months...

let's get back to business of keeping in mind that if we cannot PIF every card every month there is the potential risk that if something tragic were to happen to one of us- we could be back in the mess that we created years ago- where we were up at night wondering how to pay off all those bills, dealing w/ collections, etc.

I am not trying to pull a Dave Ramsey, and not trying to rain on everyone's good parade of luck. But again, if we can't pay off every CC and loan in full besides mortgage and student loans we are IN DEBT and need to act accordingly.

Like I said- I am an offender and with that being said, am going to dip into saving and pay off last 3 CC's by Dec and follow my New Years resolutions that was posted on another thread.

Chow.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

MidnightVoice — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:39:15 GMT

I think a little humor and some off topic fun is fine. But if the Moderators say that we all need to be good children and stay on topic, then so be it.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Cory — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:44:05 GMT

I truly, truly appreciate your frankness.

Cory

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

haulingthescoreup — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:45:48 GMT

Thanks, NP! And if anything, the humor ought to serve as a warning that credit needs to be handled with care, because it can blow up on you in truly spectacular ways.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

SonorityGenius — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:09:19 GMT

haulingthescoreup wrote:
Thanks, NP! And if anything, the humor ought to serve as a warning that credit needs to be handled with care, because it can blow up on you in truly spectacular ways.

lmao! I love your wording "blow up in spectacular ways"

I see fireworks in the near future =P (08!)

Thanks Netpanther for a truly blunt but caring post.

My only concern is ashabbir, which cc will he get denied for next year? Lmao

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:20:45 GMT

MidnightVoice wrote:

I think a little humor and some off topic fun is fine. But if the Moderators say that we all need to be good children and stay on topic, then so be it.

Hey what mod said that? j/k. But I do agree with netpanther. I have been seeong some scary things over the past couple of weeks. Enough to give even Brammy shivers about the potential for trouble. Its great if you can get cards, but if you've ahd a hard time in the past, I would build slowly just to make sure I have a system in place to ensure everone gets paid on time.

I love success stories, but some of the stories lately have been absolutely unnecesary as for as applying for new credit. I have my fingers crossed that everyone here will have the ability to pay for all the shiny new plastic especially after the holidays.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

MidnightVoice — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:34:33 GMT

Brammy wrote:

MidnightVoice wrote:
I think a little humor and some off topic fun is fine. But if the Moderators say that we all need to be good children and stay on topic, then so be it.

Hey what mod said that? j/k. But I do agree with netpanther. I have been seeong some scary things over the past couple of weeks. Enough to give even Brammy shivers about the potential for trouble. Its great if you can get cards, but if you've ahd a hard time in the past, I would build slowly just to make sure I have a system in place to ensure everone gets paid on time.

I love success stories, but some of the stories lately have been absolutely unnecesary as for as applying for new credit. I have my fingers crossed that everyone here will have the ability to pay for all the shiny new plastic especially after the holidays.

As a wise person (I think on the distaff side) once said, If you can't be a good example, at least you can be a dire warning.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:38:37 GMT

I totally agree.

Someone new to the credit world could be reading certain posts and get sucked in and not know what they are getting themselves into. Humans are competitive by nature. I have found myself wanting to apply for some of the cards I see everyone talking about "just to have one". Luckily, I haven't been on an app'ing spree, but hey to each his/her own I guess.

Seriously, I did come to the website to learn how to increase my score for the long haul and so far I am doing good.

Not knowing how to handle CC's and app'ing a lot could be fun at first but a little overwhelming after a while trying to keep up with all of the bills to pay. I am sure not everyone "sock drawering" all of their cards.

I am sure a lot of people that read these forums have had their share of credit problems and know how easy it is to lose control.

I think we should get back to business as well.....

Let's go!

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

kclb — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:41:20 GMT

That is true. It's so important to know your limitations when it comes to spending. Credit Cards are so simple and easy; we probably even take them for granted. Some may also live for their credit cards. I've had some crazy moments where I felt I was going no where with my fico scores. I had to verbally kick myself and try my best. It's still a learning process for me and I don't expect it will end soon.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

MidnightVoice — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:43:27 GMT

myFICO® provides these Forums as an educational and entertaining platform for people to share their credit knowledge and personal financial experiences with other members of this online community.

This is a great way to learn what others have already learned about FICO scoring and personal credit management.

It says. Some of the personal experiences shared should probably be thought of as not necessarily appropriate for normal people

Message Edited by MidnightVoice on 11-13-2007 05:43 PM

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:35:41 GMT

Chuckle..not appropriate for normal people. Am watching reruns of Family Guy, my fav show. Easily amused I guess.

MidnightVoice wrote:
(snip)
It says. Some of the personal experiences shared should probably be thought of as not necessarily appropriate for normal people

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:46:18 GMT

NP makes a few valid points...

The end result we ALL want is a serious matter - the ability to provide for our loved ones and to not really have to stress over how to do that. Great credit = opportunities that others don't have.

We really aren't in competition with each other for number of cards, CLs, etc. and I am certain that everyone in the 800 club would wish that all others could get there too (then they might have to be a 900 club) - most of us have had issues of some sort and really do feel for anyone who is there now, A little 'humor' can make a very tough situation more tolerable.

On the other hand - the humor (and tears) makes us human -- and when you are trying to influence someone's life (by offering them advice) - they need to know that there is a human pecking at the keys.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:20:19 GMT

I interpret credit = buying power. And what was that quote from Spider-Man? "With great power comes great responsibility." Oh, it's been awhile...hope this paraphrase will do.

Yup yup. And keeping in mind that credit is "borrowed money," I do agree that the concept of "borrowed money" is a serious one, I also appreciate much of the wit and humor from many posters.

I admit I have been irresponsible, but I do feel like I've woken up. Corrections don't happen overnight and this forum helps deal with the time that passes to better times.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

phumanr — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 03:29:31 GMT

I agree that we need to take our credit issues very seriously; however, I believe that some of the humor is just that humor because many of us have been in very challenging credit situations, but to be educated and rebuild is very rejuvenating.

I think many people in this forum, because of their previous challenges, are not getting new credit to get in the hole again, but to feel validated again...that's me. I have gotten way more credit than I will ever probably use...but I do have comfort in knowing that should a rainy day occur...I have credit lines to get me through....and believe me....my credit is prescioussssssssssss!!! I will never abuse it!!

Phumanr

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

stpn2me — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:33:36 GMT

I think it is more people coming back from irresponsibility. I was VERY reckless in my youth, but now, I almost feel grown up.

It feels good to know you are finally doing what you are supposed to do and acting like a responsible adult, rather than an imature adult with no thought to the future. It's also good to feel better about my financial health.

Also, those who fell on hard times are not imature, just hit a rough spot. Now that is over, I bet it feels like a weight is off your chest.

It also feels good to know you can provide for yourself, and not have to depend on someone else with better credit, we can do it ourselves...

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Dawn — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:00:35 GMT

For the more "youthful" members among us ... if you had it to do over again ... what might it have taken for you to take a different path in that road on your financial journey?

I want so badly for my kids and their B/Fs and G/Fs to not fall into these traps, but they sometimes think I'm silly to admonish them about all the things they need to keep their eyes on ... leading me to believe that "experience" is the most powerful teacher?

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:49:53 GMT

Exactly denbar! You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

Some of life's lessons have to be learned by a person through trial and error. Sometimes telling children how to do something a certain way, only leads them trying something totally different. And THEN finding out that the what you suggested in the first place was the best way to do it. That's just life. Live and learn, etc.

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 18:59:49 GMT

denbar and Sylvia,

I really think it depends on the person. I agree that you can lead a horse to water but you can not make him/her drink.

I am a child of parents that did not really care about credit (which is very unfortunate), one would probably think I would follow in the same path. Not true. I saw what not to do. I did however, have an aunt that told me a bout the importance if credit. So luckily, I did have someone like her to listen to. She did not make me but I took that with me throughout college. Luckily, I did not get sucked into app'ing for CC's that I could not pay for.

On the other hand, I hae a cousin shose parents did care about credit and maintaining it and she did the exact opposite. Here it is 10 years later after college and she still does not care (well don't seem to care because she is not doing anything to correct the problem) and is still doing things to continue to ruin her credit.

So here you see two different people from two different up-bringings and two different outcomes. I say even if you do not think they are listening say it anyway. There is a number of times when I have run into a "credit" situation and referred back to something that my ant said.

The only real credit problem I have had was late pays from a car I got for my sister. Yes, my aunt explained to me not to co-sign for anyone but hey I didn't say I listened to everything she said. I bet I will not be co-signing anymore though; my aunt doesn't have to say I told you so either. Hmmm.. so I guess I did listen--eventually.

Now, I have a younger sister in college and I am trying to explain to her the same things that my aunt explained to me. Hopefully she listens! I just know that if she doesn't decide to listen it is not because I did not say anything to her.

credit is NO JOKE????

MidnightVoice — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:03:41 GMT

Then there was the time Larry King interviewed Satan on his TV program. At one point during the interview, King asked Satan to describe the foulest deed he'd ever done. Satan refused to name one, pointing out that there had been so much destruction over the years, so many lives cut short, and so many wars and calamities that none stood out. But Larry King kept pestering. 'Surely, if you think hard enough, there must be one dastardly deed you are most proud of.' Satan thought for a moment, his eyes brightened, and he replied, 'Well, yes. I guess if I have to pick just one particularly evil thing I'm proudest of, it would be this: Several years ago, I invented credit cards.'"

Re: Back to business everyone- credit is NO JOKE!

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:11:01 GMT

Midnight,

That is scary. It should be a scary story told around the campfire (for adults of course).