I had a "credit card cutting party" tonight

[No Gravy]

OK, so...there was just one party-er...me!

It was mostly symbolic, since all the cards are canceled anyway, but the symbolism was a powerful one (for me, anyway).

[cool33097]

Congrats. I did the same thing awhile ago and even thou my cards were cancelled was not an easy task back then.

[No Gravy]

Congrats. I did the same thing awhile ago and even thou my cards were cancelled was not an easy task back then.

I was surprised how..."final" it feels. Like signing divorce papers, ya know? They sat on my dining room table for the last few days now, I had collected them to cut them up, then just left the stack there for a while. Interesting seeing/feeling the emotions attached to those little pieces of plastic...

[justplaintired]

I haven't been able to do this yet. I don't know why. We haven't used them since the beginning of Jan. It's weird thinking we don't have a cc anymore. Ofcourse since we haven't paid for so long, they are all canceled. But the finality of cutting them up just is hard for me. I don't know why. It's kind of like their still there and somehow that's comforting??!!? I don't know, I wouldn't use one even if it was still good. I hate cc, I really HATE CC!
I think it's time to cut them up. Then I think we will have a fire in the firepit and I'll burn them. Now that might just be what I need to do. I have accepted the BK and I have accepted no more cc. Now it's really time to let them go.

[Frogge]

I think it's time to cut them up. Then I think we will have a fire in the firepit and I'll burn them. Now that might just be what I need to do. I have accepted the BK and I have accepted no more cc. Now it's really time to let them go.

We too have a Fire Pit... LOL Good idea.

[No Gravy]

I haven't been able to do this yet. I don't know why. We haven't used them since the beginning of Jan. It's weird thinking we don't have a cc anymore. Ofcourse since we haven't paid for so long, they are all canceled. But the finality of cutting them up just is hard for me. I don't know why. It's kind of like their still there and somehow that's comforting??!!? I don't know, I wouldn't use one even if it was still good. I hate cc, I really HATE CC!
I think it's time to cut them up. Then I think we will have a fire in the firepit and I'll burn them. Now that might just be what I need to do. I have accepted the BK and I have accepted no more cc. Now it's really time to let them go.

Ohhhh man, I so total relate! And now I feel better, knowing I'm not the only one who felt this way. I left the stack of them on my dining room table for days. I kept walking by, looking at them.

For me, this has all been a process of acceptance, levels of acceptance. It's kind of like any other major life change.

If you burn them in the firepit and they burn, let me know! I would think they would melt, but that might be very therapeutic anyway. I love my firepit, just for that reason. It's way more fun than shredding old statements

[krielly]

This too shall pass..............
I remember cutting ours up when we filed, and feeling the same sense of loss.

3 years later, however, I feel totally different about it. Living all this time credit card free hasn't always been easy, but the more time goes by, the better if feels. I actually feel a sense of empowerment now, knowing I have lived this long without plastic.

Time heals all wounds. You really will look back eventually and feel better about things.

K

[justplaintired]

This too shall pass..............
I remember cutting ours up when we filed, and feeling the same sense of loss.

3 years later, however, I feel totally different about it. Living all this time credit card free hasn't always been easy, but the more time goes by, the better if feels. I actually feel a sense of empowerment now, knowing I have lived this long without plastic.

Time heals all wounds. You really will look back eventually and feel better about things.

K

I know that's right. I know we will be there someday. We have already lived threw not using cc to pay for car repairs, and broken fridge and it did and does feel good to know we used cash. It's too bad we ever let ourselves think we couldn't do that kind of thing without a cc.
Thanks for a nice post and looking forward to hitting that long without cc usage.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Think about how well you will feel purchasing what you NEED and seeing the money flow out of your hand and buying what you NEED and knowing that you owe nothing more for it. I emphasize the NEED over the WANT, as you will force your brain into a question of need or want on things that devalue and toys that get old, but the plastic calls out to be fed once a month. I am now a true believer that the plastic money is a narcotic and seduces a person to buy what they want over needs. Just my opinion, if you can figure it out. 'Hub

[AngelinaCat]

We only had two CCs, both now long gone. Now, we just have bank (actually CU) card which has a credit side and a debit side. We are learning to utilize just what is in the account and NOT depend on a deposit to come. That is hard.

[Bandit]

OK, so...there was just one party-er...me!

You know mine are still laying in a drawer in the basement. I have not used them for 8 months. Now that is discipline.

I am going to have a party just like yours one day

[krielly]

Just to share an additional note. I remember also being devastated to give up my cards. I had stupidly attached some sense of "self worth" and pride to having all that plastic. Made me feel good about myself, and important, I guess.

Boy............looking back, that was really really DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad I've let those feelings go for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there. Things definitely get better!!!!!!!!!!!!

K

[JRScott]

Cool

After I filed for Bankruptcy I got into Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course with the local church. One night they had a credit card cutting ceremony. They brought a blender , and blending folks cards.

Well it was sympbolic but I took my 15 cards. Being I'd filed bankruptcy there weren't worth anything anymore and I let the kids blend em up.

[No Gravy]

You know mine are still laying in a drawer in the basement. I have not used them for 8 months. Now that is discipline.

Boy, I'll say!

I am going to have a party just like yours one day

I almost thought of doing some kind of art project with them...like cutting out the little Visa and Mastercard logos and making a necklace, or embedding them in a coffee table. Then I came to my senses, cut them up and threw the pieces away.

[No Gravy]

Cool

After I filed for Bankruptcy I got into Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course with the local church. One night they had a credit card cutting ceremony. They brought a blender , and blending folks cards.

Well it was sympbolic but I took my 15 cards. Being I'd filed bankruptcy there weren't worth anything anymore and I let the kids blend em up.

A blender! Wow, I'd never thought cards could go through a blender. What a cool idea.