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A little over a year ago I took on a second job. I've been working seven days a week, sometimes even eight shifts within those seven days, for that year. I initially took the second job to help me out of a little debt and intended on quitting by the end of that fall. But for a new years resolution I decided to get LASIK and felt that I needed to keep that second job to pay for it.

Now that my car payments and loans are all settled, I only have a $2k credit card debt to pay back by next July. I have a little bit of extra cash saved up as a buffer, and a little more to treat myself to a mini vacation.

So today (or technically... one hour from now) I am officially free of my part-time job. Then next week I'm taking the weekend off to head to San Diego. And when I return I'm going to be picking up a season pass for Disneyland/California Adventure. I've decided I'm too young to worry about how much money I can save for my future, and need to actually live a little now. :biggrin1:

Congrats man.

Take a fuckin' vacation.

Shawnacy said:

Now that my car payments and loans are all settled, I only have a $2k credit card debt to pay back by next July. I have a little bit of extra cash saved up as a buffer, and a little more to treat myself to a mini vacation.

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WARNING: Credit card debt is A BAD THING. Pay it off, and get your credit score back up, should you need to utilize the credit score within the next couple of years.

Don't spend money you don't really have, unless you can pay it back on time, or you truly need it to survive.

Hate you so much right now Shawnacy.....

Ross said:

WARNING: Credit card debt is A BAD THING. Pay it off, and get your credit score back up, should you need to utilize the credit score within the next couple of years.

Don't spend money you don't really have, unless you can pay it back on time, or you truly need it to survive.

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I'm actually very happy with my credit score currently. Over the years I've paid everything on time and more than the minimum, and been careful how many accounts I have opened at one time.

Shegokigo said:

Hate you so much right now Shawnacy.....

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No you don't.

Ross said:

WARNING: Credit card debt is A BAD THING.

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Not necessarily, and certainly not $2K worth.

Sounds awesome, Shawnacy! So if you have a Disneyland pass, does that mean you'll meet us next time Mr. ZM and I go?

Shawnacy said:

Shegokigo said:

Hate you so much right now Shawnacy.....

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No you don't.

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You have no idea how much I do because of that previous statement.

I have no credit card debt. I ripped them up years ago as I have no plastic card self control. They are too easy to use so I sent them into the abyss.

Now I get hit with a shitload of overage charges from my debit card. So they are gone. I'm down to all cash now, which is going to be interesting. Paypal is my friend.

I only own a Best Buy card, and it's maxxed. The GF has a pretty hefty bill on her medical credit card, but since she pays it monthly, her credit is actually increasing.

Man, the American credit system is just plain fucked.

That aside, Shawanacy, awesome. Spend your extra time on here :-D

I just see any credit card debt, no matter what the amount, to be a bad thing, especially if you have the opportunity to pay it off. At least with loans, they give you money... there's no cash anywhere when you're spending credit. The credit card companies just hope that you pay them back for the credit that you used. When you end up owing money that you never really had in the first place, or did have but didn't use it to pay off your debt, that's what really gets me, and that's why I was so quick to poo-poo Shawancy's original post.

I live by the philosophy of "never have credit debt," and "pay off your loans as quickly as possible to avoid the interest," and it's been treating me pretty well. It just irks me to see so many people accepting credit card debt as "okay" or even "the norm," and continue spending on stuff they don't need while in credit debt.

Someone alluded to this, but you can increase your credit score by keeping an active card with a balance that's a small percentage of the entire credit line, and paying at least the minimum every month. I agree, it shouldn't be relied on, but careful management of a small amount of debt is, perversely, seen as better than having no accounts open at all.

I remember when I had to open another credit card account because I was turned down for something on the basis of "not enough open accounts," since I had paid everything off. I understand the reason behind it but it's still ridiculous.

That's... very odd, actually. I'll just rely on my 4 years of credit card use, 2.5 years of apartment leasing and bills, and the fact that all of my insurance and everything is now in my name (except for health insurance, since I'm still a full-time student and can stay on my mom's plan). When I had to open a new bank account after moving, the guy making the account noted that I had a very good credit score for my age, so it seems that my philosophy has been working pretty well thus far.

I remember when I needed a small loan (about 3k) and went to a credit union because I heard they had agreeable interest rates. The agent I spoke with informed me that as I wasn't a teacher I probably couldn't get a loan at the California Credit Union (go figure), then said "But... let's just take a look at your credit score anyway". His eyes went wide and long story short I came out with the loan I needed.

I've been doing the credit card juggle a lot. Usually I pick up a new card every year or so and transfer the balance of my old one and cancel it. That way I keep the 0% introductory rate for a year which gives me more time to pay it off. True it doesn't help when I do things such as purchase LASIK or more recently a new computer and then put it on the card, but sometimes it is important to live a little bit. I'm better at paying bills then I am actually saving the money.

5-day vacation starting...now.
:whoo:

Mine starts as soon as I get out of work today!

San Diego is great. I've been to the maritime museum and had dinner overlooking the bay. I had a few too many drinks however, which is never a good idea for someone with acid reflex. My room doesn't face the bay but I have a great view of the city. Kinda enjoying sitting out on the balcony playing my DS in the chilly night air.

If you get a chance, go over to Coronado one afternoon. It's a nice place to walk around, find a place to eat, and people watch.

Frau VildSoul said:

If you get a chance, go over to Coronado one afternoon. It's a nice place to walk around, find a place to eat, and people watch.

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Yeah, Coronado is beautiful. While you're there, go pick a fight with a Seal!

Have fun! Wish I was running around in the sun. It's in the upper 50's here. :sniffle: