I have sinned….
By ronaldinu
@ronaldinu (12422)
Malta
March 17, 2010 3:59pm CST
Well I have to confess publicly that I have sinned. I have vowed never to do it again, encouraged others not do to it but I am the culprit of committing this sin myself. I have advised my friends, my colleagues at work, my online friends in mylot, family members against the use of credit cards. It is very easy to get entangled in a web of spending beyond your means. One procrastinates to pay and debit fees and interest rates start to accumulate. Therefore I think that the best thing is to put your credit cards safe where you cannot make use of them.
Anyway a friend of mine encouraged me to participate in a dog seminar that I always wanted to attend. This means booking a flight ticket to United Kingdom. I was lucky as this seminar is going to be held over the weekend and therefore I can make it. Otherwise it would have been very difficult to obtain leave from work. My friend is picking up at the airport and I am staying with friends so this saves me some money! It’s only a weekend visit but I am still glad that I am going to be able to travel abroad doing something that I really like.
Anyway I had to use my visa credit card in order to purchase the flight tickets online. I have sinned! I am $235 poorer but at the same time I am happy that I managed to book the flights at a reasonable price. Do you sin too?
5 people like this
19 responses
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
17 Mar 10
That is not a hefty sin. Some people blow more than that on an Xbox. You may meet a girl on the trip who could be the love of your life, you just never know what this trip can mean....
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
17 Mar 10
Coffeegurl... I am hoping that my better half does not read this LOL Otherwise she won't allow me to travel. I am going for a dog seminar on my breed. So it is going to be a learning experience not a romance holiday. Thanks for your feedback!
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
17 Mar 10
LOL at coffeegurl! I will be looking at blondes and even touching them, that is blondes with four legged, furry and a tail!
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
17 Mar 10
Coffeegurl Disclaimer: Ahem, I did not, repeat, DID NOT know that Ronaldinu had another "Half" and if you are reading this, it was only a kindly suggestion.....I attest that Ronald will only be paying attention to dogs, so as not to end up staying in the "dog house."
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
•
18 Mar 10
Yes, I have to agree with you there whole heartedly. I always keep a record of what I am spending with my credit card, and I keep a close eye on my balance on line too. I decided a long time ago that I would have to pay it at the end of every month in full, because the charges on credit cards are very expensive. It would be cheaper for me to arrange an overdraft with my bank, and I won't do that because it becomes a vicious circle of trying to get out of debt again.
Now, I may go without a lot of things, as my parents did because they never had credit cards and would never borrow a cent. It is quite easy now that I am used to it.
I wouldn't like to be without my credit card though because it is very convenient for buying things on line. 
_Derek
_Derek1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
19 Mar 10
Hi derek_a, I do agree with you.... it becomes a vicious circle one difficult to get out of.... Usually I use the credit cards to buy books online too. cheers.
@GardenGerty (157481)
• United States
18 Mar 10
I do not have credit cards any more, and will not get any. I got into way too much trouble. My advice is to go gather up ever bit of extra money that you may have, and apply it as soon as possible to the credit card. Do that on a weekly basis, so that you are paying down the balance and losing less in interest. Use your Mylot money, or any other online earnings. Cut out on eating out for a month, and be conservative in other ways. You will pay that off in no time. Remember that the sooner you start, the less you will actually pay out in interest.
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
Thanks for your feedback GardenGerty
I am trying to put any extra income that I earn into the credit card to get rid of the debit as much as possible.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
17 Mar 10
Yeah, but mine is because I ran out of money to pay bills last month and had to pay a bill with a credit card. The month before that it was to pay for fixing my car. I'm hoping I will have enough money soon. Take care
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
17 Mar 10
I hope that you don't receive other extra unplanned bills to pay. I hope that the little earnings from mylot helps you a little bit. Take care too. :)
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
18 Mar 10
Credit cards are great!! Cash back means everything is cheaper to buy.You are using someone elses money for a month while yours can be making money. The only sin is if you don't pay them off before the interest charges show up.I won't even mention those who load up the card and pay the minimum.That 20 percent interest decreases your buying power by 1/5. It's no wonder you can't afford to buy.
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
Hi bird. Thanks for your advice. I am going to make it a point to repay the debit as soon as I can.
@rosegardens (3034)
• United States
18 Mar 10
In my country if one does not establish credit at an early age then we cannot buy a car or house later in life. I know a few people who swore off credit cards, and have paid the price because they cannot finance the big ticket items.
Using cash is commendable, but instead of being afraid of using the card plan on making as large payments as possible every month to pay it down and only use it sparsely, just enough to establish credit and not go into debt.
the best thing to do is only charge what you can pay off in a month, so you do not accumulate interest charges. Sometimes it cannot be helped, such as your case. You need the ticket money to take the flight and attend the seminar.
I hope you have a great time while you are at the dog show.
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
HI rosegardens, I am trying to put any extra money that I earn into it to cut out the debit as soon as possible. I hope that I win the lottery to stop worrying.
Thanks for your feedback and your greetings
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Mar 10
I probably sin everyday without conscious thought..lol I do not use credit cards though..although I would like a prepaid debit but still haven't gotten one of those as of yet and probably won't either for awhile. I do hope you will be able to enjoy yourself and don't be to hard on yourself your saving lot of money doing other things and saving money staying with friends..so it is only a guilty pleasure maybe instead of a sin..lol I have never been on a plane and although I don't like to say never...buy that would be what I would say about a plane..I don't ever want to get on one..lol I like my feet on the ground..buses and trains is all I can do..unless was knocked out..
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
I hope that you ll overcome your fear and have the money to do it. Travelling besides being fun really opens your horizons and perspective in life.
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
18 Mar 10
Have the time of your life, my friend! That will make it well worth a bit of debt!
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
Thanks cobrateacher. I hope that I will be able to pay it later.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
17 Mar 10
I learned to use my credit card to actually make some money! I have one that gives me 2% cash back. Not a huge amount, but it goes right to my savings account. I use it for groceries, paying bills, etc. and every time I use it I enter it in red in my checkbook register and subtract it, just like a debit. When the bill comes, I add it all back in and write the check. I treat it like a debit card. Every couple of months I cash in my rewards and deposit the check in my savings account. I make about $600 a year that way.
So yes, I sin but I get rewarded for it and never carry a balance!
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
17 Mar 10
HI Dragon I am glad that you make wise use of your credit card. I don't think that we have that kind of credit card that gives you 2% cash back or at least I have not heard of it in my country. I guess every little helps even if it is 2% return. Cashing in your rewards helps too. Thanks for sharing. The secret is never to carry a balance:)
@dawnald (85130)
• Shingle Springs, California
17 Mar 10
Send a check to your credit card carrier, say 5 hail Marys and go have fun!
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
17 Mar 10
LOL @ dawnald. I almost bursted my tea on the screen. thanks for your reply
1 person likes this
@keelymcilwain (797)
• Canada
18 Mar 10
I hate visa's. I am young, had a high interest. I maxed both mine out when I was 21. And have only just recently paid it off 3 years later. I got mine when I was going to school. I struggled to make payments and will never have one again!! ( I hope. ) So I hope that works as my confession to sinning.
Have fun on your trip. I wish I could go learn about my dogs breeds. I think that would be neat.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
19 Mar 10
Thanks for your greetings. What is your breed you are into?
Thanks for your reply
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
17 Mar 10
I use my credit card for convenience - but I never spend more than I'll be able to pay off by the due date. Consequently, I never pay charges on the card and I get a small amount back in vouchers every few months.
So, no, I dont think you've sinned. Which part of the UK are you going to? I hope you have good journeys and enjoy the seminar 
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
17 Mar 10
I am going in Kent area as my friends live there. The seminar is going to be held in Dartford. thanks for your greetings
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
Pity you still don't live there:) You might have seen me knocking on your door. Thanks for your reply
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
18 Mar 10
Hi ronaldinu,
Well once in a while in no sin and its what is of interest to you, so enjoy UK when you come over, wish I could meet up with you but its all depends where about you are going, have fun.
Tamara
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
I am going to be in Kent and it is going to be only for a weekend.
I would love that too.... Do you live in the dartford area?
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
18 Mar 10
Hi ronaldinu,
no, I live in W.Sussex and it would be difficult for me to get there as I don't drive, it is quite far, enjoy your time when you get here.
Tamara
@msedge (4011)
• United States
18 Mar 10
I don't think it is a sin if we use to it for a good cause or to do things that make us happy like you had use it for travelling that you want doing.I use my credit card during emegencies.I never use it for shopping.I use it to pay bills sometimes.It helps alot when we got one because we can use it anytime we want to.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
19 Mar 10
I think you use your credit card very wisely.
I do that too but sometimes it is a great temptation to overspend.
Thanks for your reply
@livewyre (2450)
•
18 Mar 10
Well the sin would if you were not in a realistic position to pay off the money without accruing too much interest.
I have gone through three 0% credit cards in an attempt to rid myself of credit card debt, but am ashamed to say (after saying no end of times how foolish credt card debt is...) that I have been unable to pay of the last bit, and over the last few months the debt has started to rise a little... and now I am paying interest again!
I am fully aware of how to get rid of the debt, but my discipline has left me right near the end of my quest just when I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I think I am going to have to get yet another 0% credt card to finally pay off the last bit of debt.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
HI livewrye... Sometimes we must he hard on ourselves otherwise we ll end up spending more than we wearn. Thanks for your feedback
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
22 Mar 10
lol =D Dun look at credit cards as a sin.. IT's more for convenience when we really need it at the right moments!! IT's not as if, we are spending in anyway we like, without thinking of the consequences..
Credit card is not a nightmare as long as we dun allow it to take control over us instead of we, over them!! lol =D
Dun worry, u have not sin!! hehe
@gerald_lian (2188)
• Australia
18 Mar 10
Oh wow, I never knew that spending with a credit card is a sin! 
If overspending with a credit card is a sin, I would probably be guilty of sin once or twice before. I first got my credit card last year, and I normally don't spend using the credit card unless I have to, for example for booking flights online. I am quite good at controlling my spending, so temptation to spend is usually not there. However, like I mentioned, there have been some extraordinary circumstance that forced me to overspend, and I wouldn't want to tell the story unless if sufficient people are curious enough to want to know (3 is the minimum 
), in which case I will reveal it all.
If overspending with a credit card is a sin, I would probably be guilty of sin once or twice before. I first got my credit card last year, and I normally don't spend using the credit card unless I have to, for example for booking flights online. I am quite good at controlling my spending, so temptation to spend is usually not there. However, like I mentioned, there have been some extraordinary circumstance that forced me to overspend, and I wouldn't want to tell the story unless if sufficient people are curious enough to want to know (3 is the minimum ), in which case I will reveal it all. @ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
19 Mar 10
Hi gerald-lian
Sometimes as you have well said we are tempted to overspend money. We should avoid that at all cost since we have to pay it at a later stage.
Thanks for your reply
@pastorkayte (2255)
• United States
18 Mar 10
Not with my credit cards, you know if I cant pay cash I dont do it but realistically it is a great price to fly somewhere so I guess you had a good reason just keep working till you pay them back. May God help you with that.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
19 Mar 10
HI Pastorkayte, I will continue to work and I ll hope to pay it back soon. Thanks for your reply
@hvedra (1619)
•
18 Mar 10
The whole point of having a credit card is to use it when it is convenient for YOU. As long as you are sensible and pay it off ASAP then that's okay. When people have eight cards and are paying the monthly minimum on all of them then it's convenient for the credit card company.
Did you know that credit card companies refer to people who pay off the full amount every month as "Deadbeats". Really, they only make profit off of those who underpay and they hate prompt payers.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
18 Mar 10
HI hvedra. I did not know that. I hope that I will be a deadbet on them though right now I cannot pay promptly but I am going to cut it as soon as i can.
