Should you be afraid of your debit card? What a stupid question! Its just a piece of plastic that allows you to access your checking account – right? While you should not have to fear your debit card, you may be better off doing just that.
When it comes to how you spend the money you and your family have, one of the easiest and fastest ways to unload it is using that small piece of plastic. Studies have shown that we as people, and use plastic and wind up spending more than what we should. In fact, is that not what a credit card does?
A debit card, while does not directly add to your debt, can get you in big trouble. For instance, you go to the store to purchase the single item on your list. Just before you make the purchase, you “browse” the sale items and there is something else you think you really need. Never mind the fact that you only came for the one item, you convince yourself that you can afford the purchase of the second item because the money is in the bank and you have your ol’ trusty debit card.
Technically, you are right – the money is in your account. However, the extra money you just spent was part of the car payment, or money for the electric bill, or worse – money for the food you will need this month. Now you are behind and how will you ever make it up to meet those obligations?
Plastic, credit or debit cards can and often do get people in trouble – including those who say that they live on a budget. Debit cards, just like credit cards, will allow you to lose control.
There is only one way to stay on track – cash!
However, if one is very closely monitoring ones spending as they must answer to themselves, theor spouse and Parkey then it is possible that they think twice before even getting that single item.
Oh, how true….