What has changed? (with out credit cards)

[freakedout]

We stopped using cards in August and honestly are enjoying paying cash only. We also used cards for things we thought were emergencies that really weren't. We are doing the envelope thing - not Dave Ramsey - just envelopes. We sold some stuff on Craiglist and keep an envelope of cash for my son for when he wants to go snowboarding, or the movies or whatever. We also for the first time ever had cash for christmas. We have always put christmas on a cc. The cash part feels good. I do worry about a true emergency but I guess we will handle that if and when it happens.

[PacificBlue]

Here's another example of IF we were still using CC's.

We have a 52 inch rear projection TV. It's about 10 years old. (yeah, I know people are still laughing that sold those huh)... anyway..

It started acting up. We would turn it on, but it would just go right back off. So I got online and type in my problems and one of 32 things could be causing it. Start replacing here, and end here. (no thanks). I called a few shops, and even they got a laugh.. "you want to PAY to have that fixed"? (&*^^%$ You buddy)

So I found one site where some guy was having the same problem. He opened it up disconnected the front video jacks, and it worked again. So I did that to mine.. and it works again. (but every time we shut it off, I wonder.. will it come back on).

NOW... had we still been using the CC's we would have a brand new flat screen, LCD oh, about a 60 incher or so hanging on the wall.

[lindsay2181]

Here's another example of IF we were still using CC's.

We have a 52 inch rear projection TV. It's about 10 years old. (yeah, I know people are still laughing that sold those huh)... anyway..

It started acting up. We would turn it on, but it would just go right back off. So I got online and type in my problems and one of 32 things could be causing it. Start replacing here, and end here. (no thanks). I called a few shops, and even they got a laugh.. "you want to PAY to have that fixed"? (&*^^%$ You buddy)

So I found one site where some guy was having the same problem. He opened it up disconnected the front video jacks, and it worked again. So I did that to mine.. and it works again. (but every time we shut it off, I wonder.. will it come back on).

NOW... had we still been using the CC's we would have a brand new flat screen, LCD oh, about a 60 incher or so hanging on the wall.

I totally get you on that one. I used to toss out things when they were broken and go buy a replacement, but now I google how to fix them and if it absolutely can't be fixed, we can usually just learn to make do without it.

[broketucson]

We just went Christmas shopping last night, in cash. Although it hurt to watch all that money disappearing into the hands of strangers behind cash registers on the way home in the car we felt pretty darn good knowing we didn't borrow a cent and still got some pretty nice gifts

[StartingOver08]

Sold my 50" plasma last year when I really needed the funds, didn't get much for it as it was 3+ yrs old. Lived for more than a yr without TV, then picked up a 32" LCD for cash about 2 mths ago. Living without didn't hurt one bit and paying cash means no debt - of course notice that it is smaller and so was the price! I still don't have any premium channels, if I can't watch what comes with basic cable included in HOA fee, then I check the computer. If its not there - I don't watch it. But I don't miss it one bit.

[jadams]

But when you know your right, (it wasn't a stolen card) and your being accused of being in the wrong.. it does piss ya off a little.

Credit cards are not bearer instruments. They were right to not take it.