Credit Card Angst

When Urban Cowboy and I became engaged we decided to get a credit card to pay for the wedding expenses and to make our daily purchases on to earn points toward free airline miles. I was hesitant, at first, because in my college days I did have some bad experiences with irresponsible credit card use and I was not eager to repeat my mistakes. Urban Cowboy assured me we would purchase only what we could pay off per month. Now, almost a year later I cannot picture our lives without this credit card and I am very proud of us for never carrying a balance. Still, though, I am sometimes scared and I sometimes choose to buy things with my bank debit card versus the credit card because the high balance causes personal anxiety. Urban Cowboy does not like when I do this because it subtracts points from our credit card rewards program but I just can't help it.

Anyway, the other day I knew I turned a corner and my credit card angst is subsiding because I looked at a wedding - related item I had bought with our credit card and I was so happy to know I did not owe any money on it. We own that item because we pay our credit card balance off each month. I guess I think it's healthy to be mildly concerned about my spending habits and to experience some angst regarding credit card use because it helps me be a discretionary spender and helps me keep my financial ducks in a row. Overall, though, I'm satisfied with my growth and increased sense of fiscal responsiblity as I prepare to enter a new phase in my life.

Dr. Phil, and many others, say money is the number one reason for marital problems. Urban Cowboy and I seem to be of like minds in how we plan to save and spend our money so I'm hoping money will not be a source of stress for our marriage. I'm sure our relationship will not be perfect but I am sure we will work hard to make our marriage successful. :-)