EP 065: Money Mondays Episode 3: “The Power of Credit”

Being in the financial education space... I see this is an issue where many people get stuck:

Credit card debt. 

Or maybe they aren't even in debt but just figuring out HOW to manage different accounts and how to save to actually start INVESTING or trading.

Cat Alford, who is a financial educator specializing in personal finance, and myself both brought two sides and two different opinions to the table to offer one common goal:

To help you discern the best way to handle credit cards for you and your family. 

You can also listen on Spotify, iTunes and Stitcher

Click here to watch on YouTube if you would like to see the comments or participate in asking a question.

And if you aren't subscribed to my channel for weekly videos - click here.  

We started off this session giving our two different perspectives of the use of credit cards. 

Cat Alford typically uses debit cards because she knows once she uses that debit card, the money is gone. 

"It's about reducing the mental load", she explains. 

For her, it is worth it to only have that one step - to peacefully know that when she swipes that card that's it, the money is gone.

Instead of having to pay it off later. 

I have a a different perspective. 

For me, using my credit card is like having a data base in the cloud with all of my transactions and having someone to fight more me if a claim goes wrong. 

We BOTH agree: Debt is NO GOOD. 

So you have to find a system that works for you. 

I never spend money that I don't have, but I use my credit card on nearly all expenses. 

Here's why:

1. It helps keep track of what I have spent
2. If I purchase something that goes wrong, my money hasn't disappeared yet
3. The credit card company will be my advocate because they want THEIR money back 
4. Reward points and cash back
5. Enhances credit score

Because I pay my credit card bill BEFORE it even arrives, it improves my credit score and you start to get perks from the credit card companies...

For example:

I will use just ONE credit card for all of my purchases, which helps me keep track, for about 6-12 months. 

Then I can call the credit company and increase my limit, because I always pay it off. 

Then I will switch to another credit card and do the same thing. 

My limit increases AND usually the credit card companies are calling me with extra perks, wondering why I switched to another credit card.  

The bottom line is with credit cards:

YOU NEED TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU. 

Maybe that means doing it Cat's way - only using cash and debit cards. 

Maybe that means taking a few chips from my bag and using the kick backs of credit cards. 

Either way:

Debt = slavery

And that is DEFINITELY something you want to avoid. 

I remember when I was in debt... I was so sick to my stomach all of the time. Having debt collectors constantly calling... 

It's not a situation you ever want to be in. 

If you're not in debt - learn from my past and DON'T get into debt. 

I got into debt because... 

Well, I didn't know better. 

I didn't have someone guiding me or teaching me. 

So again I urge you: Learn from financial educators like Cat Alford and myself. 

Learn from my past and GET EDUCATED about finances, about saving money, about investing, and about trading in the stock market. 

If you haven't already, join my free Facebook group by clicking here so you can surround yourself with others who wanted to become financially literate. 

And check out my free webinar here to help you get started with the first few steps of investing. 

Get the right tools....

And then I will feel like a proud parent when I say...

"Stay out of debt, kids!"