If you have been reading, then you know the number one step in eliminating your credit card debt…Cut up your credit cards.

Now step two:

Getting rid of the temptation

Everyone is tempted sometimes, its just a fact of life. From Adam and Eve checking out the tasty looking apples hangin out on the tree in garden to me buying (and later taking back after I came to my senses) a gigantic TV. Credit cards are one of the most insidious forms of temptation because they allow for immediate gratification EVERY DAY. Giving in isn’t selling your soul to the Devil, but it is like selling your wallet to him. Of course the devil in this case is the credit card company and your eternal damnation is an eternity of debt. Sick of the personification? Ok, lets down to business.

Temptation #1: The Mail
Most people don’t know this but you can actually stop the credit bureaus from seeling your name and address. To get the forms dial 1-888-5-OUTPUT. Thats right, no more “0% limited time offer is here now, you must do this now or else you will never get another good deal again and your firstborn is cursed and you will regret it for the rest of your natural life. Really you will, you fool, get our card now or risk eternal damnation and burn in hellfire with the other that did not take this offer” mail. Not to mention the “this is official and dated information, VERY important. You MUST fill out this form.” Next, write to the Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008.

Bonus step: Call your credit card companies that you have accounts open with that you want your account marked to indicate that you do not wish to have any of your personal information shared with telemarketing firms. Remember, just because we cut up our cards doesn’t mean we are closing our credit lines (Dont!) so credit card companies will still treat you like a customer which includes sending you crap.

Temptation number #2: Free Stuff
“Five free oil changes if you fill our this credit card application.” “Sign up today and get a free PONY!” “You are entered to win a life of ease drinking margaritas on the beach, all you have to do is fill out this application.” Do any of those things sound familiar? Oh yeah, of course they do. Walk on a college campus or through a mall on a busy day, and you WILL see people peddling credit card apps for random free crap. Don’t give in. You will be able to buy 100 ponies with the money you will save not paying 20% interest on a maxed out credit card.

Temptation number #3: Store discount
I have covered this before, and if you are one of the 15% of people that pay off store purchases right away then you probably aren’t reading this article. So, simply, don’t do it. Check my girlfriends testimony on the credit card cutup contest.

Now that we’ve slain the temptation dragon, tomorrow we taken on the next step….

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