Conquering Credit Card Madness

From The Word For You Today.

Half of America's families outspend their income and carry over $8,000 on credit cards. Sometimes it's due to skyrocketing utility and medical costs, but most times it's all the extras we can't live without, like gourmet coffee, expensive hobbies, exotic vacations, and shopping to make ourselves feel good.

Columnist Donna F. Savage admits: "I'm shopping for an experience ... to make the occasion memorable ... directionless shopping hides the motivation behind spending decisions ... A few Hallmark sentiments and a gift card will do the trick ... Pizza and a new DVD should bring the family together ... dinner and a movie will restore marital intimacy ... contentment slips out of reach with each substitution. Since our deepest expectations aren't met, we keep ... spending."

Jesus said, "Don't be greedy! Owning a lot of things won't make your life safe." Curb your out-of-control spending with a few simple steps:

Think small: tackle one bill at a time; it's amazing what you accomplish when you're serious and stick with it: "Let us not become weary in doing good ... at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Gal. 6:9).

Remember the power within you is bigger than the financial challenge ahead of you, so if you "get knocked down ... get up ... and keep going" (2Cor. 4:9).

Spell out your financial goals: decide what's truly important - how much you'll save, how much you'll give and how much debt you can handle without jeopardizing your future. The reason we never reach our goals, is because we don't set any. Wisdom means knowing where you're going and what it will take to get there!