Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Does anyone experience a "comfort zone" when being manageably in debt?

Jimellow · 07-19-2005, 10:24 AM

A year or so ago, I signed up for a credit card, both to help build a credit rating (previously non-existant), as well as learn money management skills.

I think I've done a pretty good job overall, and have not gone excessively in debt - primarily using it for gas and small purchases - and paying it down each month to a reasonable (below $100) amount.

I take comfort in knowing that I have this debt, but that it's manageable. I am not sure how to explain the feeling, and I've been raised to only buy what I can afford, which I do. Yet, the feeling of owing a manageable, and affordable, amount is reassuring to me, and I am curious if anyone else experiences it?

I am not sure what the feeling is.. Perhaps independance, that I am managing my own money successfully, and resisting the urge to go deeply into credit, while instead managing the card's usage wisely and controllably.

My card also rewards a % of spendings back, and I guess that also is part of the good feeling, though I honestly think it has minimal effect on the overall "comfort zone" feeling.

Having been reared by parents that own a single credit card, that they rarely use, and that generally have a negative view of credit in general, perhaps the fact that I am using and managing a credit card wisely, and thus proving them wrong, is also a factor in this feeling.

Can anyone else relate to this "comfort zone" feeling? And if you can, what do you attribute to its cause?

07-19-2005, 10:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jimellow Junkie	Does anyone experience a "comfort zone" when being manageably in debt? A year or so ago, I signed up for a credit card, both to help build a credit rating (previously non-existant), as well as learn money management skills. I think I've done a pretty good job overall, and have not gone excessively in debt - primarily using it for gas and small purchases - and paying it down each month to a reasonable (below $100) amount. I take comfort in knowing that I have this debt, but that it's manageable. I am not sure how to explain the feeling, and I've been raised to only buy what I can afford, which I do. Yet, the feeling of owing a manageable, and affordable, amount is reassuring to me, and I am curious if anyone else experiences it? I am not sure what the feeling is.. Perhaps independance, that I am managing my own money successfully, and resisting the urge to go deeply into credit, while instead managing the card's usage wisely and controllably. My card also rewards a % of spendings back, and I guess that also is part of the good feeling, though I honestly think it has minimal effect on the overall "comfort zone" feeling. Having been reared by parents that own a single credit card, that they rarely use, and that generally have a negative view of credit in general, perhaps the fact that I am using and managing a credit card wisely, and thus proving them wrong, is also a factor in this feeling. Can anyone else relate to this "comfort zone" feeling? And if you can, what do you attribute to its cause? __________________ Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.