How do you feel when the subject of credit cards comes up? Do you know every last little thing about every card currently on the market? Or do you break out in a cold sweat?
If the latter happens to you, then you could be credit card phobic. While many people manage several cards at once and possibly even have debts on the cards, others don’t hold any at all. Now there are many reasons why people decide not to own credit cards and opt to go on a cash only diet, but if you don’t feel confident about using plastic, then it’s possible that you could have a fear of credit cards.
Are You Credit Card Phobic?
Check out the following tell tale signs that point out the possibility that you could be credit card phobic:
- You don’t like talking about credit cards at all and avoid conversations about them.
- You feel panicky at the mere thought of applying for a credit card.
- You don’t feel in control if someone asks you about the possibility of getting a credit card.
- You panic about receiving a high credit limit.
There may be other telltale signs, but what we’ve listed above are some of the more obvious things to note.
How To Be More Comfortable With Plastic
First thing to do? Take it easy. If you do feel you have a phobia about credit cards, it is possible to get over it. The following pointers are each designed to combat the telltale signs given above:
- Ask yourself why you don’t like talking about credit cards. Chatting about them shouldn’t be an issue because you aren’t committing to actually getting one. Be prepared to talk about them because it could mean you can learn more about what they can do for you. See how you can demystify the topic.
- Determine why you feel panicky or have anxiety. You have to discover the reason for your panic in order to defuse it. For instance, it could be the case that your fear stems from the fact that your parents ran up big debts on credit cards. If this is the case, then you can address your issues by realizing that you are your own person. You are someone else here.
- Do you feel a need for control? The best way to combat your worry is to think about why you don’t feel in control. The more you focus on this, the more likely it is that you will unearth the reason for this feeling. If you’d rather stay away from the risks posed by cards and you don’t trust yourself, then by all means avoid using cards.
- You don’t have to have a high credit limit if you don’t want one! Sometimes, credit card companies will write to you to tell you that they have increased your limit, but you are perfectly within your rights to call them and say you actually want it lowered. If you want $1,000 and no more, then tell them so.
Credit cards do not have to be troublesome or dangerous. The cards themselves are not the problem: it is often the people who use them that get themselves into trouble. When you realize this and work on using your cards responsibly, then you will discover that it is possible to get the best out of them without having to deal with any phobias. It may take time to get over your anxiety, but it is entirely possible to do so!
We are smart enough to make rational decisions about the use of credit, or the avoidance thereof.
Point taken. It may be a good idea to have credit card anxiety if you can’t trust yourself with handling credit. This way you can avoid getting into further debt.
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