Credit You Lost From Your Credit Card

Have you ever stopped to think about how much money is dropping by your doorstep in the guise of home equity lines of credit, credit card applications, random loan deals, checking account offers (at least, there’s no evil catch on this one) and such? I mean, just think about all those juicy checks and easy dollars they dangle in front of us.


I just took a tally of what I’ve received in a week’s time. I’ve calculated almost $600K of credit and free miles ready for us to pluck and spend away. There were at least 15 credit card enticements in our pile, all pretty much saying the same thing and trumpeting similar deals, most with limits set at $2,000. We, of course, treat all of this as scrap, which means they immediately hit the confetti bin as torn, indistinguishable shreds. But I couldn’t help but think about all the people who have received the same tempting credit lines who think of these as life saving schemes, as hope for a tough day-to-day hand-to-mouth existence and as a way out of denial and constant restriction.

What about all those people who don’t say “No” to all this temptation? Don’t get me wrong. I have said “Yes” to my credit card (and spare), but the difference is that for the cards I did apply for, I recall having done some extensive research on them as I was particular about choosing those that gave me back the best rewards for my needs. I chased after them myself, not the other way around. I’ve never reached the limits I have on these cards because I pay them off every month.

So in your case, how would you respond to the lenders out there telling you how to spend their money on your bills, on travel or on home remodeling projects? I personally get annoyed that so much paper had to go in the production of so much junk. And frankly, here’s wishing that you do too.