Trying to Pay Off Debt? Should You Stop Using Credit Cards?

Hey, did you bravely list out your debts yesterday? Lemme just tell you that's huge. But are you still using the very cards you're trying to pay off? It's like trying to bail out a boat while drilling in new holes today. Let's talk about stopping the digging. I. Hey there, and welcome back to Your Daily Ask Ralph.

I'm Ralph, so proud of you sticking with me during this tough time, especially as we tackle the tough topic of debt in our series, the Joy of Living Below Your means, we're continuing our journey together to break that cycle of financial shame and do it with confidence. facing those numbers. Yes. Yesterday was step one. Today, we're moving on to step two, so you have your list of debts. Maybe seeing it all laid out, brought some clarity.

Maybe some determination, but perhaps you're also feeling stuck in that cycle still. You make payments trying to chip away at the balances, but then you turn around and use that same credit card again for groceries or gas and unexpected expense, or even just every day wants it feels like you're taking one step forward and two steps back.

Right. I get it. I've been there too. I've had the success of feeling like I'm making some progress. Then the unexpected happens again, and you reach for that credit card.

You're working hard, but the balances just don't seem to go down or they, they even creep back up on you. That frustrating, demoralizing cycle where your efforts to pay off debtor constantly undermined by continuing to add new charges. Well, that's the single difficulty we absolutely have to address today. Here's the thing, you can't effectively get out of a hole while you're still digging. You just can't.

Continuing to use credit cards while trying to pay off credit card debt is just financially counterproductive. It keeps you relying on borrowing rather than learning to live within your means and trust God's actual provision. The Bible chapter 22 verse seven of Proverbs tells us the borrower is slave to the lender. And if we wanna break free from that slavery, we often need to take some radical steps.

Included removing the very tool that keeps us bound those credit cards themselves, especially when they're carrying balances month to month. It's gonna require discipline and a decisive break from old habits. So now you're asking Ralph, what can we do? How do we break this frustrating debt cycle? How do we ensure our debt payoff efforts actually are making progress? Well, you know, I've got an answer. And the single essential solution, if you're carrying consumer debt. Stop using credit cards.

At least temporarily, but maybe permanently. This means making a firm decision to rely solely on the money you actually have using your debit card, or paying physical cash for all of your spending. Now, that's a radical idea. Like I said earlier, it might be time for a radical change. So now you're asking Ralph, explain to me how this helps. Here's how it helps. It does a few critical things. First thing it does is it stops the bleeding. You immediately stop adding new debt to the pile.

The second thing it does is it forces budget adherence. You can only spend what you actually have in your bank account, forcing you to live within your budget.

It also breaks dependency. It helps break the psychological reliance on credit as a safety net or or source of instant gratification. It also allows progress because every dollar you pay towards debt now actually reduces the debt, and that creates some real momentum in the end. The solution is decisive action. Ditch the credit cards, or at least while you're in debt. Okay, now this one requires some commitment. So are you ready? Well, here's your one action step for today.

Right now, make the decision if you have credit card debt you're trying to pay off, decide today. Will you stop using credit cards temporarily until you're at least debt free or, or make it a permanent change that you're just not gonna use credit cards at all? The next thing you've gotta do is take physical action, go get your wallet or purse and do it right now. Take out all your credit cards out. Yes, all of them. And I want you to put them away or destroy them. Yes, I said destroy them.

Don't just put them aside. Make them inconvenient. Put them in a safe place that you don't access daily. Some people literally freeze them in a block of ice. Now, that's what I call a true credit freeze. If you're really committed and know they're a major temptation, maybe you gotta consider cutting them up. Maybe keep one for true emergencies locked away if it's absolutely necessary. But be honest with yourself. I'm gonna encourage you to switch, like I said a few minutes ago, to debit or cash.

Commit that starting immediately, all of your purchases will be made using your debit card linked to your checking account or physical cash. That way, you can't spend what you don't have. And now you're saying, Ralph, that's a really dramatic step. Why am I taking this potentially drastic step? It directly attacks that difficult cycle of debt, and it's the only way to guarantee that you'll stop digging the hole deeper. It forces you to live on your actual income.

It provides the necessary foundation for your debt payoff plan to actually work and listen to this. It begins to break the chains of credit dependency. How about we pray together, Father God breaking habits and dependencies is hard work. Lord, I pray for my friend listening.

Who knows they need to stop using credit cards to get free from debt. Grant them strength. Grant them resolve right now to make that decision and take the physical action of putting the cards away. Lord, help them to resist a temptation to rely on credit. Build in them a deeper trust in your provision through the money they actually have. Lord, we ask that you will give them wisdom and discipline as they learn to manage spending with debit and cash.

And may this radical step be a powerful move towards the freedom you desire for them. And we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright, well it's time to take that step and it's time to take it today. Put the cards away. It might feel scary, but it's incredibly empowering. You are taking control and listen, This is a non-negotiable step. If you're serious about getting out of debt. you can do this. Huge steps taken. We listed the debt and we stopped adding to it. Now let's start attacking it.

So be sure to join me back here tomorrow on Ask Ralph where we'll ask, need debt payoff motivation? Can $20 make a difference? That will be the focus of tomorrow's show.

If this episode gave you the courage to ditch the cards, do me a favor and share it with somebody who may be also struggling. You can find resources and links in the show notes at our new website, financially confident christian.com. So until tomorrow, live on what you have and keep seeking him first. And let's keep moving on, becoming financially confident Christians, stay financially savvy, and God bless you. Have a great day. And remember, you are making progress. One day at a time.