Overspending is Too Common
People write out checks to purchase things when they know full well that they do not have the necessary funds in their account much more often than most would care to admit. Although common, this bad habit can lead to poor financial management and debt later on down the line.
When you take a job, you are given a salary. The salary only changes if you get a promotion. For those that work an hourly wage, the amount of your check changes if you work more or less hours each week. Despite our paychecks being fairly consistent, people continue to spend more money than they earn.
Many such individuals are tricked by “buy now, pay later” offers. When people looking to buy something will not have to pay anything for two years, they are often blind to the dangers inherent in such financial arrangements. Furniture stores offering such deals often get people who only wanted to buy a bed to leave the store purchasing complete bedroom sets instead.
Keep in mind, though, that if you could not afford to buy the bed you wanted to look for, buying even more expensive bedroom furniture really does not make a lot of sense. Not having to pay for two years is no guarantee that you will have the money you need to pay for your furniture then either.
Credit cards can trick inexperienced card holders as well. Some people think that, although they don’t have the money they need to make a certain purchase at the moment, they will have it by the time their monthly credit card statement arrives. Without planning such expenses into the budget, however, it will be very difficult to come up with the money at the end of the month. This could lead to leaving a running balance on your credit card that will incur interest rates until it is paid off.
We have to learn to be financially responsible or the debt situation will worsen. More people will file for bankruptcy or pay credit counselors to fix the debt problem. While these options are available to help those who have gotten deep into debt find their way out, far too few people take advantage of the help that is offered.
For some, having at least some kind of debt has become a way to fit in with others, even being considered as some sort of status symbol by some. Many individuals think that, so long as they are always able to pay their minimum monthly payment on credit cards, they can be in debt without problems. This means, however, that they will end up spending more in the long run because of interest rates.
As long as there is a credit company or store willing to extend more credit, the problem of overspending will continue. How we handle money affects the next generation of consumers. They learn from watching us. What are we teaching them?
July 15th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Knowing all your options is important before making a major financial decision. You don’t want to entangle yourself in an agreement only to find out you have sunk deeper into debt. Thanks for the article!