10 Easy Ways To Stay In Debt
1. Don’t keep track of your money. At all. After all, paying over-limit and insufficient fund fees are a great way to accumulate more debt.
2. Use credit cards for everything. But make sure to not pay them off in full each month. You want to float some of that money for a rainy day, or something. After all, it’s like *your* money since the credit card lets you have it, right?
3. Don’t save. Saving is like the anti-debt. Don’t save anything, for any reason.
4. Shop for fun, and make sure to let your impulsive side show. Buying on impulse is a great way to keep that debt running high.
5. Interest rates? Cash back? Who cares! I want a credit card that is pretty and matches my purse*. Oh, and can I put a picture of my cat/dog/kid on it? Even better….
6. Buy the most house the bank will let you. Because if the bank will give you the money, it has to be okay.
7. Do not shop around. Just buy it wherever, would it really save you any money to check prices? In fact, I saw a commercial where it was just a waste of time to check prices and commercials never lie. Do not confuse this with “do not shop”. Shopping is good. Shop early, late, and often.
8. Credit card full? Get another. Or move the balance somewhere else and charge it up again.
9. Or - wait! Put it all into a home equity loan! Then charge it up again. Awesome.
10. Don’t care. That’s the biggest one. Just… don’t … care. Don’t let debt keep you up at night. Don’t worry - be happy.
*Those who know me well will know this list is not my actual advice because I never carry a purse. In fact, I do not even own a purse.
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May 30th, 2008 at 7:20 am
I love this! Especially #6 *eyeroll*
I was sooooo gonna call you on that purse thing if you didn’t add your disclaimer
May 30th, 2008 at 8:39 am
11. Make sure to keep up with the Joneses (who are broke too!).
May 30th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Man.
This has truly opened my eyes.
Here is my action plan
1) BUY A PURSE!
2) Find a card that matches
3) FILL IT UP!
4) Find another card that matches
5) RINSE and REPEAT!
May 30th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I love filling up credit cards!
May 30th, 2008 at 10:07 am
LOL. It’s refreshing to see a funny personal finance post. Good job. I wish I’d thought of it.
May 30th, 2008 at 11:51 am
When a store says no interest for x years go right out and buy what you can! No interest is good, right?
Great list!
May 30th, 2008 at 11:59 am
What about using credit cards to buy things such as meals out, groceries and Starbucks, and not paying it off in full at the end of the month.
There’s nothing like paying for food for 5 years after you ate it to make it a memorable occasion!
May 30th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Great list! I have never done any of these. . .
May 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
LOL. Great post.
@debtdieter - lol on the paying for food for five years.
May 30th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
haha, I feel that these type of messages are so prevalent in the media and for some reason many people buy into this type of thinking. I hate those stupid commercials about customizing your card. What the hell do I care if I have a puppy on a card or not? I agree with charingrosario that it really is keeping up with the Jones
May 30th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Ha ha, thanks for the laugh.
What about the rationale: “But I work so hard, I DESERVE to have a new car/computer/HDTV/gizmo. I shouldn’t HAVE to wait, I want it NOW!”
If you want to stay in debt, have the mindset of a spoiled child (come on, we know we’ve all been there)
May 30th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
LOL!
Here’s one I’ve been guilty of: Make a five-year pledge to your favorite charity and put it on the card.
Soooo….without th’purse, what do you do with your glasses? You must not have to carry Rx shades/distance glasses/reading glasses or (when the contacts are in) cheapo shades/reading glasses. Ah youth!
May 30th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Certainly all good points, but I definitely agree with #6, and it is a lot of the reason that we are in our current economic mess.
May 30th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
@ Funny - my eyes are so bad I wear glasses 24/7. lol. I can’t take them off. Well, I do to sleep… sometimes… when i remember.
No youth 
I don’t wear sunglasses and I don’t wear contacts. I am odd 
June 1st, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Hmmm, I’m not currently in debt yet, maybe you should do a follow up post and teach me how to get into debt in the first place. These do seem like good ideas to stay in debt though.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:57 am
I wish I was reading blogs like this a few years ago. I wouldnt be in the shit I am now, owing more than $1,200,000 to friends, family and banks. I would know all the right steps, I would get motivated and inspired… Now all I have left is a site called www.savemefromshit.com, which is more an example of what to avoid in life, rather than a cry for help…
September 17th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Hehehe
I like it! its about time someone brought a bit of fun back into Personal finance.