Plastics of a different kind
Around the world, 1 million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, and up to 5 trillion singleuse plastic bags are used worldwide every year. And worse, nearly half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once — and then thrown away.
But there exists an even bigger problemwith a different kind of plastic exposure, already proven to be hazardous to our wealth. I’m talking about the kind of plastic we carry in our wallets.
Convenience factor
Most people begin their relationship with plastic on what I call terms of convenience. They have enough money in the bank to pay for groceries or gas, but it is just so much more convenient to swipe a card. And the monthly statement offers such a tidy record of transactions. It is so convenient.
Then comes the time when the bank balance is a bit low and the perfect shoes are on sale. Can’t pay the entire balance when the statement comes?
Not to worry! Because of the minimum payment option, you can pay a small amount and buy yourself another 30 days. Such convenience.
Coma factor
Convenience quickly leads to mindless or “coma” spending. There’s no conscious thought of the real cost. Coma spending allows you to think that a $200 purchase is a $20-amonth payment starting next month. But right now you can take your purchase home for no cost.
Take gasoline, for example. If you used your ATM or credit card, you probably don’t have a clue how much you paid per gallon. As long as you have the security of plastic at your disposal, nothing else seems to matter.
Cost factor
The actual cost of plastic dependence when added up over a year’s time is staggering. There are annual fees, late fees and over-limit fees. But the mind-blowing “fee” is the interest cardholders pay for the convenience of buying now and paying later. Though statistics vary greatly. A conservative approach says the average American family with credit cards carries about $16,000 in unsecured debt, on which they pay more than $2,000 in interest each year.
There’s only oneway to discover if you have become inappropriately dependent on plastic: Live without it. Here is my challenge: For the next 30 days, no debitcard purchases. No credit-, store- or gasoline-card purchases. None. Nada. Zilch.
For one entire month, it’s cash only. If you don’t have cash on hand or in your checking account to buy something, don’t buy it. If youmust purchase something by mail, send a check. If you need to rent a car or secure a hotel room, arrange in advance to put up a cash deposit.