![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryaclark.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/20170714-TIF-SM-Key-Indicators-for-Using-Credit-Responsibly-400x400.png?resize=400%2C400\")
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I recently received some feedback that had this question, why didn’t we know this stuff 10 years ago? \u00a0Wouldn’t that have been helpful? \u00a0So I did some thinking and would like to ask you to do me a favor. \u00a0Pass this information along to someone you know. \u00a0I would like every recipient to pass it on, forward it or share it on your social networks. \u00a0It’s too important to allow those close to you to miss out. \u00a0And for those who will and already do, thank you.<\/p>\n
Be a Responsible Credit Card Holder<\/strong> When it comes to credit cards and managing your money you must be willing to give every dollar a name. \u00a0What does this mean? \u00a0Have a plan for your money. \u00a0You must be intentional about what you plan to do with it and be strict about following the plan. \u00a0If not, it will soon get away from you and out of control. \u00a0You must work your plan.<\/p>\n Ready for a Credit Card Indicators<\/strong> Pamela and I had finally gotten our finances under control. \u00a0So as a method of process improvement, which you should always look for, we decided to start using our credit card for all of our purchasing and payment needs with the exception of our tithes and offerings<\/a>. \u00a0Because I am very meticulous, and you should be too with your money, I make multiple payments a week to clear the balance on our credit card. \u00a0In fact, last year was the 1st time our credit card ever made money for us. \u00a0We were able to purchase one of Tamia’s Christmas gifts using the cash back rewards dollars. \u00a0This wasn’t by accident, it was apart of the plan. \u00a0That’s why planning is so crucial.<\/p>\n \u201cGood planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.<\/a><\/em>\u201d – \u202d\u202dProverbs\u202c \u202d21:5\u202c \u202dNLT\u202c\u202c<\/p>\n <\/p>\nOur team has worked very hard putting it together. We designed it to help you and your family move the needle forward in making your life your business. \nFind out more about the Family plan here.<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/strong><\/p>\n Today is Friday! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Your Credit Advantage – Part 2 Bad, Great, Not Enough, and No Credit – Part 4 Up until now, I’ve painted a pretty good picture of how against credit cards I am. \u00a0But I need to come clean, I’m not totally against credit cards; I’m against undisciplined people having them. \u00a0I’m against people who don’t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1164,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1162","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-accounting","8":"entry"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/20170714-TIF-Blog-Key-Indicators-for-Using-Credit-Responsibly.png?fit=760%2C360&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4jb7V-iK","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1162","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1162"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1170,"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1162\/revisions\/1170"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nIn this post I am going to totally flip the switch. \u00a0I’m going to give you some indicators which will let you know that you are ready for a credit card and can use it for your benefit. \u00a0Think of it this way, you’d never give your 12 year old keys to your car to take it for a ride. \u00a0Why? \u00a0You need an experienced driver, driving your car. \u00a0You want someone who’s been trained and has the knowledge as well as the license to drive. \u00a0In the same way, we should be this restrictive regarding having a credit card. \u00a0I believe that credit cards do more damage than inexperienced drivers. \u00a0With that in mind, remember you should run your life like a business because it is, yours.<\/p>\n
\nWith that said, here are the indicators that suggest you’re ready for a credit card. \u00a0These indicators illustrate whether or not you can handle using a credit card for daily purchases:<\/p>\n\n
\nAt the end of the week or with my current paycheck, you should be able to pay off the balance-the entire balance. \u00a0A credit card is not a loan.
\n\u201cLet no debt remain outstanding…<\/a>\u201d<\/em> – \u202d\u202dRomans\u202c \u202d13:8\u202c \u202dNIV\u202c\u202c<\/li>\n
\nYou’re ready for the card if you have the money for the purchases made using the credit card already in your bank. \u00a0If you don’t have the money, then you need to find other means to obtain the money. \u00a0Borrowing money should be the last resort; it’s better to go without than to borrow.<\/li>\n
\nWhy would anyone want or desire something that wasn’t a benefit, but a detriment? \u00a0If having a credit card harms you, takes from you, or hinders you, get rid of it. \u00a0Tools, such as a credit card, should help your life-your business-run better and bring added benefits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kerryaclark.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Family-Plan-Cover-e1493399146525.png?resize=115%2C149\")
<\/a> is available now!
\nThis is the final installment regarding credit cards. \u00a0If you take heed to the tips in the last couple of posts, then you’re ready to use your credit card responsibly. \u00a0The major takeaway as you know is to have a plan. \u00a0When you have a plan, you know where you’re heading and how you will get there. \u00a0What plans do you have for your credit cards? Leave a comment below or\u00a0click here<\/a>\u00a0to email me.<\/strong><\/p>\n