See Ya...

That is what we said as we walked out of the bank and paid off our first of four credit cards. We feel lighter today...it seems pieces of plastic with all those numbers attached to them really makes them heavy. And now with one less "anchor card", we feel just a little bit lighter with each step. Paying off debt is an amazing feeling and it makes you want to pay off even more. And more importantly, never get into it again. We are more determined than ever to pay down the next one even if the issuer doesn't really want us to.  

One thing about our family is that we try to buy local and keep our money local when we can. What we have discovered is that something that seems local might not be. The first credit card we paid off is one that Darek has had since his freshman year in college. He got it from his local bank close to his home town. Now this bank is all over the nation and when we walked into a local branch to get our payoff amount on the credit card, we discovered just how much this bank was not "local". We walked up to the teller and said "we would like our payoff amount on our credit card please," and she was unable to do that for us and no one in the bank could either. So we called the customer service number on the bill. Guess what? They couldn't tell us either...not until the current payment was made. Then they could apply the interest and then tell us what was left. Very frustrated, we simply over paid the credit card and they will have to issue us a check for the few dollars or cents we go over! What a pain for all involved! But we do think it will be nice for them to send US a check for once!

You would think that the bank you have the credit card through would be able to tell you what you owe and would be willing to help you pay it down. Well that's what we thought at least. Then we thought is this the norm for all banks...nope...it is not the case. A quick call to Summit to get our payoff amount takes no time at all and (put on your shocked face) they can actually tell you what your balance is! You can talk to someone who knows what is going on. As we have discovered in our 11+ years as Summit members is that if the person you are talking to doesn't know...they will find someone who does! Wow!  Imagine that, real people helping you solve real problems for everyone's benefit. What an amazing concept. We sure do hope it becomes the new norm.

This week we are celebrating...well...of course paying off a credit card!

Comments

[Rachel]

AWESOME you guys!! What a great feeling :)

[dawn]

Good for you! One day at a time!

[Anne Blackburn]

Yea! Great work! :)

[Cassie and Willie]

Congratulations, guys! Keep up the good work.