by Tricia
My relationship with credit cards started when I was a freshman in college and I completed an application in return for a candy bar. Not too long after getting that shiny credit card in the mail, I used it.
I don’t remember what that first charge was, but with a little digging I was able to find a copy of my very first credit card bill. In all, during that first month I charged $125 and my card had a $500 limit.
So what was that very first charge? Did I go bonkers and treat my friends to Pizza Hut? Did I go on a clothes shopping spree?
I…paid…a…bill! My telephone bill at the dorm!
I thought for sure my first purchase would have been something very irresponsible for an 18 year-old with a new credit card. I have to admit – I am very surprised.
But wait – eight days later, the shopping spree began. The next two charges were to a local card shop. I know exactly what those charges were for…Magic the Gathering cards. I spent quite a bit of money on those cards and so did the people I played the game with.
The next charge was for a little over $30.00 and was made at K-Mart. I probably bought some clothes. Another charge for my telephone bill and a charge to the campus bookstore for some supplies rounded out the rest of my very first credit card bill.
I plan on digging up more old statements and taking more trips down debt memory lane. As I come across interesting tidbits, I’ll share them here. I think Cleverdude is right about writing your autobiography through spending.
In a way, I’m a little nervous to look through the old statements. I often think that you need to let go of your past mistakes and move forward. But I have a strong urge to dig into our past spending. I almost wonder if it is because we are getting closer to paying off our debt and I want to make sure that history doesn’t repeat itself once our cards are paid off.
