Dating has its pitfalls, but it can also be marvelous, surprising, confidence boosting, and a way to meet new people and experience new things.
Choosing and using credit cards can be much like dating.
Applying
You’ve searched the Internet trying to find the right “one” for you. You’ve read all the offers online, you’ve made a list of everyone you’ve met, and now you have to discard the ones you don’t need.
Red Flags
The Seeker shows up with a bang, resorting to all sorts of strategies to get your attention and woos you with fabulous offers. But it’s too good to be true – you discover the bad traits and habits, and suddenly what seemed awesome is just a puddle of water, not the end of the rainbow.
If it’s a credit card we’re talking about, what’s buried in the fine print could leave you paying a high interest rate if you miss a payment. Or, you could spend yourself out of a fortune trying to collect reward points.
Likewise, if you’ve been burned in the past, you could be locked into The Pattern – a bad relationship with a credit card that you repeat over and over. Maybe you’re doing this subconsciously, but you should get some professional counseling – or you’ll be doomed to repeat The Pattern forever!
Blind Dates
We’ve all had them – Blind Date Disasters. You wish you’d asked more questions, or, if it’s a credit card, you wish you’d read the fine print about all those fees.
Or, perhaps you both just have Conflicting Interests:
You have a great cash back card, but you wanted more air miles. When you don’t agree on things, chances are neither of you will change and there’s no use trying to force the relationship. Don’t waste your time on what isn’t a good plan for you.
The King or Queen of Perfection
You’ve met the perfect catch. They look really good on the surface and come well-recommended. You’ve read the fine print – except there’s the large annual fee for a rewards card you’re not really using, and the interest rate is a lot higher than you’re comfortable with.
You may have the “best” card, but is it just shiny on the outside, with no real feelings on the inside?
Does the Princess care too much about how she looks?
Does Prince Charming get alarmed at small changes, as if he’s hiding some insecurity? You might want to come back down to earth, ditch this card and strike up a new relationship.
And finally – you find The Friend:
You have common ground and you complement each other. You are passionate about the same things. This may Mr. or Miss Right, and now you can finally focus on the good things that are happening in your financial world!
