Random expired bras. Credit: How can I recycle this/Flickr
I skipped a post on what I regretted about my August credit card bill, but I can’t do the same for September. I am annoyed by a $18.17 Target charge because it is proof that I gave into boredom buying.
Part of the purchase – a gift for a friend going through a rough period – I don’t regret. What aggravates me is the $12.99 I spent on a beige bra.
I avoid bra shopping as long as possible. But when I found myself with hours to kill after a friend’s plane was delayed, I headed to Target. Not my first choice; I had already eaten dinner, the movie theater was in a dead hour, and if I played another game of Fruit Ninja on my iPricey iPhone, it would leave me directionless to get back to the airport. Target it was. (more…)
Logan Antill/Flickr
I’ve been fairly responsible lately with my credit card, perhaps owing to my monthly-long credit card ban in April. But last month I slipped up and forgot to pay my bill on time. I paid three days late, incurring a $12.15 interest charge. Blast!
Normally, I would call my credit card company and politely ask that they remove the charge, seeing how I am a loyal customer who pays in full. But I didn’t because I truly forgot to pay my bill.
Instead of automatically paying each month, I get two reminders to review my bill online, then pay via bank transfer. My first reminder comes about three weeks before the due date and I usually ignore it because the due date is sooo far away.
The second reminder is a note that pops up in my online Google calender about five days before the bill is paid. When I get this I log in, review the charges, and set a transfer from my bank to pay in full two days before it is due. If anything is amiss, I can contest without paying.
Last month, however, my second reminder popped up on a weekend, when I rarely check my online calender. My credit card due date sailed by before I remembered. I hate to pay the $12.15, but think it is fair. I’m more worried about how a late payment will affect my credit history so I’m considering putting my credit card on auto-pay. What do you think?
