Credit cards are a great evil which plagues this country. They serve to enslave the average man, while making the rich richer. In an era of instant gratification and excessive consumption, misuse of credit cards can be a problem for those with bipolar disorder, due to lower impulse control.
So what should you do to prevent you or your loved one from destroying their financial future? Here are some ways to deal with credit cards if you are bipolar.
Stop Using Credit Cards
There really is no point in using credit cards, except to have a small one on hand with maybe a $500 limit, in case something goes wrong and you are out of cash or need a little something to get you buy. Debit cards function very much like credit cards, except the amount is drawn directly out of your bank account, so there is no risk of going into debt.
Tear up Applications
If you receive what looks to be like a credit card offer in the mail, rip it in half and throw it in the trash. Don’t even risk being tempted by the latest credit card offer with their promises of easy money.
Monitor Your Loved One
If a loved one has bipolar disorder, it is a good idea to monitor their Internet use to some extent, in order to monitor credit card transactions or applications for new cards. You should have already received consent for this before doing so.
Report Them Stolen
If your bipolar spouse is going on a spending spree, it may be necessary to report your credit cards stolen. In a way they have been stolen by the manic state of the person you love.
Spending Limits and Holds
If both you and a bipolar spouse hold credit cards jointly, it is a smart idea to make sure that the credit card company will allow you to place a temporary hold on the use of a card, or to place spending limits, when you suspect that your spouse is becoming manic.
Having credit cards in addition to bipolar disorder is like playing Russian roulette with a loaded gun. As previously stated, pay off your credit cards, cancel them, and cut them in half. This is the only way for most manic depressives to make sure that a wild weekend doesn’t destroy their finances for years to come.