Ditching Credit Cards: Why We’re Proud to Be “Financial Freaks”

Let’s be real—society has drilled it into us that credit cards are necessary. We’re told they’re the key to building credit, that we need them for emergencies, and that everyone has one (or several). But here’s the thing: you don’t have to play that game.

Not having a credit card is rare these days, and honestly, it used to feel weird admitting that my wife and I don’t have any. I used to be ashamed of it, thinking we were missing out or not “doing money” the right way. But now? We wear it like a badge of honor. We’re financial freaks, and we love it.

Breaking the Debt Cycle

I wasn’t always this way. I had credit cards. I paid them off. Then I ran them up again. Rinse and repeat. It felt like an endless cycle of frustration. No matter how many times I promised myself I would use them “responsibly,” something always seemed to happen—an unexpected expense, an impulse buy, or just the temptation of spending money I didn’t technically have yet.

Credit cards make it so easy to live beyond your means. A quick swipe, and suddenly, you’re borrowing money without feeling the impact right away. The banks love it. They bank on it—literally. They know that most people won’t pay their balance off in full every month, which means they can make a fortune off of interest and fees.

For years, I bought into the idea that credit cards were a tool I needed. That they were just part of being an adult. But after getting out of credit card debt multiple times and then falling right back in, something had to change.

So, we made a bold move—we cut them out completely. No more plastic safety nets. No more easy excuses to justify overspending. And you know what? Life got better.

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Life Without Credit Cards

People always ask, “But how do you survive without a credit card?”

Honestly, it’s not as hard as you might think. We live on what we actually earn. We use debit cards, cash, and smart financial planning to cover our expenses. That’s it. No credit cards, no late fees, no stress about high interest rates creeping up on us.

When we travel, we use a debit card. If an emergency comes up, we rely on our emergency fund. Need to book a hotel or rent a car? Most places accept debit cards with a deposit. And even if they didn’t, we would rather find alternative solutions than go back to the cycle of debt.

Sure, some people swear by credit cards for rewards points or building credit, but let’s be honest—most people don’t pay off their balance in full every month. They end up carrying debt and paying more in interest than they ever get back in rewards. Credit card companies aren’t offering points and cashback out of the kindness of their hearts. They do it because they know they’ll make their money back (and then some) from people who don’t manage their cards perfectly.

For us, the simplicity of living without credit cards is freeing. No debt. No temptations. No financial stress hanging over our heads.

The Myth That You “Need” Credit

One of the biggest arguments people make for keeping credit cards is that you need them to build credit. And sure, having a credit score can be useful in some cases—like getting a mortgage. But let’s break that down for a second.

A credit score is really just a measure of how well you manage debt. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re financially responsible—it just means you’re good at borrowing money and paying it back (often with interest). But what if you could just live without relying on credit in the first place?

Instead of chasing a high credit score, my wife and I focus on something even better: actual financial stability. We have savings. We have a budget. We live on less than we make. That’s real financial security—not an arbitrary number that banks use to decide how much debt they’ll let us take on.

And for the few things in life that do require a credit score? There are alternatives. Manual underwriting for mortgages, for example, looks at your income, assets, and financial history instead of just a credit score. It’s possible to succeed financially without playing the credit game.

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It’s OK to Be Different

If you don’t have a credit card, or you’re thinking about ditching yours, you are not weird. You’re making a choice that goes against the grain, and that’s a good thing. Not relying on credit cards isn’t a weakness—it’s a financial strength.

Society tells us that debt is normal. That carrying a balance on a credit card is just part of life. That overspending is fine as long as you can make the minimum payment. But normal isn’t working. Normal is people drowning in debt, living paycheck to paycheck, and feeling financially trapped.

We decided to be different. And honestly? We don’t regret it for a second.

So, if you’re on the fence about cutting up your credit cards, take it from us—it’s possible, and it’s worth it. You’ll never regret getting out of debt. You’ll never miss the stress of juggling multiple payments or worrying about interest rates skyrocketing.

We don’t need credit cards, and neither do you. Society might call us crazy, but we call it financial freedom. Be a freak. Join us. It’s worth it. Click here to schedule a complimentary introductory call with us!

— Spriggs Financial

Helping You Take Control of Your Money, One Smart Decision at a Time.