Thank you Claire for your kind comments. I too am pleased with the 15 year history with Capital One.
I gleaned from the responses that the best way to control one's debt is to (1) Pay off your credit card bill each month. (2) Pay yourself by putting the money left over from paying your credit card bills into savings (smart idea Firefly and this really requires discipline lol). (3) To use the reward points to purchase Christmas presents is an EXCELLENT idea! I haven't redeemed any of our points since we obtained the card so watch out Christmas 2006 lol....this will be fun and no charging gifts or spending extra cash as the purchases will be paid for in advance! ( Thanks Cheap!!)
I see there are great benefits from being out of debt! My husband says it feels like a 1,000 pound weight is off his shoulders! We laugh more, go out more and enjoy the simple pleasures of life again! I have to agree with Suze Orman when she said your sex life will be even better!
Oprah is spotlighting her show today, 2/17/06, on getting out of debt. Should be interesting.
God bless you all and thanks for sharing your financial life with me.