Making Good Credit Card Purchase Decisions

Divine Inspirations
Alexandria
744-2557

I DO Bridal & Tuxedo
Alton
875-4848

Wooden Soldier Ltd
Bartlett
356-5643

Modern Bride & Formal Shop
Rte. 101
Bedford
472-4933

Betty Dee Fashions
Berlin
752-5141

Sherry's Veils
Bow
493-2775

Heidi's Bridal Boutique
Claremont
542-3345

Linda's Country Lane Bridal
Claremont
543-0882

A Day to Remember Bridal
Boutique
1 North Main St.
Concord
228.8031

Cassie’s Bridal
41 North Main Street
Concord
227-0561

The Perfect Dress For You
Concord
856-8829

Two Hearts Bridal Boutique
Dover
743-1433

Custom Bridal Veils
Exeter
778-6440

Townsend's Bridal & Formal
Center
Exeter
778-0280

William Fitz Bridal
Fitzwilliam
585-9555

Bridals by Giuseppe
Freedom
236-4543

Maria Antonieta Couture
Bridal
Gorham
839-5440

Country Bridals and Formal
Wear
17 Main Street
Jaffrey
532-7641

Making Good Credit Card Purchase Decisions
by Helen Dutton

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Q: My credit card bills are arriving from the holiday splurge. It all seemed like a good idea at the time of purchase,
but now I’m wondering what on earth I spent my money on! What’s going on?

A: Ah…the January credit card bill blues! I’m wondering if you have similar thoughts every month when you get your
credit card statement; chances are, there are many months when you look at your list of purchases and wonder
“what on earth did I buy?” The answer of your discontent lies in your values.

Personal values are those attributes that we hold most near and dear to our hearts. They may include qualities like
integrity and honesty, but they will often include elements such as nature, excitement, knowledge, and family. Look
on-line for a comprehensive list of values – 100 or more – or you can contact me and I will send you a list. Take a
first pass through the list and choose no more than 10. Let that sit for a bit. Now go through the list and narrow the
list to 3 or 4. If you are having trouble narrowing it down (and most of us do ), ask yourself what would be the last
thing you would give up if you had to?

These true values are what we will continuously strive to achieve in our lives and will feel discontent until we do.
When our values are not adequately expressed in our lives, it feels as though something is missing. The same is
true with our purchases: if our purchases are not in line with our true values they will not satisfy us. Let me give you
a couple of examples: years ago, when I was in the corporate world, I would walk to a local garden center and pick
a bouquet of flowers for my desk. There were many times when I had to choose between having lunch or buying
flowers for my desk; I always chose flowers. So guess what one of my values is? Beauty. Those flowers filled me up
and kept me going through some tough days. I know of a woman who will spend her last dime, and every minute
that she can, travelling to new and interesting places. If she doesn’t experience a novel geography or culture at
least once a year, she feels out of sorts. One of her values is adventure.

Now let’s look at what you spend money on (and the same goes for your time). Think back to the last seven times
you went shopping. For each experience, write down what you bought, where you had been prior to shopping, and
what you were feeling. Now ask yourself, “What was I really looking for? What would have felt like a true gift to
myself? What would have caused my entire being to say ‘Ahhh…’? ”When was the last time your values had been
expressed?

I knew a woman who spent a fair amount of money on personal care – manicures, facials, and pedicures. Come to
find out, those purchases were what she believes she was “supposed” to do to give to herself. When we did the
values exercise, she learned that a better gift would have been a cup of tea, a good book, and some quiet.

Increase the value in your life, and your financial worth. Spend in line with your true personal values. Chances are,
the value you place on your SELF will increase as well.