Before I got rid of the debt, something really strange (and not real bright!) used to happen to me. Like if I wanted a new book or two... I'd decide to use the credit card at the bookstore. Great, no problem, right? But THEN I often thought "Ugh, that's only $8, that won't look so great charging such a small amount... I'd better choose MORE books so it doesn't look strange." :-o I'm so glad to have broken away from that credit cycle.