One year without credit cards

It’s now been over one full year since I stopped using credit cards. 

I LOVE it.

This surprises me. I thought I’d miss my credit cards. 

Yes, I correctly predicted that managing my finances without credit cards would feel simpler and that I’d “worry” less about money without them.

But what I didn’t predict was the euphoria.

An exaggeration? Perhaps. But not by much. 

I LOVE not using credit cards. 

I am having a hard time putting my finger on why. Which is surprising because whatever it is is apparently more valuable than a few hundred bucks cash back.

I guess I’d frame it this way. Opportunity cost.

What do I GIVE UP in exchange for not using credit cards?

• Cash back (the only reward I ever used). A few hundred dollars per year.
• Convenience when traveling abroad (I overcome this by keeping a travel card active in the very rare case I travel somewhere that would otherwise charge foreign transaction fees)

What do I GET in exchange for not using credit cards?

• This feeling of loving how I manage my money

I wasn’t sure how long this experiment would last, but now I’m almost certain I won’t be going back to credit cards any time soon. I can’t think of a single perk they offer that sounds more enticing to me than how I’ve felt about my money this year.