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Taking my moms advice…….
11 February 2024 | by
Once moved out from home and on my own, I always remembered what my mom told me regarding credit cards. She said it was always good to have one as a just in case emergency BUT put it in a zip lock bag, fill it with water and put it in the freezer. This way if you are tempted to use the card you have to wait for it to thaw out and by then you may feel what you really "needed" was not a need but a want.
The bottom line to that way of thinking is sometimes you have to take time to think about what you're going to purchase. Recently I did not use the frozen credit card theory but I am glad I took time to think. I had an email notice come to me informing me that my RSGB membership was coming to an end. The renewal was 70 British pounds which converted to about 120.00 Canadian dollars. ( I was just adding an RSGB link and noticed the fee was not 73.00 pounds which is 124.00 Canadian...NOT) That seemed very steep for me considering the main reason for my membership is the read Radcom magazine. The bottom line for me was that it was way too pricey so I was considering another radio magazine.
I was looking at CQ magazine as in the past I did have a subscription from them but even then (about 8 years ago) the subscription missed issues and other times issues were late. I decided to wait it out and let the RSGB membership expire and then think about the next move. Kinda like letting the credit card thaw on the counter before I jumped.
Well CQ magazine does not seem to be doing well and online chatter has not been glowing. I just recently checked and their website is no longer loading. There was a statement from CQ saying they have "temporarily " suspended the magazine. In my humble opinion that is never a good sign. I have also read recently of those who just purchased a 1 or more year subscription and so far have received nothing. As a sideline, I feel CQ magazine should refund those who just purchased a subscription but we shall see.
Well, I am glad that I let the credit card thaw on the counter before I jumped and made a subscription purchase to CQ magazine. To be upfront I will not be taking my chances on this company until it can show stability for at least 2024 without issue. Until then I will have saved some money and I can throw the credit card back in the freezer.
8 Responses to “Taking my moms advice…….”
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Your Mom is right! I often go up to the office after dinner and couple of glasses of wine and I have learned that wine makes me very stupid. Now I wait till morning.
RSGB for seventy quid is silly. Glad you are thinking twice. I had a sub from The Economist as a birthday present from my daughter. This then ran on for several more birthdays, until I found out what she was paying. I felt bad and told her ‘no more’.
Do we need, or do we just want? He who hesitates is NOT lost!
Good luck with CQ!
HAD ZERO CREDIT CARDS FOR FIFTY PLUS YEARS. HAD “MASTERCARD” AND “VISA”. ABOUT THREE YEARS AFTER GETTING MARRIED, IN 1969.THE BALANCE WAS GETTING OUT OF HAND, SO WE STARTED PAYING THEM OFF.
WE DO HAVE A DEBIT CARD, BUT PAY ALL BILLS WITH CHECK OR CASH. (WONT BE LONG BEFORE THAT IS GONE). NICE NOT TO PAY FOR PAYING. ‘73 KF9F RICH
P.S. TAKE MOMS ADVICE.
Good morning Chris nice to hear from you and thanks for taking time to read the post. Very good advice and as you say slow and easy wins the race.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Good morning Rich and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Yes up this way Checks are long gone and very few places still accept them. As for credit cards they are a device the banks make a lot of money on.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
I wished my mom had shared such sage advice when I was younger. Being a former impulse buyer put me into some troublesome financial woes back in the day.
Especially when starting a new hobby, say Amateur Radio. It was too easy to see some new equipment that you wanted instead of needed and throw the credit card at it. In this day and age, things can get out of hand quickly.
Ah, the things we learn.
I also enjoy Radcom. But since their news items don’t effect me much here in the US, I just buy their yearly collection on CD each year. The technical articles are timeless. This way is much cheaper.
Good morning Patrick, yes as they say hindsight is 20/20 and I know for sure most if not all of us if we looked back some things would had been done differently.
Thanks for taking the time to read the post and leaving a comment.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Elwood it is always good to hear from you, I had never thought of that and for sure I will be looking into that!
73,
Mike
VE9KK