"You look very nice today!" I smile every time I hear those words from someone. And why shouldn't I? I do my best everyday to look like I feel --- like a million bucks! Nice outfit - check. MAC makeup - check. Designer shoes and purse - check. That's the "Do I look Good?" checklist that I perform every morning when I look in the mirror before I go to work. But I haven't always felt this good about how I looked or what I was wearing or my designer purse and shoes. You want to know why? Because I bought most of it on credit. What? You can't read 8 pt. font? Okay, I'll make it bigger, "Because I bought most of it on credit." Yes, I've finally admitted it. You don't have to keep it a secret but you don't need to run and tell everybody either.   

My first retail shopping credit card was to Dillard's and you better believe I was a faithful user. I think Dillard's buyers are geniuses. They know exactly what I like and they choose the brands that I love: BCBG, Michael Kors, Antonio Melani, Elie Tahari, and Gianni Bini. For a while, I believed that it was my birthright to have new clothes and new shoes on a regular basis i.e., weekly. Why not? I was always told that you're supposed to look as good as you feel, right? Well, not quite. You will look good and feel better when you know that what you're wearing is paid for, preferably in full at the time of purchase. Cash and carry was the lifestyle philosophy that I had to learn the hard way.   

Before I was too far gone in the land of credit and debt hell, I had a "Dr. Phil" moment. Do you know what I'm talking about? A Dr. Phil moment is when you ask yourself the question, "How's that working for you?" And once you ask yourself that question be prepared because you only have a split second right before a major epiphany causes you to rethink your current reality. The realization is so strong that your brain sends a shock wave throughout your body that causes an immediate jerk reaction and you scream, "(Insert your favorite expletive here!) how could I have been so stupid?!"   

My Dillard's shopping excursions would cost around $2,500 each month. And my Dr. Phil moment came one day when I had given away 4 garbage bags full of clothes and shoes -then the Dillard's bill came in the mail. I think I was at the point in my life where I was getting tired of bills and the never ending cycle of "I have to make a payment on my credit card." Here's why.

Let's suppose you made $2,500 in purchases and put it all on your credit card. Even if your card had a zero "0" balance when you started, do you know how long it will take for you to actually "own" your purchases?

I realized at that moment that the clothes I just gave away were still being paid for because I was only making the minimum payment due on my credit card. Did you realize that the clothes you put on your card and that you're wearing today are still being paid for? How do you feel about that? Does that make sense to you? It doesn't to me and I didn't realize I was making such a huge mistake with my money until I had a Dr. Phil moment and once I saw how I was wasting money, I stopped. I haven't used a credit card since 1995 and I have adopted a Cash and Carry Philosophy for my life.

Now when I go through my closet and make room for my new purchases, I can breathe easier knowing that whatever pieces of clothing I trash or whatever outfits and shoes I donate, I can do so with a clear conscience. I'm an advocate for making purchases using cash only and I think that philosophy will benefit anyone. Here's another little secret for all the single ladies like me: When you become more responsible with your money it increases your chances of attracting single men in your life who are higher income earners, responsible with their money, have investment accounts, and don't mind spoiling you with "goodies" every now and then. But I'll write about that later.

Cali Pearl specializes in the needs of the women's market, specifically coordinating their relationship with money in terms of family, security and investments.  

Whether your financial goals are being met or what your plan of action should be if they're falling short, Cali Pearl can assist you on your financial journey. As a Cali Pearl client, you should experience freedom from stress and anxiety knowing that someone is working in your best interest.