Comments on: Don’t Be Stupid

By: Amber (jerseymomma)

Amber (jerseymomma) — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:56:58 +0000

I’m not sure what her situation is, so it’s hard to make a call on this one.

I do understand the need for rental car companies, hotels, etc. to want collateral or to be guaranteed payment- but I think its wrong to punish someone that wants to pay in cash.

And although she should have a debit card in her own name, I tried to rent a car in Ohio last month and was told debit cards are not accepted- credit only.

I wouldn’t contact her though. If she hadn’t gotten the wake-up call before now that she needed to take control of her finances, im sure the inconvenience of being denied a car and having to drive back home did the trick!

By: jcruz on Twitter

jcruz on Twitter — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:46:08 +0000

Who am I to judge or say what is right and wrong for this lady? If this is what makes their relationship a loving and lasting one so be it. All because it doesn’t work for you, doesn’t make it wrong. Different strokes for different folks.

By: Shannon Davis - Beyondmotherhood

Shannon Davis - Beyondmotherhood — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:12:04 +0000

I agree with your frustrations, and would be curious to hear her side of the story. The true reason why they are a “one credit card” family. Does she have bad credit? Is her husband controlling? Is she living with her head in the sand…not wanting to educate herself or her child about money?

It’s situations like this that confirm the need to add basic personal economics to the required course list in high schools. So many students (men and women) head to college with little or no knowledge of how to manage their personal finances…and end up getting deep into credit card debt. Then they carry that debt into marriage and parenthood.

By: Gregg

Gregg — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:16:04 +0000

I’m on the side that you may be reading too much into this one. Many people have problems with credit cards and over-spending. While someone in the family at least needs to have credit for emergencies, if they are doing credit counseling, many will not let them have credit cards!

Also, perhaps the woman understands a spending weakness and therefore doesn’t carry a card on purpose. I’m surprised the car rental place doesn’t take cards over the phone, but I haven’t used one in a while and can’t remember if they needed to see my credit card again to pick up an online reservation, or not. I didn’t think they did. Drivers license, yes.

Also, she shouldn’t have needed a credit card at all if the dealer was paying! That’s crazy. When our new car developed a problem, the dealer drove us to the rental place and the car was on their account. We didn’t use a card, either.

By: What’s this Twitter Taste Live stuff? - A Good Time With Wine

What’s this Twitter Taste Live stuff? - A Good Time With Wine — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:59:54 +0000

[...] sensitive to that, which is why my other blog, Babbling About Nothing, has a great post about Stay At Home Moms, or finances in a relationship in general. I try to offer something for everyone. I’m the Baskin-Robbins of blogging, 31 flavors to [...]

By: Singlegal

Singlegal — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:09:13 +0000

there’s absolutely no reason why a second credit card couldn’t be issued in her name. I sense a control issue there …

By: Astacia

Astacia — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:45:34 +0000

It is hard not to have strong feelings in this post-modern, post-feminist society. It makes me sad to see women who allow themselves to be in that situation. Then I have to remember a few thing:

1) It’s easy to blame things on your spouse when he or she is not there.

2) She may be bad with money and have a lack of self-control when it comes to credit cards. This is why I don’t carry one.

3) There are millions of women who let themselves be ruled by men because of religious reasons or just plain laziness.

Sigh.

By: Anna B.

Anna B. — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:44:14 +0000

I totally agree with you – no one should rely 100% on someone for funds. This is why I will never be a SAHM without a credit or debit card to my name.

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:37:29 +0000

Well none of us know the true situation…but that being said, I would never, ever let anyone ‘control’ my situation. I know that in the event of any unthinkable situation I can take care of myself and my kids. In this day and age you HAVE to be able to do that–SAHM or not. If you are a SAHM, you better have a backup plan..because you just never know what life is going to throw at you. Every one of needs to be able to step up to the plate tomorrow and take over every aspect of our lives if need be. Just my two cents, but in my life those are the only ones that truly count.

By: Mrs. Tantrum

Mrs. Tantrum — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:32:26 +0000

Okay, first off if the dealership is paying for the car the rental company DOES NOT NEED ANY FORM OF CREDIT ANYTHING from the lady, the agreement is between them and the dealership.

Secondly she is INSANE for not having at least a Visa or Master Check card with her name on it.

I am always amazed that there are still situations like this out there…where one of the partners has no clue about finances. (I have friends where the man is the one like that…so this isn’t limited to dumb women.) But then again I seem to be amazed by more and more lately, either I have been living in a very dark corner or the freaks are now coming out during the day and night.