What is a common strategy to avoid using credit cards?

• A. Leave credit cards at home when going shopping.
• B. Use them for every purchase.
• C. Sign up for more cards to get rewards.
• D. Carry unlimited cash to escalate spending.

Answer: (A)

Minimizing temptation is the idea here: leaving credit cards at home when you go shopping helps you resist using them and keeps your spending aligned with your plan. When the option to pay with credit isn’t available, you’re more likely to rely on cash or your debit card, which makes it easier to see exactly how much you’re spending and stay within your budget. This simple habit reduces the risk of impulse buys, interest charges, and accumulating debt, especially when you’re aiming to control spending or grow savings.

If you’re trying to put this into practice, prepare in advance: decide what you’ll spend, bring only that amount of cash or a debit card, and leave your credit cards at home or in a safe place. That way, you practice deliberate spending rather than charging purchases you hadn’t planned.

The other approaches don’t fit the goal as well. Using cards for every purchase tends to increase debt and interest costs. Signing up for more cards to chase rewards can encourage more spending and lead to higher debt if not managed tightly. Carrying unlimited cash isn’t a practical strategy and doesn’t address the habit of overspending or reliance on credit for everyday purchases.