Debt - Are There Rewards for The Taking?

Got a credit card offer in the mail yesterday with the following at the top of the letter:

"You're invited to enjoy the rewards of a [insert card name] Platinum Card."

Wow, how special is that! I'm "invited to enjoy the rewards" for going into debt! Keep in mind, this is a real credit card offer I'm looking at while typing this. They made the word "invited" orange, not me.

Here's what the offer says:

This card is "for those who have achieved a certain level of financial success [and] demand exceptional rewards..."

While I certainly do demand exceptional rewards, I do so while financially free, not at the cost of going into debt! Further, if I'd genuinely achieved a "certain level of financial success," whatever that is, what in the world do I need this credit card for?

"Because you've earned our highest Pre-Approved status, your eligible for...benefits not always available to others..."

Yep, me and the 10 million other people that got this advertisement. I haven't "earned" a single thing, except the opportunity from this company to go into debt.

"Only [this] Card offers the Get More program...."

In this creditor's board room: "Hey, here's an idea, let's set up a program that sounds like a benefit but is really used to drive more purchases so that customers go into debt faster and deeper than with other cards, making us even MORE money in the process!"

The word "cash" and "cashback" is used so many times in this advertisement that you might begin to wonder if this credit card is just a cash machine. It's sickening.

Look at all the "benefits" you get with a credit card and ask yourself, "am I willing to take a 5% coupon for going into debt and taking on all the stress and frustration associated with it?"

Listen, the only thing you are being "invited" to in credit card offers like this one is the opportunity to rob yourself of financial freedom - to rob yourself of your hard-earned cash.

Shred these offers and keep your money. Who gives a rip about "travel benefits," "store discounts," and "150 different card designs." This stuff is meaningless if you are living a life debt-free and paying yourself instead of the credit card company.

Reward yourself by paying you instead of them. Get out of debt, stay that way and the rewards you get from THAT, will be FAR GREATER than the little trinkets associated with a silly credit card.

Don't take my word for it, just ask anyone who is debt free.