I started doing this a couple years ago and it still feels like a superpower. Every time my credit card is charged I instantly get a text message. It’s amazing how fast it works. When I swipe my card at the grocery store I almost instantly feel my phone buzz. When I give my card to a server at a restaurant I know exactly how long they wait to swipe it when they go in the back.
I like this because it gives instant and total transparency into your spending. Especially stuff that isn’t happening with your card present. Like how my gym charges me at 3am, or how Amazon breaks up charges from a single order, sometimes across many days.
If you think it may be annoying, I don’t find it to be. I only use my card about once a day on average. That’s not that many texts. I mean, when all my friends text me the same day I get TWICE that many. (I have two friends).
I can’t tell you exactly where this option is on your credit card website, but I’m pretty sure most credit cards offer it. You might have to do some googling.
This isn’t going to change your life, but maybe you’ll catch a subscription you meant to cancel, or maybe you’ll have some more visibility into your spending. I even like having a little history in my text messages of my recent purchases in case I need to know an amount or update my budget. THE FUN IS ENDLESS.
As always, reminding you to build wealth by following the two PFC rules: 1.) Live below your means and 2.) Invest early and often.
– Jeremy
via Instagram
