Credit Card Blog

The Barbie doll has been around forever it seems- and while she’s evolved over the years and updated her fashion with all of the latest trends- she’s become a Doctor, an Astronaut, a Lawyer, a Vet… owns a hot pink porsche and of course- the dream house- no one really stopped to think how Barbie paid for all her wonderful clothes and toys! That is, until now. The Cool Shoppin’ Barbie now comes with a must-have accessory- the purse, containing her very own credit card, complete with the MasterCard logo.

What’s Barbie going to buy with her credit card? Anything her little heart desires of course, since Mattel and MasterCard probably haven’t figured out how to mail Barbie a statement demanding payment each month! In order to give Barbie a place to shop, you can of course purchase the Barbie Boutique- complete with a cash register that opens and plays a “Credit Approved!” recording.

Remember the classic Monopoly game from Parker Brothers? Counting out bills and getting all nervous when you only had the small bills left and you still had to make it around past your opponents hotel properties before you’d make any money! Well, those days are just about over. Monopoly is issuing all new versions of the famous board game, and this time- there will be none of the multi-colored play money. Instead, players each receive a plastic Visa card, and the game includes a “credit card reader” to help you get your paycheck direct deposited and to make payments when you land on someone else’s property or want to purchase your own.

When you go out with friends, do you always end up in an argument over who pays the bill? Or do you spend almost half an hour trying to divide who owes what for what? By playing Credit Card Roulette, you don’t have to worry about these burdensome situations. Imagine leaving the decision to chance?

Credit Card Roulette is a game where each diner in a party puts their credit card into a hat, bowl or other container, and at the end of the meal, the waiter or waitress selects a card. The owner of the card is certainly safe, but then the hat/bowl/whatever gets passed around the table, each guest removing a card until the last card is left – the (un) lucky cardholder gets to foot the bill for the whole table.

The stakes are high for everyone at the table (who may get nervous when others order steaks). A meal consisting of drinks, entrees, dessert, appetizers and a tip could max out a credit card, or even exceed a cardholder’s available limit.

A variation of the game, where a card is drawn after each course of the meal, adds fuel to the fire as those relieved of the risk of paying for all may be tempted to go for the premium wine or the “richest” desserts.

There are more variations where the diners are unaware that the game will be played at the end, and where those that are unwilling to take the risk pay their own bill plus a penalty fee. Of course, the more people that are eating, the lower your chances of “winning.” This game amongst a party of three is a lot less daunting of a bill, but a much higher chance of getting caught.

Another type of credit card roulette refers to transferring credit card balances from higher APR cards to lower APR, and is far less risky!

We all know you should destroy your old credit cards that are no longer being used. Scissors and shredders get the job done, but how much fun is that? Almost some! There’s got to be more entertaining ways to destroy your card, so I’ve searched YouTube to bring you the top 5 ways to dispose of your credit cards. Kids, don’t try this at home.

5. Microwave it
This may not be the most effective means but still a fun method of destroying your credit card. I really expected it to spark and crack rather than melt.

4. Blow it up
Amateurs and explosives just don’t go together, however they do make for some great comedy.
3. Blend it
I don’t think anyone will be getting those card numbers.
2. Mow it
It’s hard to tell from the shaky footage, but I think we all know how this turns out.
1. Shoot it
Just fast forward trough the first five minutes and enjoy the carnage.
I was rather disapointed with what I didn’t find, so I also present my top 5 list of ways of disposing of a credit card I’d like to see.

5. Burn it with a laser.
4. Disolve it in acid.
3. Shred it with an angle grinder
2. Place it on the train tracks like a penny.
1. Cryogenically freeze it and bash it with a hammer.