No Tears At Public Funeral For Credit Cards

Hervey Bay's OWN Observer
Adeliade based anti credit card campaigner Adam Goulding (a.k.a Mr Home Budget) will be urging Australians to get rid of their cards for good when he hosts a public funeral service in South Australia on Friday, October 8.

Attendees at the funeral service will line up to shred their credit cards into a coffin, which will later be carried by pallbearers down the aisle so the contained plastic remains can be laid to rest in peace.

"This service is aimed at spurring ordinary Australians, many of whom are deep in debt, to get rid of their credit cards so they can finally take active steps to pay off their debts," says Adam, who achieved national prominence last year with the launch of his book "How to cut your debt to zero in five simple steps, the keep it simple stupid home budget".

"We are inviting people to turn over a new leaf in their life and get rid of their credit cards for good. I'm expecting a large turn out of people who are ready to get rid of their cards, but anyone is welcome to attend the service and cut up their cards as well."

Adam says that credit cards are an unnecessary evil, and if more people were educated about them he believes they would become socially unacceptable over time.

Adam believes credit cards are the financial equivalent to cigarettes. However, instead of being bad for your health they are bad for your bank balance. "Australians hold more than $48 billion of credit card debt, which equates to around $3551 for every person. Most credit  cards carry a 20 per cent annum interest rate. So how can an average family get ahead when they're paying 20 per cent intrest?"

Adam says he is using the funeral service to start a credit card debt revolt. "We don't have to live with these plastic things in our purses or wallets. We can move forward and use a debit card, which gives the same advantages as a credit card but using your own money, or go back to a savings card." For more information: go to www.MrHomeBudget.com.au