About 42% of adults carry credit card debt from month to month—and the holiday season makes it even easier to fall into that trap. In this episode of The Financially Confident Christian, Ralph Estep Jr. dives deep into how “holiday rewards” and 0% financing offers can lead to long-term debt that steals your peace.
Ralph shares real numbers and a powerful client story: someone who made $400 in cash back but ended up paying $1,000 in interest. He exposes how credit card companies profit from our lack of discipline, why rewards are never truly “free,” and how debt can quietly become a heavy burden.
Drawing from Proverbs 22:7 — “The borrower is slave to the lender” — Ralph offers practical, faith-driven steps to protect yourself from holiday credit card traps: setting limits, tracking spending, paying early, and embracing cash or debit for better control. If you’ve ever said, “I’ll just use my credit card for convenience,” this episode is for you.
Read today's blog article:
https://www.financiallyconfidentchristian.com/blog/holiday-credit-card-traps/
https://financiallyconfidentchristian.com/holiday-credit-cards
Podcast Timestamps:
00:00 Stats: 42% Carry Debt & 0% Financing Temptations
00:42 Listener Question: “Why Am I Still Paying for Christmas in Spring?”
05:00 Debt Steals Your Peace
05:28 Awareness and Tracking Holiday Spending
06:05 Debit Cards, Cash, and Envelope Method
06:45 Create a 60-Day Payoff Plan
08:00 Prayer for Financial Wisdom and Discipline
08:35 Action Step: Make One Holiday Purchase with Cash or Debit
09:10 Closing Encouragement: Choose Freedom Over Fear
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The Ask Ralph Media Podcast has been honored as the Best Christian Finance Podcast in the U.S. for 2025 by Best of Best Review. This prestigious award recognizes the show’s unwavering commitment to blending biblical wisdom with practical financial guidance, empowering listeners to make wise money decisions rooted in faith. Through its concise, impactful 10–12 minute episodes, the Ask Ralph Podcast has inspired and equipped audiences nationwide, standing out among countless voices in the finance and faith space.
https://bestofbestreview.com/awards/ask-ralph-media-inc-best-christian-finance-podcast-in-the-u-s-of-2025
