Financial advice: Spend like a drunken sailor!

Just got off the phone with the bank regarding my credit card, which was bounced when I tried to pay for an online transaction.

I'm in credit and up-to-date with all my payments, so I wondered at this.

Turns out a "cardwatch" was put on my card because my recent transactions have all been for small amounts, and apparently that's how thieves operate: they try a few small purchases first, then go for the big one if those go through.

So Auntie Underthewillows' advice for you all today is: if you're going to charge something on your credit card, buy the most expensive item you can think of, otherwise you will look dishonest.

(Inculcating prudence seems to be a lost art, does it not?)

And they wonder why Ireland had a problem with over-spending beyond one's means...