Okay, so maybe my headline is a bit misleading.  A woman was trying to pay for her merchandise at a Best Buy in Daytona Beach with someone else's credit card, so they shot her with a taser.  Nice. 

It would make a good store policy to taser anyone doing their Christmas shopping on credit (c'mon, you know you have!).  Over 70% of Christmas purchases are made on credit, and most of us carry balances on our cards perpetually.  In the western world we have more collective wealth than anyone on Earth and more than any group in human history... yet we are still so compelled to spend that we'll continue to do so far outside our means.

If you are going to shop on credit, here's a little trick that'll help you keep your spending in line.  Before you shop, log in to your online banking and put a payment on your credit card.  That's right: put the payment on your card before you buy.  Before you spend $300 on Amazon.com, plunk $300 down on your Visa first.  You won't pay any interest and you won't carry the balance on your card.  Don't have the $300?  Then don't spend it!

Remember, there's no point in buying something "on sale" for 10% off when you end up paying 18% interest on your MasterCard every month.  If you don't have the money, don't buy it.  Make a gift.  Wish someone a heartfelt "Happy Holidays".  Bake some cinnamon buns.  Make a small donation to your local food bank on someone else's behalf.  Don't taser yourself this holiday season by spending money you simply don't have.

» The Consumerist