Don't be fooled. They're controlling you. They want you to spend your money at their place of business. After all, if you don't spend it ... they won't get it.

Some people really do deserve a break. Even these people need to ask themselves, 'Do I deserve THIS break?' and 'Is there a better break I could take?' To answer these questions, imagine you were asking your bank accounts. Would your bank accounts say go ahead and spend $4.50 for 1 cup of coffee? Or would your bank account screem at you 'ARE YOU NUTS ?!!'

What would your credit card say? 'Oh sure. Go ahead and charge me up. That's what I'm for. Besides, at your current rate of payment, you'll have that coffee paid for ... in 17 years!'

If your bank accounts and credit cards are talking like that; chances are that you've already taken too many breaks, and it's time to go back to work! Not take another break.

If you can't pay for consumable goods (like food and gas) with cash or debit card, then you've used more than your share of break time, and it's way past time for you to get to work.

Even if you have the cash, the question still remains of 'SHOULD YOU'. Are your finances tight? If so, have you done something unusual that REQUIRES a reward? Although your finances are tight, are you now .. not as tight as before? Have you reached a milestone of paying off a debt?

Paying off a debt is great and generally requires some type of reward. Just don't reward yourself too much. If you still have other debts, remember that each dollar spent on a reward could have gone to reducing your other debts. If you celebrate, consider how much longer it will take you to pay off the next loan. Is 1 day of celebration worth having to wait a whole extra month to pay off the next debt? A good celebration would be to buy a $4.50 coffee for yourself and your closest friend (or two) and quietly discuss your victory. Their moral support will help you continue improving your finances. Don't let them convice you to go on a shopping spree! Your celebration is the coffee and conversation time, not shopping!

Do you deserve a better life than you have now? Sure. But borrowing more isn't going to get you there. The ONLY time you should borrow (your home excluded) is for an INCOME producing asset. That's an asset that produces more income than it's expenses. Notice that cars are not included. Correct! Don't borrow for a car. And certainly not for clothes, food, gas, or entertainment.

Bottom line ... you know if you really deserve a break or not. Just don't let a company that doesn't know who you are; convice you that your finances can withstand ... their break.