Lisa Laird, 667 words
Lisa's Lair
By Lisa Laird
IPS Features
Crazy For Credit Cards
Ever wonder who invented the very first credit
card? It should have been a
psychologist or psychiatrist, since both earn livings studying human behavior.
As consumers, we are greedy and in need of immediate gratification.
Credit cards are often the drugs that supply our habits and keep us
satiated. Our irresponsibility is
what gets us into trouble.
When used wisely, credit cards are quite convenient.
They allow us to purchase unexpected items that we may not have brought
sufficient cash for. The finances are in the bank to cover the charges, just not
on us at the moment. Therefore, the
credit card makes perfect sense and the bill is promptly paid in full when
received in the mail.
Then, there is the foolish way, sadly, the popular one.
The way people get screwed. Wanting
what they want, the little voices inside whisper in response, or maybe scream,
“YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT.”
“OH, BUT I CAN!!” they reply back to themselves,
with pure desire. Not only is the
need for their purchases rationalized, including the gym memberships that
they’ll never utilize, but also the perceived ability to pay the piper, so to
speak. They know that the funds
aren’t in the bank, YET. However,
once payday comes, they will be. And
then there’s the option of making the minimum payments rather than satisfying
the entire balance. Sure, a
micro-payment sounds enticing, but can you say INTEREST.
And, of course, there are also late fees to consider as a result of poor
planning and carelessness. This can
cost someone three or four times, maybe more, than the original sum.
Credit card companies are aware of this and they bank on it, literally;
that’s how they earn their lucrative profits.
You are expected to make payments, just not the entire balance each
month, and certainly not in a timely fashion.
As we are aware, the longer the payment due is
postponed, the more the damage multiplies itself.
Unfortunately, too many people let the bills get so out of hand, that
they try to avoid the consequences they’ve brought upon themselves.
Next thing they know, they’re dodging calls from collection agencies
left and right. They are the
“America’s Most Wanted” of deadbeats.
Instead of feeling embarrassed and remorseful, those in debt become
defensive and angry, as if the creditors have some nerve harassing them.
So, they owe thirty five thousand dollars, why interrupt
the family dinner?
I knew one couple who buried themselves in credit card
debt due to complete moronic stupidity. Both
husband and wife worked full-time and lived with the wife’s parents.
Still, they managed to rack up bills purchasing all kinds of nonsense,
including CDs and video game programs. When
the father found out how much debt they were in, he lectured them about their
irresponsibility. The mother felt
sorry for them and suggested they go to a movie to make themselves feel better. The father’s furious response was, “THEY OWE TWENTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS AND YOU’RE SENDING THEM TO THE MOVIES!”
What’s a few more dollars for popcorn?
I take my credit cards seriously and use them with
caution. I only make purchases that
I can well afford. Sure, the
impulsive part of me wants more than I have the means for, but that’s when
prioritizing and good decision-making comes into play.
I buy what I need, and once in a while, what I don’t.
But I do it with deliberation and care.
The answer to ending credit card problems is not cutting
them into shreds, in order to remove the temptations they present; that is the
immature way of dealing with the issue. Owning
credit cards is a privilege, not a basic human right.
As adults, we are expected to behave as such by demonstrating common,
practical sense, in terms of our spending habits, just as we should in all other
facets of our lives. Self-control
isn’t always easy, and those displaying this important virtue deserve credit.
The deadbeats don’t.
-30-