I looked quickly at the discussion title and thought it said, "When I Piss" and was expecting a column on STI's
Why are we so intent on euphemisms regarding death? Why do we "pass" instead of die? There are almost as many ways of addressing our demise as our dicks.
I was wondering if someone maxed out a card prepaying funeral expenses by credit card. I know someone who prepaid but the amount was higher than my credit card limit. It was like $16,000. I didn't know funeral arrangements were so expensive. Now my relative has outlived all other relatives by age I heard. I will outlive all males on my father's side if I live past 68 at least for the past 3 generations, maybe longer on my fathers side. My older brother could break the record but some statin drug really wasted him away. He has quack doctors and a wife that would drive others to suicide. Not good.
"I'm guessing some think credit card companies are evil"
Well, maybe not evil, but perhaps guilty of 'questionable ethics'?
Especially prior to the 2008 recession, nearly everyday in the mail Chase, Citi, and Bank of America would send these fake checks in the mail. $15,000, $20,000, even $50,000. I knew they weren't real checks - they were a cash advance on my credit card.
But I'm sure some less than savvy financial folks out there didn't realize what they were and got tricked into cashing them.
I think you said before you worked in banking, so you would understand these tricks. But there are some dumb follks out there that got sucked in I bet.
Motörhead - I agree - those are not appropriate things for credit card companies to do. As you mentioned - those checks are most likely cashed by the folks who are least able to repay the money. Those folks might not understand those funds must repaid.
Very similar to payday loans - they contain huge interest rates - and payments for many many years.
It is predatory in many cases (but legal) - and it's not right to prey on those folks who might be unaware of what is happening.
There are some people out there that have limited financial knowledge.
Many years ago I used to drive a couple of hours to a favorite club. So on Saturday afternoon I used to get in my car and listen to this call in radio show about the stock market and finance.
I was amazed. There would be people that had portfolios of two and three million dollars that had the financial IQ of a third grader. How did they manage to accumulate that much weath?
Granted, some were widows that inherited money from their husbands, but not all of them.
I have absolutely no sympathy for banks of credit card companies.
Is it ethical for them to charge 20-30% on debt when a inyerest rates are at the historical low they are at this time? Or how about all the $35/$40 fees they charge for late pmts or other things?
That's a good point. I think - in the past - before the tech boom (and bust) of the late '90's - early 00's - folks bought stocks and held them - and many did very well in life.
Now the markets are very similar to high stakes casinos.
There is a very simple rule - that everyone should understand - if it seems too good to be true - it is. Money doesn't come for free - and no Nigerian diplomat will pay you to help move his money for him. The checks you received are an example of that too. I called my credit card company to ask that they stop sending me those checks. I was concerned about the chance of someone else cashing them - if my mail ever got stolen.
I agree that t's *greedy* for credit card companies to charge 20% or more and $35 late charges -- but NO ONE has to pay those interest rates or those late charges! Two simple rules:
(1) Don't buy stuff you can't afford ==> no credit card interest
(2) If you must use a credit card, pay the bill on time ==> no late fees
On the other hand, it is unethical to rack up credit card debt with no intention of paying it off.
My mom and dad were pretty old school. They never had a credit card their entire working life. They never got one until retirement. When they started to travel a little, it was virtually Impossible to rent a car or buy airline or cruise tickets without a credi card.
They are almost a necessity. Just use them responsibly.
Do the credit card companies still hand out cards freely to college seniors? Back in my day they did. I never signed up for any cards but I know plenty of class mates that accepted all the cards then couldn't find a good job and racked up huge debt.
Yes, the students are to blame for not using the cards in a responsible manner, but it's also hard to feel sorry for the credit card companies who gave these cards to kids with no job, no credit history, nothing but their degree.
You make good points - as its true about credit card companies basically putting a carrot in front of the nose of college students. I don't know if that still occurs. I remember - they would come to the campus student center with free sandwiches for all the students who signed up for a credit card. That was the epitome of there being no free lunch.
In my family - my parents never had credit cards until they were a requirement (as you mentioned) for travel, etc. I adhered to that practice as well. However, my little sister had some huge credit card debt. Luckily her husband and I worked with her so she paid off the debt - and so she understood the trade off. If you use a credit card - and pay off the balance by the due date each month - it's useful. However, if you can't pay the balance off - then the interest rate must be considered in the cost of the purchase.
Minimum payments make lots of purchases seem reasonable - but the interest - and sometimes the interest on that interest - is huge!
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How do you know when it's time for you to go?
Why are we so intent on euphemisms regarding death? Why do we "pass" instead of die? There are almost as many ways of addressing our demise as our dicks.
Many of us don't want to acknowledge that we are going to die.
"In my time of dying, I want nobody to mourn
All I want for you to do is take my body home
Well, well, well, so I can die easy"
I'm guessing it doesn't matter that much - since life shouldn't be judged more heavily based on good deeds done late in life.
I'm guessing some think credit card companies are evil - but that doesn't justify stealing (even in a Robin Hood sense).
Well, maybe not evil, but perhaps guilty of 'questionable ethics'?
Especially prior to the 2008 recession, nearly everyday in the mail Chase, Citi, and Bank of America would send these fake checks in the mail. $15,000, $20,000, even $50,000. I knew they weren't real checks - they were a cash advance on my credit card.
But I'm sure some less than savvy financial folks out there didn't realize what they were and got tricked into cashing them.
I think you said before you worked in banking, so you would understand these tricks. But there are some dumb follks out there that got sucked in I bet.
Very similar to payday loans - they contain huge interest rates - and payments for many many years.
It is predatory in many cases (but legal) - and it's not right to prey on those folks who might be unaware of what is happening.
Many years ago I used to drive a couple of hours to a favorite club. So on Saturday afternoon I used to get in my car and listen to this call in radio show about the stock market and finance.
I was amazed. There would be people that had portfolios of two and three million dollars that had the financial IQ of a third grader. How did they manage to accumulate that much weath?
Granted, some were widows that inherited money from their husbands, but not all of them.
I have absolutely no sympathy for banks of credit card companies.
Is it ethical for them to charge 20-30% on debt when a inyerest rates are at the historical low they are at this time? Or how about all the $35/$40 fees they charge for late pmts or other things?
I don't feel any empathy for them at all.
Now the markets are very similar to high stakes casinos.
There is a very simple rule - that everyone should understand - if it seems too good to be true - it is. Money doesn't come for free - and no Nigerian diplomat will pay you to help move his money for him. The checks you received are an example of that too. I called my credit card company to ask that they stop sending me those checks. I was concerned about the chance of someone else cashing them - if my mail ever got stolen.
(1) Don't buy stuff you can't afford ==> no credit card interest
(2) If you must use a credit card, pay the bill on time ==> no late fees
On the other hand, it is unethical to rack up credit card debt with no intention of paying it off.
They are almost a necessity. Just use them responsibly.
Yes, the students are to blame for not using the cards in a responsible manner, but it's also hard to feel sorry for the credit card companies who gave these cards to kids with no job, no credit history, nothing but their degree.
In my family - my parents never had credit cards until they were a requirement (as you mentioned) for travel, etc. I adhered to that practice as well. However, my little sister had some huge credit card debt. Luckily her husband and I worked with her so she paid off the debt - and so she understood the trade off. If you use a credit card - and pay off the balance by the due date each month - it's useful. However, if you can't pay the balance off - then the interest rate must be considered in the cost of the purchase.
Minimum payments make lots of purchases seem reasonable - but the interest - and sometimes the interest on that interest - is huge!
Plus it isn't very practical unless you time it right!