Why Should I Pay off my Debt?

But the MATH, they screech. We’ve all heard the arguments on how credit cards are so beneficial if you use them right. 

But why? What’s the point in using them right?

THE POINTS ARE THE POINT! Then follows a mathematical diatribe about percentages and free money. 

I am purposely exaggerating the position of the pro-credit crowd to make the point that certain things make sense when you are in a particular framework of mind. 

For example: Lets say you are bored and you don’t have any money to buy some snacks for movie night. You’re hanging out with your buddies when you see an old lady heading to her apartment building. If you are a criminal, it makes perfect sense to go and snatch her purse. She can’t stop you, she can’t catch you, and she might have a few twenties in her purse which you can use to get some snacks. Why wouldn’t you take it?

Kids are going for $20-30k. If you are in the world of trafficking, you can take a kid from someone else. Why not? It’s $20k+ in your pocket. 

Disa is offering 1.5% and LasterNard will give you 50 quintillion points if you spend $10k in 90 days. It’s free money, just take it.

The first two examples are actually bad deeds and tangibly hurt others but, they make sense if you live within that framework. The last example doesn’t tangibly (at least not immediately) hurt anyone, but there is a soul cost that can only be understood once you’ve escaped. 

The Creature in the Corner.

It’s eyes are cold. They’re not mean, they’re just devoid of any affection for you. And, it lives in the corner of every room in your house. It has something on you and so it is allowed to stay. But how did it get there? Many times it comes from higher education. Sometimes it comes from misplaced desires being married to instant gratification. It comes friendly and colorful with its hands full of gifts. Here’s a mug and there is a bluetooth speaker. “That sounds nice” you say and you reach for the speaker. “Not so fast” it says with a too-wide grin. “First you have to spend some of my money and when you get paid you can pay me back a little at a time. How does that sound?” “Hmmm, you’re not quite sold. “So when does the speaker come in?” If you use my money instead of yours, I’ll give you MILLIONS of points and then you can use those points to get this here mighty fine speaker for free.”

Three years later.

There it stands, quiet, unamused, watching you like you like it owns you. It’s not dressed so brightly and only smiles when it is making you a new offer. The house isn’t yours and the cars aren’t yours. The marketing degree is also not yours (technically) because out of every check you have to hand a portion of it to the creature in the corner. You go to work each day, and on payday it stands there with it’s hand out stretched, waiting for you to give it its due. 

Like clothes on your back or white noise, it’s presence fades into the background of your life. It lives in all your friend’s houses and a small one lived in your parents house when you were a kid. It’s normal. You never forget it’s there, but you also don’t notice it enough for it to be a problem. 

Summer is in full swing.

It’s hot.

The A/C goes out.

You turn to the creature and ask for the amount the HVAC guy just quoted you.

The creature says no. 

Your brow furrows. What? Why? I always share my paycheck with you and I’m never late! It says no again. I’ve given you enough and if I give you more you’ll start missing payments and we can’t have that now can we?

It’s not smiling. It’s not being gentle with you. The answer is no.

You turn to go. 

“Wait” it says.

You stop to listen…

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