Three years ago, I have made a decision that truly changed my life. No, I did not quit my job nor settle down with a jobless guy nor decided to get pregnant and be a single mom. I decided to get what Isla Fisher’s character in one movie called, a ‘magic card’. It was a choice that I have given a lot of thought; it was not made overnight, but months of careful thinking which I thought was already enough.
Taking into consideration the many conveniences of having this card, I finally decided to make the online application and get one for myself. Now that I am recalling what happened prior to that specific event, I realized that I only focused on the ‘conveniences’ of having this electronic card on my wallet. What I have failed to do is to look at the ‘inconveniences’ this thing would bring. And that my friend, was the grave mistake that I did. When we make a decision, we usually look into the pros and cons, the advantages and the disadvantages, the good and the bad. In short, we try to weigh things out before making the final choice. That is what a normal person would do, a normal person like me. But for that one instance, I have not considered the not so good things that will come from my decision.
It is a common knowledge that carrying this thing really makes life easier and safer. It comes so handy; one need not bring nor withdraw plenty of cash when you want to go shopping. Some establishments give discounts and if you have the right card, you can avail of it. Others have seasonal sale exclusively for specific cardholders. These companies even offer freebies for new cardholders. By simply making a specific amount of purchases using your new card, you will automatically get any of the following - food items, a watch, or a phone among other things. They also offer rebates and reward programs of various forms for loyal cardholders. The more you use the card the better rewards and the more rebates you get. Or shall I say, the more you swipe, the more you can wipe. These are not all but only some of the benefits that a cardholder gets by simply using this magic card.
In our society, people work hard to be someone, go somewhere and acquire some things. And we want something to prove our achievements; to define our spot in the world we live in – a status symbol. This little magic card can also do the trick.
That is why many people are blown away to get one or maybe two or even more. The application process has been made easier and accessible to many. Some have it online and you just have to do several clicks on your keyboard, wait for the card specialist to call, prepare some documents and send them through the facsimile. Some more calls for verification and in less than a month or so and voila! Your card is in the mail.
Getting one is so easy. Having one is a pleasure. Swiping one is very rewarding. As a cardholder, what more can you ask for?
Just like Isla Fisher’s character, I own several cards. She’s got twelve, but unlike her, I only have three. Just like her, I have used up all of my cards, but unlike her, I did not spend it on high-end pieces of clothes, shoes and bags and I did not buy the things that I do not actually need. I have used my cards to buy the essentials – food, medicine, clothes and even pay the utility bills. Yeah, I would admit that I have over used them. It was a case of financial mismanagement – spending more than your earnings.
I can totally relate to Rebecca Bloomwood’s situation. Because just like her, I am worried and asking myself how am I going to pay off all the amounts due? Just like her, I have been ignoring calls, hiding from debt collectors and not to mention the final notices. Yes, these things do exist. But these are the things that I am not fully aware of. These are the things that I should have thought about before I made that simple and easy application online. I never knew that this day will come. I never thought that at one point I will be having financial difficulties. I should have asked the ‘what ifs.’ Sadly, I have never thought of that. If I could turn back the time, I will definitely do things in a different way.
Unfortunately, I am not very much like Rebecca Bloomwood. Because first, I am from the real world and she is from a movie. Second, I do not have designer clothes, shoes and bags that I can sell. Third, she gets to solve her problem and experience a happy ending. While I am still figuring out to solve my dilemma and my happy ending is still in the making. Lastly, Rebecca Bloomwood is a (reformed) shopaholic and debt free. I am not a shopaholic and I am not debt free.
Right now, there are lOooots of questions going through my mind but it is a little too late to think about it. I have learned a very important lesson in this situation - the power to control things is within our hands, but that is a challenge we must face. Hoping and looking forward that one day all of these will be resolved.
