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Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Ouch!

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

It sure doesn't seem to be affecting the folks with the BIG bucks, now, does it? For example, all of the Bush pals who stiffed their stockholders and pensioners for millions of dollars--like Kenny Boy whatshisname....

You know, karma doesn't begin in this lifetime--it's a continuum. (And we are also instruments of karma.) The mechanism of karma, as I understand it, is that if we do things that harm other people, we'll probably pay for it in the next lifetime. (If we don't in the current one.) Now THAT I put a lot of attention to.

Credit card companies operate with full knowledge that a relatively large percentage of their cardholders are not going to pay. That's why they charge annual fees, interest rates that are much higher than that charged when you get a loan from a bank, interest on interest, etc. Those exhorbitant fees--even more exhorbitant here in Mexico, by the way (including interest and annual fees, right around 48 percent is the average cost of a Visa or Mastercard) plus the amount of money from people who pay those fees plus their balances, minus the amount of receivables that are not collectible seems to come out to a nice profit as the bottom line. In all business operations, deadbeats like I became in 1994 are a cost of doing business.

If you want to agonize over debts owed to Daddy Warbucks (aka Big Capital), that's absolutely your right and your choice. But consider this: by that logic, anyone who files for bankruptcy (which I could have done if I had been living in the States at the time) will pay for it in his/her next lifetime. And I don't choose to believe that.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

So is it okay to steal from a faceless corporation - but not Joe Average next door?

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

Antaraaaa · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 120 Location: Dublin, Ireland

I am not surprised Moonraven is a thief . I am also not surprised she attempts (pathetically) to justify it, lol.

What a sad creature.

mrsrhu · Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 6

It may be possible to negotiate a lower payoff with the credit card company, like Consumer Credit Counselling does. Call and ask them. But I don't know if they would allow you to keep the account open - were you counting on that? - or how it would show up on your credit report. One account I have offered me a 70% payoff when I paid off the account and closed it.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

The next time someone you know declares bankruptcy because he/she can't pay debts, tell him/her that he/she is a thief. I am sure that your support will be appreciated.

What the heck, moral superiority is preferable to friendship anyway....

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

Credit cards, by design, are a kind of theft. They encourage you to live beyond your means then punish you for it. Aside from travelling, why on earth would you need a credit card if you could pay off the entire balance each month?

As for stealing from credit card companies, what are you stealing? No new money was physically made while you were racking up those debts, they're just figures on a screen. You're paying interest on 'money' that doesn't exist.

I'm not advocating screwing a credit card company but since you've been duped and screwed in the first place, I wouldn't feel too guilty about it.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

thelmadatter · Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:50 pm Post subject: so

So if you dont believe it exists, don't borrow it.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Oboy--I guess they don't have these kinds of arguments in Trenton, Newark, wherever--they must just head for the boardwalk and bake their brains out.

dyak · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 630

thelmadatter · Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:16 pm Post subject: banking

OK back to the real world

OK, lets assume youll make enough money to make payments.

As far as the logistics of paying debts and getting money back, it isnt easy but with a bit of planning and a contigency fund, it can be done. My student loan payment is taken out of my US checking account every month. That account is there soley for that and writing CS checks to my ex. I have enough money to cover 6 months of expenses there. I arranged that before I left for Mexico. Every paycheck, I put aside my money in the form of travelers checks. When my son visits me or when someone I know goes to the States, I give them a stamped envelope addressed to my bank to mail. Ive never had a problem with this system. The only thing I do is double-tape envelopes my son carries as to not tempt my ex into peeking ha ha ha ha

This has worked out pretty well for me all in all.