Spend, spend, spend

A few years back in my before life I was a credit nightmare. I had debt coming out of my ears. I worked very hard to get out of that financial crunch and I now consider myself fluid. I only buy things with cash. It works for me. Credit cards are evil (that's my mantra).

But - as everyone knows. You need credit to get along in the world today. I hardly carry cash. I have a bank card. It's just like cash and I have no problem using it for a 2.95 purchase. There is no extra fee for using it and it saves me from having to make sure I have money in my pocket.

So due to my hard work - I am now credit friendly. My score is high and the credit card companies keep killing trees to get my business. Their mailings land in the trash adding to the landfill.

I don't need your stinking money.

But - now I have a problem. I need some cash. I own a home that has doubled in value over the past few years. I want to invest in my property and do somethings to it as I have decided to make it my home for the next few years.

Mr. Bank comes over last night and tells me what he can do for me. This is what we will give you and this is what you will pay every month.

I am freaking out!!! It's not the bottom line as mortgages are way low and the way they play with the numbers - makes it feel like it stealing.

But its the fact that the little voice inside me is screaming....Owe. Owe. Owe. Owe.

I do not like to owe anyone. Maybe it was because of my freedom for the past few years of not having to worry about the credit collector on the other side of the ringing phone. The mountain of bills I received every month that were payed by order of importance and not when they were due.

I know what Mr. Bank is offering is fair. I know that what he is giving me will afford me to get a few things done that will not only up the value of the home - but make it nicer for me to be there.

But I can't help feeling that with the handshake - the noose around my neck is just a little tighter.

And just like the Flintstones cartoon - when Fred had a gambling problem and someone asked him if he would like to bet. His eyes turned to dollar signs and he spun in circles screaming...Bet,bet,bet,bet!!!

I am now pulling at that noose - crying... Owe? Owe? Owe? Owe?