There’s a credit card company that runs television commercials which can only be called arrogant. You know the one. If you don’t have their card, you might as well not bother inviting a business customer to lunch. If you don’t have it, your spouse will not be impressed with whatever you get them for their birthday.

If your self image depends on having a certain kind of credit card, you have a lot more problems than your choice of credit card. You need to check yourself.

Somewhere in the past few decades, incurring debt has become America’s biggest addiction. Our parents had it right. We should incur debt for things we need that we cannot get without credit. A house, maybe a car, perhaps some appliances the family needs. That lesson got lost, however.

My mother worked full time. She took a sack lunch to work every day. She rationed her Dentyne gum, chewing only a half a piece each day after lunch. These were the actions of a frugal woman who knew her family needed the two incomes she and her husband provided. She understood the value of a dollar.

She made clothes for herself and her children. She taught us not to waste food. She taught us not to waste money. She taught us to buy things we could afford.

My dad died nearly four decades ago, and a few years later, she remarried. My step dad, Pops, has been my step dad almost 36 years. My Mom and Pops lived economically sound, too. They saved. They worked hard. They created out of nothing but their skills and dedication a business. A few years ago, they sold that business, and now in retirement they enjoy the fruits of their labors of many years.

You know what they never needed while doing all that? A credit card that markets itself to people who need a certain kind of credit card to feel validated.

If I want to take a trip, I have many ways of finding and booking the travel arrangements. If I want to take someone to a play, I can figure out how to call the theatre and buy tickets. If I want to take someone special to dinner, it takes about three minutes to get a reservation. Am I to believe all of this is somehow too complicated without asking someone sitting in a cubicle God only knows where to handle it for me?

I am opposed to excessive use of credit. The country is in the process of coughing up a giant hairball of debt right now. We got it because we are addicted to consumer debt, because too many have wants that exceed their needs or ability to pay for their purchases.

Besides, most merchants don’t take that obnoxious, pretentious, self important card any more, and it’s about time. Do leave home without it.oaktreefm58@hotmail.com

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