It is now the official season of gift-giving. The month of December is known for the generosity of people to those who are less fortunate, yet as always there may be a smaller percentage of those who just will not part with any of their money. The recent overabundance of the greedy, avaricious types of characters have multiplied, at the same time acceptance of cash is seen less often in the marketplace.
The individual most notably pictured in one of the most popular seasonal stories, “A Christmas Carol,” Scrooge was not only known as the richest but the meanest man, as well. This is considered a coveted, time-honored role for actors. While we also see more and more people giving during the holidays, it has become more evident that the poorest populations everywhere give the most to their fellow man.
The subject of money and the speculation about how one spends it was usually considered a private matter in communities, usually among the upper class, now called the one-percenters.
During the holiday shopping season, it appears that the use of credit cards has enabled more of us to feel more like this small percentage. Consumers looking for the best deals to be found can be lulled into thinking they are able to spread the payments and make good on them during a reasonable amount of time, ignoring the fine print. Three or four years should not be considered reasonable.
Conversations about the value of the dollar could be overheard as excited folks converged at restaurants and coffee and tea shops on the first Black Friday of the month. “The money is coming tomorrow,” and “I will get paid in a few weeks.” Both overheard snippets of such conversations assumed that their future payments would be assured. They were excited to find the deals, just in time for buying holiday presents. Yet, our increased purchasing of big-ticket items has changed how we view this tradition.
Months later, the real buying dilemma becomes evident, as so many find themselves in debt and regret saddling themselves with more monthly expenses. Sellers now assume that most everyone will bite at the chance to get money with no visible strings attached.
The old expression “mad money” referred to money that had been saved especially for impromptu, non-essential purchases. “Money-mad” is more like it.
By DOLLY VISCARDI