The Ghost of Expected Surprises
Here, Cratchet, what do you think you're doing?
Uh, er, leaving sir.
Leaving? It's 5 minutes to the hour. Shall I dock your pay accordingly.
Uh, er, no sir.
No sir? Well it's back to work for you then, and be quick about it. And I don't expect your mind to be off home before your body gets out the door either, what?
Uh, er, no sir.
Quite.
Will you be doing anything for Christmas, sir?
Christmas, Schmissmiss.
Uh, er, what sir?
Schmi, schmish. Smiss.
Are you okay, sir?
Schmee, smaa, ooh.
Mr. Scrooge, sir? Mr. Scrooge? Mr. Scroo?.
***********************************************************************
Oooohhh. Ooooooooooooooh!
What? Who? What? Oh!
EEEIIIIII am the Ghooooost of Expeeeected Surprises.
What? What? Again? Not again. Oh please, spirit, not again. Please no.
EEEIIIIII visited yoooooou laaaast year, Scroooooooooooooge.
Oh, yes, spirit, that you did. That you did. Ooooooooh, and here I forgot!
FOOOOORGOOOOOT!!!!!
Oh, please spirit. Not so loud. Not again. Not again.
Why am I heeere again, Scrooooooooge? Why again?
Uh, uh, because I forgot the very thing that comes around every year. I forgot, yet again, Spirit. Silly me. Oh, silly silly me. I'm a bad man, spirit. Please have mercy. Oh please.
What is the Deeeeefinition of Expeeeected, Scrooooooge?
Um, of course, yes, I know this, why it's something known in advance. Yes. Known in advance, spirit. Something you can see coming. It's clear. It's clear now, spirit. Foresight. Advanced knowledge.
And yet you are caught unprepaaaaaared again this year, Scroooooooge!!
I am, good spirit. I am wholly unprepared. I didn't see you coming either, I fear. Stupid, silly man that I am. Oh spirit. Please. What is to become of me?
Yoooooouuuuuuu knoooooow.
Oooooh. Not that spirit. Anything but that.
Yeeees. Scroooge. Revise yoooooour buuuuuudgettt.
My, my budget, spirit? But I have a budget.
Muuuuuussssst yooooou beeee reminded agaaaaain? Yooooou have a moooonthleeey budget, Scroooooge. Buuut you have nooooo alloooocation foor annual expeeeennnssses.
I forgot, spirit. I forgot.
Eveerrrry year yooooou have nooooo money fooooor Christmaaaaas. Noooo money foooooor birthdaaaaay gifts, noooooo money foooooor caaarriage insurance, noooo caaaash for property taaaaxes.
No spirit. Never a penny. Never a pound. Never a schekel I fear. I'm tapped out and credit cards haven't been invented yet!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! Never meeeention credit caaards, Scrooooooooge!
Sorry, spirit.
The Ghoooost of Future Expeeeeected Surprises is beset with credit caaaaard nightmaaaaares! Yoooooou don't waaaant a visit from hiiim.
No spirit, no. Not him. I've learned my lesson spirit. I have. I know I have. I will budget for annual expenses from now on. No longer will Ebenezer Scroooge be surprised by the expected. Caught without cash for things he knew, and always knew, were coming...yet again.
Caaaaash fooooor Christmaaaaaaas gifts too, Scroooooooooooge?
Wa, uh, ee, well, uh?
About The Author
Rick Hoogendoorn has been in the financial services industry in Victoria, BC since 1991. Happy Holidays from Cheri Crause & Associates Inc.
MORE RESOURCES:
 Earthtimes (press release) | US Consumer Credit Increases $14.3 Billion in June (Update2) Bloomberg - Consumer credit rose by $14.3 billion, the most since November, to $2.59 trillion, the Federal Reserve said today in Washington. In May, credit rose by $8.1 ... Consumer credit rose $14.33 bln in June US consumer credit rose at double the pace forecast in June Ahead of the Bell: Consumer Credit |
Credit Crunch Videos Sky News, UK - Equity, bond, and money markets were reluctant to accept that this was going to be a global banking problem, leading to a massive credit crisis. ... The credit crunch The year of living dangerously Many happy returns, credit crunch Credit crunch: Around the world |
US Government charges 11 in massive credit card fraud case Heise Online, Germany - The US government has charged 11 people with stealing tens of millions of credit and debit card details as part of an operation that targeted numerous ... Video: Feds Charge 11 in Massive Retail Hacking Case Biggest Ever Credit Card Scam In US 11 charged for stealing 40 mn US credit card numbers |
 Washington Post | Here comes the credit crackdown Independent, UK - One year into the credit crisis, regulators are hard at work on new laws they hope will prevent history repeating itself. Leading investment banks fear a ... Panel Calls for New Risk Standards UPDATE 2-US bank group says new products helped fuel crisis Wall Street group issues recommendations for market reform |
 Reuters | Credit Suisse auction-rate debt suit may start frenzy Reuters - ST Micro alleges in the August 6 complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, that by late 2006 Credit Suisse knew that collateralized debt ... Fannie Mae expects smaller credit losses in 2009 UPDATE 2-Credit Suisse auction-rate debt suit may start frenzy UPDATE 1-Brazil's Unibanco posts lower net, lending rises |
Credit Suisse sued by semiconductor firm Bobsguide (press release), UK - The latest suit has been filed in the US over alleged miss-selling of auction-rate securities, this time against Credit Suisse. ... Credit Suisse sued over 'auction' debt Auction-rate triage STMicro sues Credit Suisse over auction-rate debt |
 ABC News | Fannie Mae posts $2.3 billion loss as credit costs rise International Herald Tribune, France - "Fannie Mae will be marginally profitable in the back half of this year and in 2009," said Credit Suisse Group's Moshe Orenbuch, the top-ranked analyst ... Fannie: Sun will come out tomorrow Fannie Posts Deep Loss, Fannie's Paper Problems Drive Loss |
 RTT News | Credit expenses lead to $2.3 billion loss for Fannie MarketWatch - The company reported credit-related expenses of $5.3 billion in the quarter, which more than offset revenue of $4 billion. Fannie Mae also took a charge of ... Fannie falls after dividend cut Fannie Posts Large Q2 Loss; Says Rough Road Ahead TOP MARKET NEWS |
 RTE.ie | Credit squeeze eases slightly RTE.ie, Ireland - The ECB's July survey of more than 100 euro zone banks found 'somewhat lower net tightening of credit standards' for businesses and for home purchases than ... ECB sees euro-zone credit squeeze easing Banks tighten credit standards on gloomy growth view-ECB US Dollar Finishes Mostly Higher Despite Mixed Economic News |
 GameSHOUT | DoJ: Credit card thefts helped by 'well designed' software NetworkWorld.com, MA - By Patrick Thibodeau , Computerworld , 08/07/2008 The intruders whom the US Department of Justice alleges stole tens of millions of credit and debit card ... 41M credit cards stolen More than 40 million credit and debit card numbers stolen from ... Hackers "sniff" credit card numbers in largest id theft in history |
Why Credit Cards are a Bad Idea
Credit cards are just so convenient, aren't they? There's no need to carry any money with you ever again: you can just take one with you to the shop and pay the exact amount just by handing it over. If you haven't been paid yet, then you don't need to worry, because the money will still be there.
Credit Cards: Pros and Cons
Sure, there are a lot of problems with credit cards, but there are a lot of good things attached to them as well. For instance, if you have a small business, fleet credit cards can keep your books in order when you issue them to drivers of company vehicles for gas and automobile repairs.
The Hazards Of Your First Credit Card
You probably don't need me to tell you credit cards are easy to get a hold of; at least, that is so in the US and UK. How many weeks pass without a glossy brochure promoting a credit card popping through your letter box? And that's just your mail; the tv advertising budgets for credit card promotion are enormous, with some famous faces often adorning your screen, smiling beautifully as they tempt you.
Fair Credit Reporting Act: What You Should Know About It?
The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is designated to promote accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of every "consumer reporting agency" (CRA) or Credit Bureau. Learn what the law says and repair your credit today!Most CRA are credit bureaus that gather and sell information about you, such as if you pay your bills on time or have filed bankruptcy.
Online Credit Report and Online Credit Reports
Online credit reports are easily accessible to those interested in viewing them. If you have wondered about what kind of credit score you have, you can go on the Internet and look at your online credit report.
Types of Credit Cards
There are a whole variety of different types of credit cards available which can make choosing the right one a very confusing experience. In order to help you decide, listed below is a useful breakdown of the various types of credit cards available.
How to Improve Your Credit Rating
So you got into debt, had problems but you got yourself back on your feet through hard work and sacrifice and how are you rewarded? A Bad Credit Rating.You would be forgiven for thinking thats not fair and why did you bother sorting yourself out if your hands are still tied when it comes to applying for anything financial? There are ways to improve your credit rating and get back on track completely.
Bankruptcy vs. Credit Counseling: What Should I Do?
Credit Counseling and bankruptcy are both ways to relieve the stress of debt. However, they are very different and it is important to understand both before making a decision as to which is best for you.
Why Is It important!
Your credit is the most important thing you have other than your breathe. There are three types of people in this world.
What Does Your Credit Say About You?
A credit report is more than just a snapshot of your financial picture; it can assist credit grantors in determining your overall risk factor. Additionally, lenders, credit grantors, and even human resource departments often use it as a tool to determine a person's character.
Choosing the Best Low Interest Credit Card
With so many low interest credit cards on offer, how do you know which one to choose? Here is a brief guide for choosing your low interest credit card.The Chase Manhattan MasterCard is a great choice, for those with an excellent credit rating.
Credit Repair Myths and Facts
There are no secrets to repairing your credit. Many shady credit repair agencies would love you to think the contrary.
Legislators Ponder New Credit Protection Laws
Legislators in Washington, D.C.
Credit Card Incentives
Credit card companies want your business. After all, lending money to people is profitable.
How To Prevent Fraudulent Credit Card Transactions
What Are Possible Signs of Fraudulent Transactions see at Web Hosting Companies?Customer wants to pre-pay for a yearDomain Name Registration for 5 years or moreOrders using free email address providers like Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.Usage of multiple cards to complete order.
Rewards Cards - Are They Right For You?
Rewards cards have become the latest rage in the credit card industry. In the past, consumers shopped for credit cards that offered the lowest interest rate.
Identity Theft - How to Protect Yourself
"Like the tan? I got tons of sun on that Caribbean cruise. First class tickets to Florida and back! Nope, not an airline upgrade.
The Advantages of Credit Cards
There are many evils associated with credit cards, but there are benefits that are hard to ignore. One benefit is having the credit card company act in your behalf to recover funds from a disputed transaction.
Beware of Bogus Credit Repair Companies!
So-called "credit repair" companies claim they can remove negative information from credit reports. Advertising as "Credit Advisors," "Credit Rating Correction Services" or "Credit Consultants," they trumpet variations on this message: "Turned down because of bad credit? We can help!" Many of these companies charge hundreds if not thousands of dollars for the promise to "clean up" bad credit reports.
Credit Card Tips
Here are some useful credit card tips for you to consider before applying for a credit card. Before applying for a credit card, you should decide why you want one, and make sure you can use it wisely.