Debt, Common Sense, and Broken English

In today's world, it seems as though everything is made for instant gratification; whether it be on-line bill pays, instant rebates, automated monthly transactions...the list could go on and on. But with the current state of the economy, doesn't it seem as though the general public should be more apt to take matters into their own hands? In my case, I'm pinching every single penny; cutting every corner that might save me a buck or two and sacrificing those processing fees that come with the luxury of not having to go to the post office or make a phone call once a month.

With most of the people I encounter though, this is not the case. Almost every single person I've talked to recently is still in the same rut of automation. No matter that they're up to their ears in credit card debt, confused about where it comes from, defaulting on bank loans, etc. This is no big deal. With a simple "call or click" they can have those nasty payments that have piled up for months reconsolidated by any number of companies that are willing to adverstise late at night on basic cable. Just a quick call and someone from India or Budapest or God knows where can help fix every problem one may have in their best broken English.

Oh, did I forget to mention the debt doesn't go away? A-a-and those companies that are willing to provide this service also charge a fee. And if there is any worry about that 430 credit score, there are multiple companies...and corresponding fees...that can fix that in no time.

Now don't get me wrong, I know from personal experience how easy it can be to say "I'll pay that next month" to a credit card. When credit companies continually increase spending limits though, with seemingly blatant disregard for balances or monthly payments, the trap is already sprung. But the real question here is where does the money come from? If more and more people annually spend more than they can repay, something has got to give at some point. I believe that point has already come and passed us by.

I guess the moral of the story is this: Why worry about debt and mounting payments when the answer is right in front of us? Sure one may desire everything; but when it's all available at the drop of a hat, it can be hard to differentiate between necessity and commodity. I only hope that this confusion resolves in the coming years. Reform for these massive conglomerates has a bleak outlook, at best. The only real hope is for people to stop, evaluate, and maybe, just maybe, use some common sense.