So this week is one of those weeks where living without consumer credit forces lifestyle changes. I had a minor car repair, and had almost no pizza deliveries last week, so this week I totally ran out of cash. I have just enough gas money to get to work, but like most people I had to take the money out of grocery budget. Oh if only landlords and insurance companies were as elastic as our stomachs.
So today I went to a food bank, Men United for God on wyandotte. I got some fresh peppers and tomatoes, bread, canned vegetables, juice and pasta. I'm very thankful that our community has this kind of help. During my time volunteering at a food bank I felt the joy of helping others, and today I felt the joy of being helped.
I know there is a culture of shame in our society about taking handouts, but for me the real shame is using credit cards to make ends meet. I know so many people who month after month dig themselves a deeper debt grave. Economic realities are so hard to see in this lifestyle, there are many blurred lines between wants, needs, what is affordable and what is not. This week, I could not afford to drive to work and eat. If i bought groceries on credit card, I still could not afford to eat, but would have the illusion that I did.
If you do have credit cards, I encourage you to max them out and never pay it back. Its best to take as much money as you can from the sharks, while you have the opportunity. When you need financial help, turn to the community for true help, please do not turn to consumer credit to exchange help for financial slavery.
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