Better to give…

The day was coming. I knew I had to start, the day was coming. So one Wednesday, a payday, I strolled up to an ATM and demanded money. I had to save the only way I knew how; by hoarding cash. It seemed a paltry amount, but I didn’t think the mortgage company would be amused if I drew to much.

So I neatly folded the crisp bills and stuffed them in my pocket. That night, when I got home and had a moment to myself, I pulled out an envelope, slipped the cash inside and hid it. I think it’s safe to tell you now that the appropriately named Stephen King book “Everything’s Eventual” served its purpose.

I continued this pattern, watching the dollars inside that envelope accumulate week after week. Desperately. Slowly. Eventually.

As the envelope grew thicker, it occurred to me I should take this opportunity to open a new checking account in a new bank; one that would be safe from the bill-paying that so depletes our monthly balance. A short-term investment would have been better, but I had neither enough cash nor the required acumen to handle that kind of transaction. Nor the time; exactly how short term is a short term investment anyway?

The time came when I had to make the call. It was either a buy a less expensive item, but not exactly what she wanted, or spend the extra and get her exactly what she wanted.

I saw on their website that they offered a year of no-interest financing. Perfect. I could pay the majority in the first payment, then have time and gentle payments to complete the purchase.

I have to tell you, it was worth it. We gave my daughter the package that night right after we had chocolate cake with whipped chocolate icing. Then she opened the package; her eyes lit up and she broke into a devastating smile and I knew it was all worth it. My daughter got exactly what she wanted; she was surprised and overjoyed. I think both of us grew a little misty over that cake.

I never subscribed to the old adage before, but I learned something that day: ’tis truly better to give then receive.