Do not be easily entangled

Remember the phone order thing I still won’t mention from 11-10-07 because I don’t want you to patronize their company? Well, it happened again with a different company, and this was even more excruciating than the last. I desired (operative word—this wasn’t a need) a special Christmas CD so I can listen to Christmas music driving to and from work, and since guests are visiting over the holidays. I had to listen to 20 minutes’ worth of solicitations for items I was not interested in; and couldn’t just hang up because my order was not confirmed. Further, because I opted out/declined allowing 3rd party entities from “hitting up” my credit card with their offers, the item I originally called about which was advertised at 9.99 jumped up to $14.99. That’s it! I’m done with phone-in, talk-only-to-the-system orders. There’s actually a Bible verse that warns us: “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV) I felt so entrapped, ensnared and entangled while making this call…much like a fly caught in a spider’s web.

Another coupon savings

Went to CVS to buy some pertinent items. Should have cost: $21.04. Paid $16.04. Saved $5 with coupon.

Peer pressure to spend money

I received a call from someone whom I shall remain nameless. She was attending a conference in the northeast. It was a Friday night, and her roomies had gone out on the town. Nothing wrong with that, but she lamented that she simply didn’t have the money. Even though her sponsoring organization was picking up the conference tab—including airfare & transportation—she is cognizant that after spending a ridiculous amount of money for coffee and vendors’ convention food, she still has student loans and credit card bills to continue paying after the conference is over. Therefore, even though room service is in and of itself high, she reasoned that it’s more cost-productive than “going out on the town,’ where one spends money for taxicabs & fancy smancy restaurants. I say, "Hooray for her!" Peer pressure is hard, but delayed gratification today equals investment—and learning the art of discipline—in her future bank account tomorrow.

Let's talk about giving

Since Thanksgiving and the holidays are upcoming, let's devote a little time to address the subject of giving, shall we?

There are essentially 4 types of giving:

• Monetary (giving money to help a person or a charitable cause);
• In-kind (giving goods versus money, such as canned food for a Thanksgiving basket for a needy family—make sure it’s something that you would buy for yourself);
• Time (taking time out of our busy lives to do something for someone else, even if it is listening & talking to them on the phone); and
• Talents (such as lending our artistic expertise to help paint the backdrop for the school or church play).

There are also ways to give:

• Cheerfully (or begrudgingly). The Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver (verse). If we were to give while gritting our teeth, it is actually better to keep it and to not give it at all;
• Philanthropically out of abundance, such as when we have time on our hands to contribute to a worthy cause;
• Sacrificially despite our own need, such as when someone truly needs our expertise, and we give by not charging that person a fee (I have actually been the beneficiary of such gracious giving); and
• Anonymously, such as donating money and specifically requesting that one’s name not be mentioned or printed publicly.

I don’t mean to preach to you, but this really caught my attention: that same verse promises: “You should each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT) Wow! Did you notice the words "always," "everything," and "plenty"? I sure did.

Additional recommended reading: Bill Clinton’s book titled Giving: How each of us can change the world.

Address correction

I noticed a misspelling on my address in the process of paying my business bill. I wrote the correct address spelling on the back of my billing statement and called the credit card company, as I don’t want any payment problems because of a simple mistake as this. And who knows how much—or what little grace—I may be shown if my next statement is not received by me in time to pay it due to the credit card company’s address error?

Refund restrictions

Remember our cable TV refund of $43.19? (see 11-21-07). After wondering where it is, I am now being told that it takes 6-8 weeks to process after closing the account! The CSR expedited my refund, but the amount they sent to me was $25.19, $18 less than what I was told on the phone. Why? They supposedly credited it to my bundled package (after I specifically requested a check, and not credit). Furthermore, they are currently airing commercials about upgrading one’s package. This is the way I see it: if they can’t get my bill right and are chintzy with my refund, I will simply ignore the commercials and turn the channel, regardless of what superstar they've paid to create a jingle endorsing their product or service.

Holiday Buffet Special

Rachel’s Restaurant at the Sheraton University hotel is offering a Thanksgiving special all-you-can-eat lunch buffet for Faculty, Staff & Students for $6.95 versus the normal price of $11.95. I need to count this $5 savings twice more, however, because I treated James there for his Birthday Lunch during on December 28th during winter break. Total Savings: $15.