What Comes In Must Go Out

You've got to hand it to the banking industry. They figured out how to get their hands on all the money. When I was a kid we were taught to make a budget when we grew up. You listed all your fixed expenses, rent, food, clothes, utilities, and so on, and you were supposed to allow for a certain amount to be put into monthly savings. Then, when you had enough, you could dip into that "rainy day" stash if you needed a new car, say, or the washing machine broke, or you wanted to take a vacation. Your bank paid you interest on this money, because basically what you were doing was lending the bank money. If you were careful the amount you had socked away grew, and so did the interest it was earning. But then the banking wizards came up with the great credit card scam. They would lend you the money instead, in increments so relatively small you didn't notice as they piled up. Now, instead of budgeting for savings, you have to budget enough to make your minimum credit card payments. You're now paying the bank interest, far in excess of the interest they once paid you. It has to be that way because of all the third world countries defaulting on their billions in loans. So next time you make a payment, don't think about how the banks are ripping you off, think about all you're doing to help the despots of the world maintain their lavish lifestyles.