Piper

​I could be wrong, but this era seems to be characterised by the desire for short term gain over long term pain.  It is understandable but in the long run I wonder if it is wise.
I base my assumption on what I see. Credit cards are maxed out.  Often people have more than one and they are all maxed out.  Sometimes it is a case of trying to keep the wolf from the door, but often it seems to be a case of wanting something and wanting it now.
I owed a place and was living by myself for a while.  It was years ago but I remember it as plain as day.  There came a day I could afford to get a printer.  Just doing what I had to had kept me short.  But the day came when I could get what I had had in mind to get for ages but could not afford.  A printer.  It was less than $200 but I will never forget the good feeling having it.
There are things that require debt.  In my case it was a house.  The advice we received was do not hurry to pay it off.  Yet to be honest Merril and I were not comfortable with that.  We determined it was better not to be beholden to another.  We could afford to pay things now, but that did not mean we would always be able to afford things.
There are things that are appealing, and I could certainly use, but I guess I am conservative.  I won’t get it unless I can afford it.
Some have more cash than they could ever need or use.  That is not us.  Looking under our beds will not yield wads of cash.  We don’t have cheques lying around we do not know what we can do with.  It is more like “wow.  $50,000.  What is the best way we could use that?”
Too often I have seen others want something and want it now and get it even if it meant going into debt to do so.  When that is a one-off the ramifications are not as dire.  Yet often it is a habit.  Eventually a limit is reached, and the debt needs to be paid.  The piper comes a calling.
Right now we are retired and comfortable.  I really feel for those who are retired on a fixed low income and the price of water and electricity has gone through the roof.  I remember saying to someone years ago it is like everyone wants the maximum they can get from your dollar.
These are uncertain times.  It is never safe to presume.  For even the most frugal what I have could be gone in a moment.  But while I can I will make the most of what we’ve got.  In the future any debt I have may be wiped, but so often freedom is bondage in disguise.  I want the piper to move on, as there is nothing for them here.