The Ghost of Expected Surprises

Here, Cratchet, what do you think you're doing?

Uh, er, leaving sir.

Leaving? It's 5 minutes to the hour. Shall I dock your pay accordingly.

Uh, er, no sir.

No sir? Well it's back to work for you then, and be quick about it. And I don't expect your mind to be off home before your body gets out the door either, what?

Uh, er, no sir.

Quite.

Will you be doing anything for Christmas, sir?

Christmas, Schmissmiss.

Uh, er, what sir?

Schmi, schmish. Smiss.

Are you okay, sir?

Schmee, smaa, ooh.

Mr. Scrooge, sir? Mr. Scrooge? Mr. Scroo?.

***********************************************************************

Oooohhh. Ooooooooooooooh!

What? Who? What? Oh!

EEEIIIIII am the Ghooooost of Expeeeected Surprises.

What? What? Again? Not again. Oh please, spirit, not again. Please no.

EEEIIIIII visited yoooooou laaaast year, Scroooooooooooooge.

Oh, yes, spirit, that you did. That you did. Ooooooooh, and here I forgot!

FOOOOORGOOOOOT!!!!!

Oh, please spirit. Not so loud. Not again. Not again.

Why am I heeere again, Scrooooooooge? Why again?

Uh, uh, because I forgot the very thing that comes around every year. I forgot, yet again, Spirit. Silly me. Oh, silly silly me. I'm a bad man, spirit. Please have mercy. Oh please.

What is the Deeeeefinition of Expeeeected, Scrooooooge?

Um, of course, yes, I know this, why it's something known in advance. Yes. Known in advance, spirit. Something you can see coming. It's clear. It's clear now, spirit. Foresight. Advanced knowledge.

And yet you are caught unprepaaaaaared again this year, Scroooooooge!!

I am, good spirit. I am wholly unprepared. I didn't see you coming either, I fear. Stupid, silly man that I am. Oh spirit. Please. What is to become of me?

Yoooooouuuuuuu knoooooow.

Oooooh. Not that spirit. Anything but that.

Yeeees. Scroooge. Revise yoooooour buuuuuudgettt.

My, my budget, spirit? But I have a budget.

Muuuuuussssst yooooou beeee reminded agaaaaain? Yooooou have a moooonthleeey budget, Scroooooge. Buuut you have nooooo alloooocation foor annual expeeeennnssses.

I forgot, spirit. I forgot.

Eveerrrry year yooooou have nooooo money fooooor Christmaaaaas. Noooo money foooooor birthdaaaaay gifts, noooooo money foooooor caaarriage insurance, noooo caaaash for property taaaaxes.

No spirit. Never a penny. Never a pound. Never a schekel I fear. I'm tapped out and credit cards haven't been invented yet!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! Never meeeention credit caaards, Scrooooooooge!

Sorry, spirit.

The Ghoooost of Future Expeeeeected Surprises is beset with credit caaaaard nightmaaaaares! Yoooooou don't waaaant a visit from hiiim.

No spirit, no. Not him. I've learned my lesson spirit. I have. I know I have. I will budget for annual expenses from now on. No longer will Ebenezer Scroooge be surprised by the expected. Caught without cash for things he knew, and always knew, were coming...yet again.

Caaaaash fooooor Christmaaaaaaas gifts too, Scroooooooooooge?

Wa, uh, ee, well, uh?

About The Author

Rick Hoogendoorn has been in the financial services industry in Victoria, BC since 1991. Happy Holidays from Cheri Crause & Associates Inc.

---

Small Business Credit Cards

So what do you look for when applying for a... Read More

Establishing Credit ? What You Need To Know Part 1

Establishing credit is one of the most important things you... Read More

The Next Person With Credit Problems Got Their First Credit Card Today!

One of the focus areas of my information is the... Read More

Free Credit Reports - How to Maintain Your Credit Profile

Maintaining your Credit ProfileEvery consumer should be maintaining their credit... Read More

ChexSystems: Alternative Options for People Whove Been Checking Accounts

Individual banks elect to become members of ChexSystems, and to... Read More

Building A Credit Report Lenders Will Love You For

Will lenders really love you for having a good credit... Read More

Simplifying Your Search For a New Credit Card

Today, selecting the proper credit card can be a bit... Read More

Do you Know the Benefits of Checking your Credit Report?

Do you know why you should check your credit report?Of... Read More

Saving Money with Credit Cards

Having a credit card is a wonderful convenience for those... Read More

Different Ways to Borrow Money

There are many different ways to borrow money. Outlined below... Read More

How To Establish Great Credit

Building a good credit history is important. If you have... Read More

Top 5 Credit Misconceptions

We have all heard the rumors?from neighbors, relatives or friends.... Read More

Stop Credit Card Offers

You can stop receiving credit card offers in the mail!... Read More

The Credit Card Surprise That You Need to Look Out For

Companies that issue credit cards want to make a profit.... Read More

Are you paying higher interest on your credit cards than you think?

Many credit card holders sign up for a credit account... Read More

Rebuild Your Credit the Right Way the First Time

If you are one of the millions of people out... Read More

The FICO Score Misconceptions

There are many misconceptions about credit scores out there. There... Read More

Sound Advice For First Time Credit Card Users

If you are just entering the world of credit cards,... Read More

A Cure for an Ailing Credit

Credit has become a much-used word, thanks to the various... Read More

Bounced Checks - Straight Talk On Dealing With Bad Checks (NSF)

A check can be considered bad if it is bogus... Read More

Credit Card Benefits and Drawbacks

Credit cards have both benefits and drawbacks. It is wise... Read More

Why Does FACTA Matter to Me?

FACTA stands for Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act. FACTA... Read More

Five Credit Card Billing Problems and How to Fix Them

It goes without saying that your first and best defense... Read More

Its Your Credit - Take Care of It!

Thanks to the Fair and Accurate Credit Act, American consumers... Read More

Errors on Your Credit Report: What You Should Do

There are times when you may be turned down for... Read More

3 Free Credit Reports For You

If you were to tell someone that they can have... Read More

The Hazards Of Your First Credit Card

You probably don't need me to tell you credit cards... Read More

How did a Thief get my Name? Don?t be a Victim of Identity Theft

How do these people get my name? If you have... Read More

7 Consumer Credit Laws You Should Know if You are Trying to Repair Your Credit

There are seven consumer credit laws you should be aware... Read More

Credit Cards - The Basics

How Lenders Operate ? And How They'll Make a Tidy... Read More

Beware of Bogus Credit Repair Companies!

So-called "credit repair" companies claim they can remove negative information... Read More

Tips for Choosing a Credit Card Company

Credit Cards are essential for any consumer today. However, when... Read More

Repair Your Credit - The Right Way!

How to Repair a Bad Credit Rating?The Right Way!If you... Read More