Lawrence Watt-Evans wrote:
> On Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:28:59 -0800, Dimensional Traveler
> <dtra...@sonic.net> wrote:

>> Mike Ash wrote:
>>> In article
>>> <a6edc6ef-10a5-4fa9-8d67-b7c89d6d6...@b15g2000yqd.googlegroups.com>,
>>>  Matt Hughes <archon...@googlemail.com> wrote:

>>>> On 7 Nov, 00:39, Mike Ash <m...@mikeash.com> wrote:

>>>>> How are credit cards different for writers than for normal folk? Use the
>>>>> card ONLY when you have the money, cash sitting in the bank, to pay it
>>>>> off, and which you absolutely will not touch for any other purpose
>>>>> besides paying the card.
>>>> Freelancers get money in chunks and at irregular intervals.  Sometimes
>>>> people who owe you money don't pay when they say they will, but
>>>> utilities now operate their bill collection systems by computer.  When
>>>> the computer says turn off the phone, power, internet, off they go.
>>>> Credit cards take up the slack, but then if you go a long time between
>>>> gigs or the guy who owes you money goes out of business, the balance
>>>> sits there and accumulates interest.
>>> Those of us with regular jobs can never be 100% certain that the next
>>> paycheck is going to arrive either. That's why you use the credit card
>>> *only when you have actual cash money on hand to pay for the purchases*.
>>> If you do this, then it doesn't matter how irregular or uncertain your
>>> income is, you will always be able to pay the bill.

>> But that is (or at least used to be) downright UnAmerican!  It reflects
>> a lack of faith in the American Economic System and denies American
>> Companies' Executives their quarterly bonuses!  Not to mention reducing
>> the profits available to buy your Congressman or Senator with.

> Exactly the point.  It's subverting the system from within.

<dtra...@sonic.net> wrote:
>Lawrence Watt-Evans wrote:
>> On Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:28:59 -0800, Dimensional Traveler
>> <dtra...@sonic.net> wrote:

>>> Mike Ash wrote:
>>>> In article
>>>> <a6edc6ef-10a5-4fa9-8d67-b7c89d6d6...@b15g2000yqd.googlegroups.com>,
>>>>  Matt Hughes <archon...@googlemail.com> wrote:

>>>>> On 7 Nov, 00:39, Mike Ash <m...@mikeash.com> wrote:

>>>>>> How are credit cards different for writers than for normal folk? Use the
>>>>>> card ONLY when you have the money, cash sitting in the bank, to pay it
>>>>>> off, and which you absolutely will not touch for any other purpose
>>>>>> besides paying the card.
>>>>> Freelancers get money in chunks and at irregular intervals.  Sometimes
>>>>> people who owe you money don't pay when they say they will, but
>>>>> utilities now operate their bill collection systems by computer.  When
>>>>> the computer says turn off the phone, power, internet, off they go.
>>>>> Credit cards take up the slack, but then if you go a long time between
>>>>> gigs or the guy who owes you money goes out of business, the balance
>>>>> sits there and accumulates interest.
>>>> Those of us with regular jobs can never be 100% certain that the next
>>>> paycheck is going to arrive either. That's why you use the credit card
>>>> *only when you have actual cash money on hand to pay for the purchases*.
>>>> If you do this, then it doesn't matter how irregular or uncertain your
>>>> income is, you will always be able to pay the bill.

>>> But that is (or at least used to be) downright UnAmerican!  It reflects
>>> a lack of faith in the American Economic System and denies American
>>> Companies' Executives their quarterly bonuses!  Not to mention reducing
>>> the profits available to buy your Congressman or Senator with.

>> Exactly the point.  It's subverting the system from within.

>Which system?  Yours or the financial industry's?