First, an announcement: This is blog #600! I started posting weekly in March, 2015. Pretty sure I’ve only missed two since then, and had a handful of re-posts, but mostly it’s been new “content” (were we even using this word in that way in 2015?). Since Lily and 9 came on board in 2019 and 2020, respectively, they’ve been a huge help and inspiration.
Wow! Thanks!
Always nice to be appreciated.
This week, we’re contemplating a recent adventure in On the Road Finances. Have you ever left home for a few days and in the middle of your 400-mile drive to get to your destination, realized you left your credit card, your ONLY credit card, at home?
How strange. I’ve never known you to do that before.
It was definitely a first-time experience, Lily, and hopefully the last of this nature.
This single credit card, which I’ve had since 1984 *, was used to fill up the Subaru the afternoon before the adventure began. Usually I’m wearing jeans when I pump gas and tuck the card in my back pocket after it is authorized, but this time I was wearing a skirt and fleece jacket, rushing home from a 4-hour docent shift at a local museum. With jeans, I sense the card in the back pocket when I’m changing out of them. But with the jacket- -nope.
On the Road Finances: Involving the credit card procured way back in 1984, as told in a prior blog *. . .
I’d crossed the Cascade Mountains and stopped for fuel in Packwood, WA. A quick survey of my wallet turned up my ancient Safeway club card, my driver’s license (thank goodness!), and a bit of emergency cash as advised by my dad several decades ago. Enough for fuel to my destination and back home? Enough to feed myself while I was there? And what extreme good luck that my lodging could be paid for by check (remember those old things?). A friend I met en route for coffee offered me a cash loan for backup, which, as it turned out, I did not have to use. Because after a precarious start, luck ended up being my middle name for the rest of the trip.
I’d packed some food since I was staying in a cabin rental, and realized I could probably write a check for more provisions at a local food co-op where I’m a lifetime member. Yes on that, and also on the redemption of a local book store gift certificate for a copy of Barbara Kingsolver’s new release “Partita.” Plus, meals with family, for which I’d brought a couple bottles of Walla Walla vino.
On the Road Finances: Eased by a book store gift certificate. . .
By some miracle I made it there and back on my original $165.00, with a bit of change!
And did you learn anything from this?
I did, Lily. No matter how routine a trip seems, always check to make sure your credit card is where you believe it to be!
Though I was 99.9% sure the old credit card was safe and secure at home, as an extra precaution I cancelled it immediately after I discovered it was missing and had a new one issued. As it happenes, the old card was exactly where I’d hoped it would be! But today I’m being punished for my carelessness by being required to sign up for online banking to activate the new card. Yes, I am one of those people that hates apps. I will probably be the very last human on Earth to be seduced by the siren song of ChatGPT.
Of what?
Forget I mentioned it 9, truly!
Readers, please excuse me so I can start the grueling process of notifying the dozen or so entities that automatically charge my card for recurring expenses.
Because, you know, penance. . .
____________________________________
*The (unbelievably by today’s standards) sexist tale of how I first secured this credit card unfolds in a blog from 10 years ago:
https://www.susandmatley.com/official-blog/visa-and-the-man/
