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.

---

Credit Score ? for Scoring the Right Loan

Somebody once said, "There is always a way of knowing... Read More

Credit Help for Real Estate Financing: Credit Scores

When you buy real estate, lenders run all of the... Read More

Credit Card Traps: How To Spot Them On The Spot!

They arrive in your mail - a conspicuous looking mail... Read More

Finding Reputable Credit Card Companies

You're interested in getting the best credit cards for your... Read More

Good Credit is King, When Qualifying for Mortgage Programs

If you want to purchase a new home or refinance... Read More

Credit and Banking Money Saving Services

The first rule when applying for banking and credit services... Read More

FREE Credit Report Offer - Careful, It Might Carry Hidden Charges

FREE credit checks or free credit reports. What are they... Read More

Credit Repair Myths and Facts

There are no secrets to repairing your credit. Many shady... Read More

Learn How to Improve Your Credit Score

Having a damaging credit record can hurt you in many... Read More

Student Credit Cards 101

If you're a college student, you probably already have a... Read More

Low Interest Credit Cards Have Many Advantages

When credit cards are used wisely they can be very... Read More

How To Choose A Credit Card

Your credit score may just be a little number, but... Read More

Identity Theft ? Monitor Your Credit Report

The recent security breach at credit card processor CardSystems Solutions... Read More

Simplifying Your Search For a New Credit Card

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

How Your Credit History Can Affect Your Life

Your credit history is an important aspect of your life.... Read More

Balance Transfers Introduction

Credit card balance transfer involves using a credit... Read More

Credit Cards For People With Bad Credit Scores

Sometimes life lands you in a situation that causes your... Read More

New Law Provides Free Annual Credit Report

As of Thursday, December 1, 2004, one-third of Americans will... Read More

The Ghost of Expected Surprises

Here, Cratchet, what do you think you're doing?Uh, er, leaving... Read More

How to Get Credit Reporting Agencies to Help You

The process of clearing credit can be laborious and frustrating.... Read More

Home Loans ? Repair Your Credit Before You Buy

Before you take out a home loan or make any... Read More

Guide to Credit Terms

Listed below is a useful guide to credit card terms.... Read More

Credit Suicide

Few things influence the home buying process more than your... Read More

Credit Cards - Why Prepay?

With prepaid credit cards, you get the practicality of plastic... Read More

Beat Credit Card Companies at Their Own Game!

Have you ever wondered how much money a credit card... Read More

Credit Card Debt: One Way To Avoid It

One of the biggest problems people have in these modern... Read More

The Truth About Credit

What you might not know about credit.Some people don't know... Read More

What Should I Do If I?ve Become a Victim of Identity Theft?

Identity thieves take advantage of everyday opportunities to discover your... Read More

Debt Collection Agencies

Debt collection agencies are often a viable option for receiving... Read More

Secured Credit Cards- Consumer Tips

Whether you have no credit or damaged credit, secured credit... Read More

Ways to Look Good without Selling Your Soul to the Credit Card Sharks

1. Buy clothes at thrift stores. BEFORE you buy them,... Read More

Free Credit Reports Now Available From the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has set up a new... Read More

Credit Trap: What They Dont Tell You About Credit Cards In College

In industrialized nations, going into debt starts early. It's easy... Read More