credit, iPad, kindle, money, shopping

Are you Selling your Soul?

Lani Young

                             Imaginary money is falling from the sky. And I just have to catch it.
I am not an economist. Or an accountant. Which is why I am very excited to tell you that I know why the world economy collapsed. I know why there’s a recession. I know why so many international banks fell to bits. Its all clear to me now…

The world’s financial status is going to shit because today I bought an iPad. A Kindle e-reader. And new earphones for my iPod. Without paying a single cent. 
You got it. No money, no debit card, nothing. I didn’t have to chop my arm off. Give them the keys to my car. Or flash them with my brilliant ass-ets   smile. All I had to do was show some identification. Tell them how much the Hot Man earns. Sign a form. And that was it. No deposit, no evidence, no references, no nothing. I went in the store to buy new earphones for my lousy iPod and walked out of there with electronic gadgets galore. I’m still in shock. Those people didn’t know me from a basket of coconuts. How in heck could they know if I was telling big fat lies? I could have told them the Hot Man brought in a rollicking six figures every week, drove it home in a silver Mustang, showering me with diamond-laden love – and they would have believed me. I could have been a smooth talking con artiste, a dole bludging beauty, a Mongrel Mobster specializing in credit-acquired iPads – and they wouldnt have cared. All they wanted was the sale. The slim possibility that maybe, just maybe – I would be able ( and willing) to pay them twenty dollars a week for the next two years.

I have never bought anything on credit before. (Except for a piece of land and that required selling and signing my soul away in blood.) And I most certainly have never met salesmen so eager for me to take their products without handing over any money. “Are you sure you don’t want a flat screen TV with that iPad? How about a new surround sound stereo system? Why not? You havent maxed your credit allowance yet!”  The salesman was like an octopus with tentacles of persuasiveness and I had to battle to get out of there with JUST the iPad (for the Hot Man) and the Kindle ( for me.)

The whole experience was rather troubling. Sellers are that desperate to sell. Buyers are that easily enticed to buy. Its no wonder people are up to their ears in debt. And businesses are going bust everywhere.This no interest, no deposit purchase thing needs to be stopped. This is dire, dreadful, doomsday stuff. Luring people to buy stuff they cant afford. Like Satan promising us eternal youth in exchange for that very minor, small thing called YOUR SOUL. This is bad. Very bad. I’m pondering on these financial dangers of our times…

…as I read a book on my shiny new Kindle. Look! Its got this stunning leather case it fits in – see? And did you know that I can go  anywhere in the world and meander through the Amazon bookstore online? And then buy a book with a tap of my fingers? Let me show you, come on, I’ll race you up the street…stand here by this lamp post, you dont even have to point it at the stars! Click and LOOK there it is! I just bought an e-book. Up there floating around in space somewhere is a Kindle book satellite spaceship thingy. And it can beam me down books in a swamp. On a beach. Dying of thirst in a desert – but you can still buy an e-book. This is a miraculous gadget! I am in love already.  Love it, love it, love it.

Even though I haven’t paid a cent for it.

(And ohmigosh, that salesman said I hadn’t maxed my credit allowance yet. I wonder if i can sneak away to the mall tomorrow without the Hot Man noticing? I hear the spring fashion collections calling my name…)

Published by Lani Young

Lani Young is an international bestselling author of YA fantasy, contemporary romance and literary fiction. The 2018 Pacific Laureate, her work is inspired by the diverse mythology of Oceania and the richness of her cultural heritage as a Samoan / Maori woman.

13 thoughts on “Are you Selling your Soul?”

  1. This is why I don't have a credit card. ^_^Okay, that was a lie; I do, but I only use it for the perks, and I never buy anything with it that I couldn't also buy by cash or debit at that moment.While I think you're right about the credit-based economy contributing, I suspect inflation has also been a major factor.

  2. You may not be an economist. Or an accountant. But you are totally right! And we weren't born consumers, we were nurtured and primed as a society… Oh God don't get me started on this! I'm such a horrible little hippy at heart, it's not funny lol ps. Your kindle sounds delectable. 😉

  3. I know I should care about the world's financial crisis which is the point of your post but all I can think about is that I'm so jealous you have a new kindle and I want one!!!! Clearly I'm one of those deplorable people who uses way too much credit. I agree with you Lani. This monster needs to be stopped.

  4. You make an excellent point…it's scary how easily you can get into debt, without trying. On the bright side, now you have a Kindle and be in love with it like I'm in love with mine. I let it sleep next to me sometimes…

  5. Carradee – I'll have to take your word for it, I dont know what inflation is!LIliddona i have a feeling that the world needs way more 'horrible hippies'! LOLLan and Paige – I do. LOVE LOVE LOVE my kindle. I want to invent reasons to go places just so i can take it with me and read it. And yes, i take it to bed with me, LOL

  7. I have obviously missed so much while I was away from blog! You have hit on my two deep abiding loves- spending money I don't have and the kindle (the kindle often gets dark jealous looks from the love of my life, that's how much time I spend with it). The Kindle has the added bonus of helping with the first love, beware when you can buy books anywhere!!!

  8. It's a pity you don't have a donate button! I'd without a doubt donate to this outstanding blog! I suppose for now i'll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.Talk soon!My page – quick cash Loans

  11. Hello, Neat post. There is a problem together with your web site in web explorer, may test this? IE nonetheless is the market chief and a big component to other people will leave out your excellent writing due to this problem.My web page > ways to Earn Extra money

Comments are closed.