Better to go to bed hungry than to wake up in debt. — Proverb
The other day, I opened an envelop addressed to my business and was stunned at what I saw.
A check for $48,000.
Say, wha?
Yep, I had to look again.
And again.
But there it was — $48,000, all for me!
Visions of a new car, time off to finish writing my novel, a much-needed vacation, and all sorts of fun things flew through my mind.
Until I recalled that when something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
So I read the fine print.
And learned this was a solicitation.
For a loan.
The company making the offer assured me I could buy equipment, hire employees, advertise, and more, so long as it was business-related.
Okay. I can still use it for things like new computers, new office furniture, maybe some classes in coding.
But wait. Nobody is going to just give away money, right?
Well, these folks sure aren’t.
They want me to pay them back from my future sales.
What happens if there are no future sales? What happens if I sell the business before the loan is paid back? What happens if I use the money to buy a pair of diamond earrings??
They’ll probably haul me to jail.
Grrr.
Nope, I don’t think so.
I won’t hog-tie my business — or myself — like that.
So thanks, but no thanks.
I’m putting this solicitation into the shredder, where it belongs.
And remembering this wise saying:
Never spend your money before you have it. ~Thomas Jefferson
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
Pah! I was all excited for you, there. The absolute buggers,
Imagine the gall — tempting me like that and toying with my dreams!
The beasts!
Ain’t it the truth?!!
Wow, I get those checks too! No doubt a loan shark scam, but fun to dream a bit about what we could do with that check.. So many possibilities. . .
You, too? Hmm, wonder if they actively seek out small business owners. I agree that dreaming is nice, but something tells me I’ll trust myself to make those dreams come true, rather than relying on loan shark money!
I love putting that kind of stuff into the shredder.
It’s a nice feeling, huh, John? Watching all those tempting words split into a million strips??!
Not to mention the thousands of dollars
Ouch!
Take it, buy a massive stash of chocolate, then change your name and go into hiding… we won’t tell! 😉
Ooh, what an interesting idea! Hiding has a mystery about it, and everything’s bound to go better with a stash of chocolate!!
Imagine that! You should send them back a bum check for $100,000.
HaHa, great suggestion! The only problem is, some lawyer somewhere would probably find me guilty of something and the courts would make me pay up. Would you like their address so you can cut them a check for me?!?
Sure thing. But if they do that to me, I shall blow them up, you know.
Ooh, let me help!!
The shredder has been overworked recently. Sorry you didn’t get the cheque but we know there’s no such thing as a free lunch or free money. Too bad Debbie.
Sad but true, Judith. ‘Tis one of the realities we learn in life — no free money. Best to learn that lesson sooner, rather than later, though!
I like fiction fun’s idea with the chocolate. And I love the money quotes. One of my favorites? Neither a lender nor a borrower be. I’ve seen the bad side of both. Just living on less than I earn works best and not borrowing to family or friends.
I heartily agree about not borrowing from family or friends, Barb. Things have a way of happening, and the last thing anybody needs is to be on outs with loved ones!
Well, that’s a new one. I did finally get a letter from the Nigerian prince, promising that he had something like &100K for me, and only needed me to send along two grand for him to get the full sum to me. I was so thrilled — all my friends had been hearing from him for years, and I was feeling neglected.
I did find a $5 in a parking lot once. I snatched it right up, looked around, and there was no one in sight. I figured it was my sole life experience of found money, and bought myself lunch. (It was a LONG time ago!)
I think I’ve heard from that Nigerian prince, too — what a laugh, Linda! I’m glad you no longer feel neglected — surely, if he’d known, he’d have sent you his letter way before now!
I don’t blame you one iota for keeping the $5 you found! I mean, how many of us look at serial numbers on paper money? So nobody could attest that it belonged to them, right?? I’m pretty adept at finding money (especially in my dreams!). A hocus-pocus person would have a field day with me, ha! That said, the largest sum I found was also in a parking lot — sometimes it comes in handy to keep one’s head down!!
Good call… it’s hard for peace and debt to coexist. (For the first time in 12 years I have credit card debt…. I know it’s temporary but I still don’t like it. ) It did get me thinking though about how you could claim diamond earrings as a business expense on your tax return… good luck with that, haha.
What? You don’t think diamond earrings would fly as a business expense, Janna? Aw, c’mon, you know sparkly things like that make a lady feel better, and a lady who feels good is bound to do amazing things running her own business, right??!
$48k? Sounds like a scam. That’s how they get you. Thank heavens for shredders! 🙂
Scammers are GOOD, aren’t they, Monica? Tempting up with all sorts of reasons to do exactly what we shouldn’t. I love my shredder, and it gets “fed” regularly!!