In the US
when I wanted to buy something online, I conveniently charged it. (Don't worry;
I'm a compulsive payer who pays even before the statement comes out.) Living in
Australia
now, I just ordered a solar oven from an online store, but there was no charge
option. Instead, the company's bank account was given so I could transfer
the amount due from my bank account to theirs. Not quite as convenient.
But infinitely better. Because with this system, if you don't have the
money, you can't spend it.
Unlike in the US,
where if you don't have the money, you just borrow it from your friendly bank
that's happy to send you a little piece of plastic. Dangerous plastic. When the
statement comes in, you realize that you can't pay it off because, as you
suddenly remember, you don't have the money. So you make a partial
payment. And are charged an excessive rate of interest on the remaining
balance.
As the interest and balance start to go up, you begin making minimum
payments. And use your charge card more often. Then all the time. Then you
start missing payments.
And you know the rest.
In a culture that scoffs at the idea of "living within one's
means" as something one’s grandparents did, where an advertising industry
spends millions of dollars a year to learn the subtleties of how to addict people
to shopping, buying for cash has become an a rarity.
Why is this on a Buddhist blog?
Because the Buddha lived a balanced life, a simple life. A life of
contentment. A life without worry or fear. A life focused on selflessness and
giving, not self-indulgence and instant gratification.
From what I’ve seen, overall, life in Australia
isn’t as convenient as life in the US. And that’s probably a very good thing.