Sometimes a Word Doesn’t Mean What You Think it Does

Sometimes a Word Doesn’t Mean

There are three essential things you need to know about money:

1. Words have power. They may convey emotions that were created when you heard lines like:  Mom always loved you best We the people …

2. Words change. The meanings … and sometimes the spelling! A word can be used one way one day and totally change the next.

3. Words can, and will be used differently, by different people—cultures, genders, and ages. Every profession, law and political organization, businesses large and small, use some of the same terms to talk about money.

Since I am  talking about money today … and just to you … let’s consider two words pertaining to your money: debits and credits.

Your Bank Account

You and your bank look at your bank account from different viewpoints. Let’s say you deposit a $100.  When you make that deposit the bank says it has “credited” your account. When you write a check the bank says it has debited your account.

Your Credit Card 

Let’s say you spend $85 on groceries using your credit card. Your credit card will reflect a debit and in turn creates an asset for the credit card company—a credit to it. In turn, the credit card company must now pay the vendor who the money was collected for BUT, the credit card company gets paid a percentage of the amount collect as its “fee” … a net credit to it.

Remember this about credit cards: For credit card companies, debits increase their assets via credit card processing fees—a HUGE credit that collectively amounts in excess of 160 BILLION dollars a year. That is an OMG!

Merchants view processing credit cards as part of the business. You many have noticed that many are not charging you an “extra amount”—either set or a percentage of your purchase to cover the cost.

If you want to help a merchant out … write a check or pay cash. To HELP YOU OUT, always pay your credit card balance off within 30 days to avoid additional interest charges.

Patricia Lane Williams, CPA has worked with thousands of men and women sounding the warnings. She is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Money: Get It. Save It. Grow It … Before Debt Steals It.
Her website is www.PatWilliamsAuthor.com.

Question do you need a bank account?

Did you answer no? The correct answer is yes. Most employers today make it possible to pay their employees by direct deposits. They make it possible to deposit your check in more than one account dividing it between such accounts as checking, savings, even a pension account. When an organization hires an employee, they have the new recruit fill out a form that says where they want all their money deposited.

At the same time, you may receive a card that you can use at any ATM. You will be asked if it is a credit card or debit card. Always say credit. Why?

Two reasons:

If you touch “debit” the money is immediately taken from your bank account.

If someone gets ahold of your card and you checked “debit” they may be able to clean out your account in seconds.