Thin Envelopes

You've stepped out into the adult world, eyes wide open.

You have successfully made the move out of your parents basement into your own killer pad. Opportunities are abound. You sign up for the necessities of life, phone, hydro and power. Other offers come rolling in, they arrive in the form of cable, cell phones and credit cards. The offers are too enticing to resist so you eagerly sign up. The world is now your oyster.

Monday is no longer meatloaf night and the instant noodles of college are a thing of the past. You can now eat whatever you want. Anytime you want. You do. Life rocks.

You take your new responsibilities seriously. Your first credit cards arrive. Three in total, all with $5,000 limits. The possibilities are endless. You take a pledge - No impulse shopping - No use in bars.

You sure look good on that Caribbean beach in your designer clothes sipping an exotic beverage.

Mail day comes. The envelopes are thick. Your new friends love you. Inside the thick envelopes comes thrilling offers, more trips, more clothes and more drinks. You indulge.

Several more months pass. Your minimum balances grow. Your income doesn't. You consolidate.

Bonus - you get to keep the cards. You renew your previous pledge.

You find yourself on The French Rivera. High fashion and wine a beautiful combination.

More time passes. Mail days come and go.

Mail day arrives again. Your box doesn't seem to be as full as it used to be. The quantity of envelopes has remained constant, it is their girth that has changed. In a sense they have 'thinified.' Your new mail no longer contains offers. No more trips - No More Drinks - No More Clothes.

You need a drink. You have it. It doesn't help. So you have two more.

They no longer want just the minimum payment. The love affair is over.

Suddenly the mail stops. Your phone starts to ring. The messages are long and urgent. You must return the calls. You don't. You find yourself eating instant noodles again. You want steak.

You find yourself outside.

Why?

The message: AVOID THIN ENVELOPES

Seed (Lindsay Wincherauk) is a co-author of Seed's Sketchy Relationship Theories - A Guide to the Perils of Dating (How not to become a bar regular). For more information about Seed and the book you may visit http://www.seedenterprises.com , where you will find a wealth of information.