MAKING MY WISHES CLEAR

The New York Times is another of the media outlets beating the endless drum of gloom and doom on the economy. However, they did find a bright spot. Here they talk about companies that pursue debt collections against the deceased. These are mostly personal debts, so that for the most part the living are not obligated to pay. But apparently they do.

“You get to be the person who cares,” the training manager, Autumn Boomgaarden, told a class of four new hires.

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But sentiment also plays a large role, the agencies say. Some relatives are loyal to the credit card or bank in question. Some feel a strong sense of morality, that all debts should be paid. Most of all, people feel they are honoring the wishes of their loved ones.

Indeed. The person who cares. Your deceased relative is gone, but they owe $300 on a credit card. Don't you think they would want you to pay that off? Do you think they will be able to rest easily in eternal peace if Citibank is out $300?

Let's be very, very clear about my wishes. If I am dead and I owe an f-ing credit card company money, it is NOT to be paid. That 12.5% to 22% interest rate they charged to carry the balance that I apparently died with makes us more than even. Good grief.