When someone is literally taking your blood, it is advisable to be as agreeable as possible and not challenge their lifestyle values. Learn from this tale and save the financial evangelizing for another day:
The first thing the phlebotomist said as she wrapped the tourniquet around my arm was, "I have such a craving for chocolate."
"Okay," I replied, thinking this was her tactic to distract the patient from eyeing the needle. Not necessary, but appreciated. I have had my fair share of blood draws over the years, and am not bothered much by this anymore.
She continued, "I'm going to make my husband buy me some after this. Milk chocolate, mmm! This day is taking forever though. Were there many patients in the fitting room after you?"
I shook my head mutely, watching as she inserted the needle. Alright, maybe not a calming tactic.
Showing posts with label addiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label addiction. Show all posts
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
The Real Cost of Powerball
First Bandit. Where should he have this
gold? It is some poor fragment, some
slender ort of his remainder.
The mere want of gold, and the falling-from
of his friends, drove him into this
melancholy.
$1.6 billion dollars. It's tempting, to say the least, even after taxes. People are playing all over the country. It's only $2-$3 a pop, right? How harmful could it be?
Powerball draws began on October 7, 2015. Winning numbers are drawn twice a week, every Wednesday and Saturday. Your chances of winning are one in 292.2 million. For a frame of reference, there are only 318.4 million people in the United States. That's nearly 15 weeks of drawings, or 29-30 including this past Wednesday and this Saturday's. That would be 30 x $3 (to maximize the jackpot) = $90.00 so far.
On the outside, that seems like a good investment. Okay, but if I do win then it was worth it. That's not a terrible amount of money over that much time, especially if my loss was far less because I am part of a group pool.
Think about what $90.00 would have gotten you. Groceries. An additional charitable (and tax-deductible) donation. A few more trips to the gas station. Less stress in paying the bills. Maybe a little more money in emergency savings.
People gamble because they have hope that a magic financial wand will get them out of a rut or change their lives forever. People treat the game with equal parts reverence and superstition. It's a mire of hope and desperation fueled by belief in Lady Luck rather than a rigged system settled on behavioral psychology meant to keep you spending (and losing). I know this repetitive refrain all too well. After all, I was raised by gamblers. Winning the Powerball would certainly "solve" a lot of financial problems people have, or not.
Well, I think you're being too harsh, you might argue, gambling is a hobby of mine- not an addiction.
It could all very well be harmless infrequent fun, but if you are letting financial responsibilities fall to the wayside in order to play Powerball (especially if that is only one of many lottery tickets in your pocket), then a re-evaluation of priorities is in order. Because as long as collection agencies are calling or bills are due, being "in it to win it" is a poor financial strategy. It will not get you out of a mess. Playing the lottery will only keep you in the red.
And if you're not in the red, trust me - many more gambling addicts are being made from this fervor over Powerball than not.
If you or a loved one is addicted to gambling, support can be found at Gamblers Anonymous, gam-anon.org.
- William Shakespeare, Timon of Athens
$1.6 billion dollars. It's tempting, to say the least, even after taxes. People are playing all over the country. It's only $2-$3 a pop, right? How harmful could it be?
Powerball draws began on October 7, 2015. Winning numbers are drawn twice a week, every Wednesday and Saturday. Your chances of winning are one in 292.2 million. For a frame of reference, there are only 318.4 million people in the United States. That's nearly 15 weeks of drawings, or 29-30 including this past Wednesday and this Saturday's. That would be 30 x $3 (to maximize the jackpot) = $90.00 so far.
On the outside, that seems like a good investment. Okay, but if I do win then it was worth it. That's not a terrible amount of money over that much time, especially if my loss was far less because I am part of a group pool.
Think about what $90.00 would have gotten you. Groceries. An additional charitable (and tax-deductible) donation. A few more trips to the gas station. Less stress in paying the bills. Maybe a little more money in emergency savings.
People gamble because they have hope that a magic financial wand will get them out of a rut or change their lives forever. People treat the game with equal parts reverence and superstition. It's a mire of hope and desperation fueled by belief in Lady Luck rather than a rigged system settled on behavioral psychology meant to keep you spending (and losing). I know this repetitive refrain all too well. After all, I was raised by gamblers. Winning the Powerball would certainly "solve" a lot of financial problems people have, or not.
Well, I think you're being too harsh, you might argue, gambling is a hobby of mine- not an addiction.
It could all very well be harmless infrequent fun, but if you are letting financial responsibilities fall to the wayside in order to play Powerball (especially if that is only one of many lottery tickets in your pocket), then a re-evaluation of priorities is in order. Because as long as collection agencies are calling or bills are due, being "in it to win it" is a poor financial strategy. It will not get you out of a mess. Playing the lottery will only keep you in the red.
And if you're not in the red, trust me - many more gambling addicts are being made from this fervor over Powerball than not.
If you or a loved one is addicted to gambling, support can be found at Gamblers Anonymous, gam-anon.org.
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