How do you solve a serious problem like credit card debt?
I was watching videos on YouTube earlier and, funnily enough, I found the most sensible answer to that question in an old comedy sketch aired on Saturday Night Live (SNL).
So how do you not get drowned in credit card debt?
According to this SNL sketch, it’s simple: Do not buy stuff you cannot afford.
It actually makes a lot of sense. Most people end up with piles of credit card debt because, in the first place, they don’t have the money (and probably won’t have the money in the future) enough to pay for whatever they’re supposed to buy.
The sketch, aired in 2006, promises that you can solve your credit card debt if you “only buy things using money you have saved.”
Common sense, indeed, but to a lot of people who have become too dependent on their credit cards, this is a bit difficult to comprehend. Just like the husband and wife in the sketch who were “confused” by that simple proposition.
Here are some more LOL funny but wise lines from the sketch.
Woman: Ok, so what if I want something but I don’t have any money.
Book Author: You don’t buy it.
Man: Well let’s say I don’t have enough money to buy something. Should I buy it anyway?
Book Author: No.
Man: Now I’m really confused!
Man: I think I got it. I buy something I want, and then hope that I can pay for it, right?
Book Author: No. You make sure you have money, then you buy it.
Man: Oh, then you buy it. But shouldn’t you buy it before you have the money?
Book Author: No.
Watch the video and read a complete transcript of the funny, but very insightful, SNL sketch below.
Watch SNL Video: How to solve your credit card debt
Woman: (Balancing checkbook) Ughh.. I just can’t get these numbers to add up.
Man: Like we’re never going to get out of this hole.
Woman: Credit card debt, does it ever end?
Book Author: Maybe I can help.
Man: We sure could use it.
Woman: We’ve tried debt consolidation companies.
Man: We’ve even taken out loans to help make payments.
Book Author: Well, you’re not the only ones. Did you know that millions of Americans live with debt they cannot control? That’s why I developed this unique new program for managing your debt. It’s called “Don’t Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford.”
Woman: Oh, let me see that. “If you don’t have any money, you should not buy anything.” Hmm, sounds interesting.
Man: Sounds confusing.
Woman: I don’t know, honey, this makes a lot of sense. There’s a whole section here on how to buy expensive things using money you “save”.
Man: Give me that. And where would you get this “saved” money?
Book Author: I tell you where and how in Chapter 3.
Woman: Ok, so what if I want something but I don’t have any money.
Book Author: You don’t buy it.
Man: Well let’s say I don’t have enough money to buy something. Should I buy it anyway?
Book Author: No.
Man: Now I’m really confused!
Book Author: It’s a little confusing at first.
Woman: Well what if you have the money, can you buy something?
Book Author: Yes.
Woman: Now take the money away. Same story?
Book Author: Nope. You shouldn’t buy stuff when you don’t have the money.
Man: I think I got it. I buy something I want, and then hope that I can pay for it, right?
Book Author: No. You make sure you have money, then you buy it.
Man: Oh, then you buy it. But shouldn’t you buy it before you have the money?
Book Author: No.
Woman: Why not?
Book Author: It’s in the book. It’s only one page long. The advice is priceless and the book is free.
Wife: Well, I like the sound of that.
Man: Yeah, we can put it on our credit card.
Voice-over: So get out of debt now, write for your free copy of “Don’t Buy Stuff You Cannot Afford.” If you buy now you’ll also receive, “Seriously, If You Don’t Have the Money, Don’t Buy It!” Along with a 12-month subscription to “Stop Buying Stuff Magazine.” So order today!
