That has always been my battle cry. “Charge!” I shouted, while waving my American Express card above my head like a flag around which the troops could rally. I have said it in shopping malls, grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants across the United States. I have had more credit cards than Carter had Little Liver Pills.
[Note: Are you wondering, "Who was Carter, and why did he have so many pills?" You can read about this "old time" medicine in Time Magazine.]
Not any more, my friends! I keep one credit card in case of dire emergencies, but all the rest have been sliced and diced and thrown in the trash. I’m going back to the values of my forebears. Actually, I’m not descended from bears, but from apes, but I don’t think that “forapes” is a word.
Sorry. My train of thought got derailed.
What I mean to say, is that if I don’t have the cash to buy it, I’m going to do just what my ancestors would have done and wait until I have the dollars in hand.
Uh oh. I spoke too soon. Look what I found when I was searching through family memorabilia.
My aunt enjoyed her credit cards, too ... it seems.
Here is the flip side of my Aunt LaVerta’s “Charga-plate,” which probably dates from the early 1940s, since it was before she married.
Flip side of her charge plate.
Yes, these tiny metal plates, which are about the size of dog tags, were the first credit cards. While it was wonderful to find one of these in my stash, I won’t be leaving behind any plastic cards for my descendants to treasure. With luck, I won’t leave any unpaid bills either.
Related posts:
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s cool! I never saw this type of thing before. I thought the first charge cards were from a specific store, like Sears Roebuck or Montgomery Wards.
I can tell that back in the early 1970’s, when I was just starting out to raise a family, we’d go to the local grocery store and they would have checks from the local bank on the counter. We could just fill one out, with our account number and the amount of the groceries, a little extra for some cash as change, and tender them without having ID or cash or any card in our wallets.
Like the decorations with popcorn and cranberries, the good old days I guess.
Peace.
Spadoman´s last blog ..Dream Catchers, Gourd Rattles and Hand Drums
Probably the first ones WERE from specific stores, but my Aunt LaVerta was a shopaholic. I never heard of having your checks at grocery store counter! Joe, I think that we have marked ourselves as “old fogeys.”
What a find Shelly and good luck with you mission to stop using CC.
janeywan´s last blog ..The Wave
I haven’t used a credit card but once this year (and it was to reserve a hotel room). I decided that having any debt like that was just plain stupid, with all the changes credit card companies are making. I haven’t canceled the cards, because that lowers the credit scores, I’m told, but I’ve cut up the doggone plastic!
With any luck someone collects those antique charge A Plates and you will be able to afford to go shopping without your card.
Jamie´s last blog ..Children Go Where I Send Thee
Oh, girl! I’m sure someone does collect them, but could I sell my Aunt LaVerta’s charge plate? I don’t think so.
God bless good ol’ Aunty LaVerta. That’s the kewlest thing I’ve seen in a long time. BTW…my dear, it’s me again, FairyKate. Not sure how to give you my email address except through a blog comment, so if you have time, write me directly at mailto:ThoseMomentsThatMatter@gmail.com
It’s been fun to see how many comments you are getting on your blog. I recognize the names of most of the people even the ones who din’t say I sent them. Gggrin! Talk at ya’ll later iffen you have time to come see me at “TMTM” email addy above.
Thanks, Kate. I appreciate the folks you have sent my way.
This is really cool. I had no idea there was such a thing. I love the leather case.
My charge card does not get such care, it gets thrown in the zipper pocket of my purse…for easy access. We use our charge cards for most of our purchases. It is easy for me to keep track of our spending. At the beginning of the month I just put the amount allowed on the card – when the money is gone it is gone.
I pay the card off every month so there is not interest. We also like the rewards and treat ourselves to a trip.
Thanks Shelly,
Sheila
Sheila Atwood´s last blog ..21 Lessons I Learned In 2009 That Gave Me The Greatest Return On My Investment
The charge cards I have don’t have a “reward” system. My reward is not to use them in the first place!
I just love that you were able to find that old credit card. I had no idea that such a thing even existed. Thank you for sharing.
“Able to find” it is the key, Deirdre.
My house is a storage unit for all my family treasures and they get buried easily!