As I look forward into 2014 I think to myself, who shall I screw over this year. The thought has been striking me with increasing regularity how people claim that some of the things I do are, shall we say, not quite Kosher. But at the same time, I see these people themselves doing things that I find distasteful, especially in light of their holier than thou attitude.
Looking forward into 2014 I think I will review what I consider ‘OK’ and not and see if I can increase my Karmic Net Worth somewhat in the process.
The Government
I think it is wrong to intentionally abuse government subsidies for our own betterment. But, I also believe in getting my ‘fair share’ so I am all for advanced tax strategies that increase the money I retain, but I wouldn’t be seeking to quit my job, stop paying taxes, and live on some savings supported by the Affordable Care Act and Social Security, unlike those Moustachians…
Interestingly, the reason I think it is wrong to do that is not because of moral high ground, it is because I think being reliant on welfare is a weak and impoverished decision to make, and that the more people who intentionally quit work to mooch from it the faster it will collapse around them.
Small Businesses
I will continue to screw them over by opting to pay by credit card rather than cash, sorry folks I do appreciate your efforts but the incentive remains there to pay by card so I will do so. However, I will not abuse loopholes in their promotions such as using a credit to get a bottle of wine from them at a loss to their company, because that would certainly help drive them out of business and make people unemployed.
Large Corporations
I will happily screw these guys over for my own betterment, by which I mean I will maximize credit card rewards, and shop using as many coupons and kickbacks as I can find. I won’t try to abuse refund policies or other loopholes to benefit from them.
One new rule for 2014
No more justification. If I am going to intentionally screw someone over it is because I want to. I am not going to sit there and find a justification for it, because that’s just silly. Try it out, it’s very empowering, next time you plan to take advantage of a mistake airline fare and say it’s OK because the airline took away beverages, or has a crappy internet booking system or whatever else, just save your breath, we all know its a load of nonsense and you are just screwing them over, go ahead and enjoy that ticket, guilt free, you dirty rat.
Who do you plan to screw over for the New Year, does your tolerance for benefiting from others increase in a linear fashion as the distance from the person you are screwing over, or are you OK with doing whatever it takes to get ahead in the game?
Interesting post. I will admit that the BRG stays we had in Vegas had me feeling just a tad guilty. I broke no laws, bent no company policies, and was a model guest. I tweeted about how much I liked the hotel and will complete their followup survey. But I did feel a bit like I was taking advantage….
I was sharing info about how we did our Vegas trip with a friend yesterday who said, “What, did you spend about $350 a night or so?” and his comment when he heard it cost $120+ total for the hotel was to laugh and say “you’re quite an operator!” Little does he know that I am a very little operator in this game we play. While I prefer to think I am not “screwing” any companies – not my favorite terminology – I expect I will continue to feel just a tad guilty as I continue to accumulate points in 2014. But not enough to cut up my credit cards!
You are starting to sound like quite the operator there Elaine… maybe 2014 will see you becoming one of the Sharks 🙂
I won’t screw anyone over. I will, however, gladly accept whatever gifts the marketing genii at our nation’s large retail financial institutions and travel providers offer up, along with lots of deeply discounted Delta tickets. I make a point to try to bless the lives of others I come in contact with and don’t need to apologize for allowing others to do the same for me 🙂
You are a Prince among men Kenny, glad to see you spreading the blessings!