Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-02
EVERYMAN'S CREDIT
RY LEWIS SINCLAIR GRIGSBY
Assistant Secretary Associated Retail
Credit Men of Washington.


Ouite often we find the individual
who is overburdened with too much
credit. The man or woman who let's
old man debt" ride merciiessly on
| tired. aching shoulders. Who never
gains a moments surceaSe from Wor-
ry and embarra ssment. The man or
woman who carelessly overbought just
because the merchandise was attrac-
tive and the price was right. IL Is SO
easy to become accursed to ones SELF
in a, credit way. How many persons
have not said at one time or another,
what a relief it would be If l were
only out of debt" And yet the bur
den of proof is upon you. You are
taking the genii of the lamp and MAX
ing a slave driver of him by forcing
needless burdens upon yourself.
The effect of too much credit is
tremendous. A we'll recognized factor
of credit is Capital" and if you have
overbought beyond you'd liquid capital,
YOU are, indeed, in a sad predicament
Again, if you have sought and OBJ
tanned too much credit beyond your
capacity" to learn and pay, you have
hypothetical this months earnings to
pay the bills of the months to come.
The deterioration of your credit
standing is bound to follow. This de-
cline may be serious and without
proper attention develop into a posi-
tive suspension Of credit. Then it be-
comes your unpleasant task to pay
out as best you can, wipe the slate
clean and start all over again to es-
tablish yourself in the confidence of
those with whom You deal.
1T is so much better to look ahead
and not let good judgment he guided
by fancy. OF course, we find heauti-
full articles on every hand; of course.
we would like to have more money on
our person, but even SO. we cannot go
in the open market and overindulge;
neither can we so to our banker and
overdraw. There is Il distinct line of
demarcation that plainly shows just
how much credit we should have at
given time and each individual should
set up such q line. 1t is folly to over
shoot the mark, and unfortunately in
this case this haphazardness is visited
upon our families in addition to our
selves.
The man who overloads his ac-
counts is decidedly unfair 10 the wife
who appreciates the courtesy and serv-
ice in buying small household items
on charge account. The woman
who purchases luxurious garments is
not playing the game with the con-
scientious husband who makes every
effort to preserve his reputation in
the community.
TO each of us is given. upon reach
ing our majority. clean slate with
a rating of 100 per cent. This is our
credit capital. Our subsequent ac-
tions will record on this imaginary
record the diligence with which we
have carried clear record through
life. Every mark. every blot on the
panel, is made by ourselves. You
make your own credit record, regard
less of environment, heredity, caste or
class. Your father may or may not
have paid his bills. 1t is up to you to
pay yours.
In seeking this service beyond COM
pare from the purveyors of mer-
chandise let us first of all play fair
with ourselves and then act accord
ingly.
Do not ask for too much credit.
And if you find you are unconsciously
becoming involved snap into it and
lay plans for strict curtailment of
your buying until the horizon is fair
and weather clear. And it may be
said, in passing, that so to do re-
quires plenty of snap. But there we