Is it just me or does this subject scare you to death, too? It seems like no matter how tight I draw the purse strings, money falls through my fingers faster than I would like. I’ve never been the best money manager and now I’m in a position where I have to learn what I really should have learned years ago. I’ll admit it…I’ve been a princess in the past and was pampered for far too long. I’ve been on food stamps living in HUD housing and I’ve been a wealthy doctor’s wife. I’ve been everywhere in between so I know I will survive under any conditions because God always provides me with exactly what I need. I’d just like to preserve what I have for as long as I can and leave something to my children and grandchildren. I am blessed…I am grateful. But at times, I get really frustrated…like today.

A few weeks after Mr. Virgo died, I cancelled his cell phone. He was under my account on our family plan. When I cancelled, I received the usual condolences but no one said anything about a Diamond Wireless contract. This is the loss insurance company. Mr. Virgo is the one who got the phone. He signed the papers. But a few weeks after canceling his number I received a letter from an attorney attempting to collect a bad debt. No phone calls, no communication of any kind. I called and they said since I cancelled within 180 days of him receiving the phone, I owed them a cancellation fee of over $500. I calmly explained the situation and they calmly explained to me that they were very sorry for my loss but a contract is a contract and it’s under my name. I took the letter to my attorney and she said she would send a letter and not to pay anything like that.

I thought that was the end of it till last week when I received another letter stating they were offering me a one-time chance of amnesty before they go to the court and put a tax lien on my house. This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve received this threat before from other companies. And to be perfectly honest, it would cost me more in attorney’s fees than to just pay the darned thing and I think they know that. They are also well aware that we, as widows, don’t necessarily have the strength in us to fight these things. It is demoralizing to get a letter such as this. It is frustrating. It’s just one more reminder…”Yeah, well…we’re really sorry but the bottom line is, it’s all about the money.”

I paid it. It pisses me off, but that’s what the life insurance is for. Here it is, a year later and I still have to deal with this stuff. Will it ever be over?