Debit or Credit?

Just a quick funny that Mary Alice said to me last night...


First some background information....

I use my debit card a lot. It is much easier than using checks or cash. Mary Alice sometimes says things like, "Do you want me to get your "credit" card?" at the gas station. She will often refer to it as my "credit" card, which I find troubling. I don't want her to buy into today's mentality of buy now, pay later or learn poor money managing habits because of my use of a debit card.

I respond to her by giving a thorough explanation of the difference between a debit and a credit card. I tell her that a debit card is when you use your own money and a credit card is when you're using someone else's money. I also take care to emphasize whose money I am using whenever I use my debit card. I might say something like, "I am now going to use my debit card. That means I'm using my own money. They are taking my own money right out of our bank." All of these details..... You may be wondering when this story will ever end????? The point is, she is familiar with the word "debit" and it's connection with real money.

Now, (the much shorter)real story.


So... Last night, Mary Alice came up to me and sat in my lap. She looked up at me and matter-of-factly stated, "Mom, Jesus paid the "debit" that we could never pay!"