One often hears when it comes to personal finances to have "experiences" rather than to accumulate "stuff". I recently had an experience that I don't think anyone really wants to have. After 46 years of nothing but a single speeding ticket, I was arrested and spent about six hours in jail.
I was handcuffed, placed in a patrol car, and transported to the local police station. After sitting on the Group W bench while the paperwork was completed, I was loaded back into the patrol car and driven to the county jail for booking. At the county jail I was "read my rights", patted down, and fingerprinted (no ink involved). Before placing me in a holding cell with 30 other guys, the jailers took my shoes and my belt. "We don't want any hangings."
To make a long story short, as this was my first (alleged) offense and it was a misdemeanor, I was released on my own recognicance after 5-6 hours. The court hearing has been put off until December.
You might ask what this has to do with personal finance. I've learned a few things from this experience.
Two things that you can't put a price on are your health and your freedom.
Anger can be very expensive.
A holding tank levels the socio-economic field
Your career and more importantly your reputation can be ruined with one bad decision
Jailbird
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:47 pm
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:40 pm 1191454830
But you are absolutely right: Health and freedom are those rare things that you can not put a price on.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:04 am 1191456273
I'm sorry you had to go through that. I hope it all works out well for you.
October 4th, 2007 at 12:51 am 1191459075
October 5th, 2007 at 04:04 pm 1191600250
It made me think that if you allow your anger to get out of control with any kind of law enforcement, you'd better be careful becus things can quickly spiral out of control. And for the average law-abiding person, a loss of freedom can be a real wake-up call, i guess. It's scary.