Paper money was replaced by credit cards

In the supermarket this week the past was brought back to me rather vividly. The woman ahead of me was also a senior citizen, and she was carefully counting out her money, right down to the last two copper coins. I was surprised to see someone paying with real money, not a credit card.

Back in 1950, when credit cards were first becoming part of the financial scene, the Diner's Club was one of the very first. I was interested to try out this new method of paying for just about everything, not just a single department store's bills, as had been the case with the old metal charge plates that many of you must remember. I thought it would be much safer than carrying a lot of money around.

We set out on an Easter trip from Philadelphia to Ft. Lauderdale, armed with this newfangled credit card. We stayed in a hotel directly across from the beach, The Lauderdale Biltmore, which we became very fond of over the years. We enjoyed the amenities, including the cocktail lounges, the coffee shop, and the beauty salon, all on the card.

When we left for home, the staff made a big deal of our departure. Best of all, we were not presented with a bill at check-out. It was not until a month later that we received the bill by mail at home. It was THAT new feature that made credit cards, or at least our Diner's Club card, a favorite.

These days, there are so many cards that it is difficult to choose among them, and they are so easy to get, but at the time, especially as a young couple, we enjoyed feeling like royalty. Over the years there have been many changes, and the most mundane of purchases are now made with credit cards - all the things we used to pay for with plain old folding money: they can even be used at a dollar store.

You remember money, don't you? It's green and looks like paper... let's see, where did I put my sixth credit card now? I guess the old song says it best - "Those were the days, my friend..."

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If you've attended The Senior Follies in former years, I know I don't have to coax you to go. "TV Variety Shows" is the theme, and this year's shows will be on the first weekend of April at the Jean and Paul Amos Studio on the PJC main campus, located at 1000 College Blvd. in Pensacola.

Each year our local seniors astound us with their myriad talents. You will be glad to see that we seniors still 'have it.' (Well, some of us do.)

It's only $10 a ticket, and proceeds support various programs to benefit the elderly. Call 453-3016 for tickets.

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Do you have low vision - you are not totally blind, still have some useful vision, but have difficulty seeing well? Well, there is a group for you called the Florida Council for Citizens with Low Vision (FCCLV), a special interest section of the Florida Council for the Blind. Membership dues are $20 per year. If you would like more information about this program, call 727-937- 8631, or write to 237 Medical Avenue, Palm Harbor, FL34684.

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With spring here and the baseball season heating up, I can't help but recall what one sports-minded wag had to say - "Think about this! No one ever says "It's only a game" when his team is winning."

See you next week!