How Far Would You Go to Avoid Paying A Bill?

What lengths would you go to in order to avoid paying a bill you know you owe?  Would you change your name and move; flee the country; go to jail?

I admit there have been times when I opened a credit card bill and started daydreaming about winning big in the lottery, or having a rich uncle suddenly appear on my doorstep with a huge check in hand, or hoping that ancient artifacts or an oil well would be found in my backyard that would net me a tidy sum.  Yeah, not very realistic right?

But I have never entertained the idea of becoming a fugitive or going to jail to get rid of bills, but apparently things like that aren’t all that improbable for some people.

Here’s my case in point.  Last week I overheard 2 girls talking about tax refunds and tickets (speeding tickets not concert tickets) while they were in an adjoining dressing room at a clothing store and they were talking loud.  I think everyone in the entire store could hear them so I don’t feel guilty about listening to them.  I would have had to start singing to not hear them and believe me, nobody wants to hear me sing.

Anyway, one of the girls (I’ll call her girl #1) said she was hoping to receive her tax refund of $400 the next day.

The other girl (girl #2) suggested she use some of it to buy the clothes she was trying on and liked.

Girl #1 said she needed all of it to pay for her tickets.

Girl #2 suggested asking for a payment plan so the clothes could still be purchased

Girl #1 said, “No, I’m going to pay them while I have the money.”  (smart girl).

Girl #2 then said “Why not just sit in jail.  They’ll take $30 a day off your tickets.”

Girl #1 had the good sense to not answer – well maybe there was an eye roll or gesture I couldn’t see.

Okay, is it just me or is it insane to even entertain the idea of sitting in jail for 24 hours just to earn $30 off a ticket from the police?  I’m on a tight budget, just like a lot of other people, but there’s a whole lot of other stuff I would give up before I’d give up my freedom!

What about you?  What would you be willing to do (or have done) to get rid of a bill without paying it?

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