Credit Card Birthday

Fifty years ago this month almost every home in Fresno, CA, received in the mail the plastic fantastic BankAmericard. What came to be known as the "Fresno Drop" is now something else to blame on the U.S. Postal Service. You're addicted. Admit it. Is there a 12-step program for this?

We will never be a cashless society, though some are loath to admit it. I just wish we'd get rid of the penny.

Makes No Cents To Me

The last time the design of the penny was change was 1959 when the Lincoln Memorial was put on the back. Next year the reverse side will feature four new designs: the log cabin of his childhood, Lincoln sitting on his butt on a log reading a book, him unproportionally next to the Illinois Capitol building and a drawing of the U.S. Capitol with a big hole in its dome.

To be succinct, we should just do away with the penny.

And before you get your knickers in a dither, yes it will have "In God We Trust" engraved on it. Somewhere. Just as the dollar coin has it, but most likely not in the same location.

A Hero's Just Reward

You've just saved the life of the richest person in the world. As a reward you're offered $10000 per day for the next 30 days OR a penny the first day to be doubled each day for the next 30 days. Quickly arithmeticing the first offer you realize that the figure will come to $300,000 and you don't believe that your actions warrant such largesse. You therefore accept the second offer of receiving 1¢ the first day, 2¢ the second, 4¢ the third and 8¢ the forth, using the same formula for 30 days. DOG! At the end of the rewardaroni you will have amassed $10,737,418.23. You would be wise to postpone those sky diving lessons.

The Billionaires' Yacht Club

And America's Cup. And $10 million.