Instant Gratification in a Digital World

Recently I was recommended by the woman I do research work for, to another woman to do some extra web work. The work was simple, I just needed to to make a few e-files and write a summary or two for the files and I was done. Simple right? Of course it was not to mention I was getting paid 35/hr. So I did 13hrs of work which added up to $455 dollars. It was great!! I finished the work on Wednesday and she said would send the check that same day( she lives in New Mexico).

Its Monday and no check, I had already factored the funds into my budget for this month so I needed it to make rent. I decided to send her a quick email. She replied within minutes,it turned out she had actually sent the check on Friday,but if I needed it right away we could use PayPal. Now me never having used PayPal, I was a bit reluctant. However I was more concerned about rent being paid and cellphone not being turned off, so I opted for PayPal. Mind you while setting up my now defunct PayPal account,I had this feeling that maybe the check would probably come today and I should just be patient,but my worries over rent being paid won out. And besides I'd get my money right away,right?

PayPal account is all set-up,I receive an email notification that I had money in my account. I was so excited, I couldn't wait to get my $455,so I switched from my facebook page to my PayPal account,and there it is my $455. I click on confirm transfer, still so excited that I was getting paid $455 for 13hrs of simple work,that allowed me to be on facebook and on Young Black and Fabulous at the same time, it was done. And then the page reloaded and I noticed it, $441.50 has been transferred into your account, it should be available to you by the 30th of April. WHAT?!!! $441.50, April 30th!!!

Now I'm sure all of you can imagine my surprise and understand my mere disappointment. What had happen here, the purpose of PayPal was to receive money instantly right,and it was free, at least that what the website had said. For those of you that are like me and don't use PayPal, you should know that anytime you are sent money, PayPal takes 2.9% of it. So I'm really upset that they short-changed me $14 and I won't get my money for another two days depending on my bank. Now me not having read the fine print, I call PayPal to ask them where my money is and why its short $14 dollars. And of course they explain to me why I'm short $14 dollars and why its going to take that long to get my money.

I hang up the phone defeated,and wishing I had just waited for the check to come since she had already sent it. I knew when I was setting up that PayPal account that I would probably get it within the next day or so,but our need(ok my greed) for INSTANT GRATIFICATION IN A DIGITAL WORLD got the best of me. What made matters even worse for me was that I got the check in the mail that day!!!

You see folks I'm not mad that I got my money two days later and $14 dollars short, I'm mad because I was consumed with greed. Why was I consumed with greed because, and yes I will blame it on society, this digital world has made everything available at the tip our fingers,thus reducing any kind of patience we may have had,and conned us into to thinking its free,when really folks just like you and I, the digital world needs to make its MONEY as well.