Financier

Researching, planning and mapping out a trip for six is one thing. Booking tickets is another.

How does one private person handle finances for five other people? The airline and cruise agents suggested my gathering credit card numbers from each person to book that person's part of the trip; or having each person call with her own information; or putting everything on one credit card.

I didn't feel comfortable asking other people for their credit card numbers. I also knew that having each person call to book her own airline ticket would add extra fees vs. one fee for booking six tickets together. Plus some of the ladies didn't have reliable computer access to receive e-tickets. The ladies responded: "If you're willing to book it all on your card, we'll send you our checks."

I was willing. My question was HOW?

How many people have available a five-digit credit-card-limit balance? Not me: a stay-home mom who manages the house, the kids, the pets, the activities, the bills, the mail...

Flipping through the mail last week, I noticed a credit card solicitation. Usually I throw those envelopes directly in the trash. Who wants to manage more than one card's debt? Right?

What caught my eye on this one was "0% APR for 15 months on purchases" written in bold blue print on the envelope front.

"There's got to be some catch," I thought as I opened the envelope and perused the papers. I called the toll-free number to ask if this REALLY meant I could make purchases, make NO payments until next year and have NO interest charges as long as the full amount I charged to the card is paid in full by that 2009 due date. The agent said, "Yes, ma'am. That's what 0% APR for 15 months means."

"Wow," I said. She took my application information, processed the information and recited my five-digit credit-card limit – just enough to finance a Norway trip for six. I said, "That's a gift from heaven."

Now I felt like a travel agent capable of providing the service of Financier.