Fixed Income Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

'You are a spendthrift and should budget.
Economize your lifestyle.
And not seek reasons to fuss.
Limit your wants and provide first your needs.
Decrease your appetite,
And this activity will eventually please! '

You don't have a fixed income.
Or live alone.
Do you?

'What does that have to do with me?
All of us in my household,
Eat less meat and dine out infrequently.
And we are able to save an exorbitant amount of money.
Proving we can reduce 'our' excessiveness.
And this I am sure you have not tried.'

You don't have a fixed income.
Or live alone.
Do you?

'There you go!
Trying to compare anchovies with caviar.
And there is quite a difference.'

You don't have a fixed income.
Or live alone.
Do you?

'No I do not!
But if I did,
I certainly would be able to do it better than you.
With far fewer complaints.'