Hidden Costs

by Cheryl Merrick

Encouraged by glib assurances of
“You can afford it.”
“Your family deserves it” and
“Besides it will increase in value”,
they sign the contract for the luxury home.

As the years pass, the “hidden costs”
begin to appear.

Feeling the pressure of the large debt,
both parents work long hours to make the payments.
Now, as they feel the strain in their marriage,
and see their neglected children begin to stray,
they wish they had never signed the contract
with all the “hidden costs”.