Sometimes itâs useful to adopt a nautical perspective. Like waves in the ocean, life presents a constant stream of big and little issues. Occasionally, as with wind-blown sea swells, those problems loom larger the longer they persist.
Pat Shieldâs consumer dilemma totaled out at roughly $260. Though a relatively small sum, it grew larger each month. That concerned the 83-year-old, who lives on a fixed income in Roanoke County and values her credit score.
To Shields, the issue seemed insurmountable. She tried to cancel her DirecTV satellite television service herself, but for five months got nowhere. So she mailed a handwritten plea to this newspaper.