The Carbon Copy File: a Ledger supplement by Maureen Pike

SUPPLEMENT 2SPECIMENSTODAY

SPECIMEN CARDS

Four moments, set in type

Every card has the same five boxes. Here are four of them, shortened for this page.

CARD B-1 · ASKED TO LEND

The Same-Answer Rule

Say no once, kindly, and the same way every time.

THE MOMENT: Someone you care about asks to borrow money, and your stomach has already answered.
SAY THIS: “I’m not able to lend it. I can help you find free advice, and I’ll sit with you while you ring.”
IF THEY PUSH: “My answer will be the same tomorrow. I’d rather say so now than keep you waiting.”
ASK FOR: Nothing in writing for a no. If you change your mind and lend, card B-2 has the note you both sign.
IF IT HAS TEETH: If they are in real trouble, free debt help exists: MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice (UK); an NFCC nonprofit credit counselor (US).

CARD C-1 · RENT GOING UP

The News-Not-Notice Rule

Without the figure, the date and the clause, it’s news, not notice.

THE MOMENT: A letter, a text or a word on the stairs: the rent is going up.
SAY THIS: “Thank you for letting me know. Please send me the new amount in writing, with the date it starts and the part of the agreement that allows it.”
IF THEY PUSH: “I’m not refusing. I’m reading. I’ll reply once I have it in writing.”
ASK FOR: The new amount, the start date and the clause that allows it, all in writing.
IF IT HAS TEETH: Don’t stop paying while you check. Before the new date, ask free help which amount to pay. UK: Citizens Advice or Shelter. US: your local tenant rights office.

CARD D-1 · A FEE I DON’T KNOW

The Show-Me Rule

Happy to pay what I agreed. Show me where I agreed to this.

THE MOMENT: A charge on a bill or statement that nobody mentioned.
SAY THIS: “Before I pay this, can you tell me what the fee is for, which line of my agreement allows it, and whether it can be removed?”
IF THEY PUSH: “I’m happy to pay what I agreed to. Show me where I agreed to this.”
ASK FOR: The answer in writing, or the name of the person who gave it.
IF IT HAS TEETH: Complain to the firm in writing first. For a bank, card or loan: the Financial Ombudsman Service (UK) or the CFPB (US). For anything else: Citizens Advice (UK) or your state consumer protection office (US).

CARD E-1 · SOMEONE AT THE DOOR

The Doorstep Rule

Nothing is bought on the doorstep.

THE MOMENT: A friendly stranger on the step, with a clipboard or a leaflet and a very good reason to come in.
SAY THIS: “Thank you, but I don’t buy anything at the door. Please put your company’s name and details through the mail slot, or leave them on the step.”
IF THEY PUSH: “If it’s only good for today, it isn’t for me. Good afternoon.”
ASK FOR: Their name, their company’s name and written details. Nothing signed, nothing paid.

CARBON · KEEP THIS ONE

The top copy goes to them. This one is yours. Afterwards you write down the date, their name and what they said, word for word.

DateNameWhat they said

Four of the file’s cards, shortened for this page. The full file has the rest, with a second push and a note on each. These words buy you time and get things in writing; they can’t promise anyone says yes.

SUPPLEMENT 3HOW TO USETODAY

INSTRUCTIONS

Thirty seconds, then you go in

Find the moment. By tab, or by how it feels: there is an index for that, for the day you can’t name it.
Read SAY THIS aloud, then stop talking. The silence is doing the work.
If they push, use the second line. Then ask for it in writing.
Afterwards, write it down. The date, the name and their words, in the Carbon Book at the back. Print the Carbon edition for a paper set, and cut out the purse cards.

Real pages from the file, shown smaller than life. Tap one to read it large.

SUPPLEMENT 4EDITIONSTODAY

ONE FILE, TWO PRINTINGS

One for the pocket, one for the desk

The same cards, letters and pad, in two shapes
Detail	The Top Copy	The Carbon
Made for	Your phone	Your printer
Shape	Phone-shaped pages, the words you say always on a card’s first screen	A5 pages, white, easy on ink. Prints two-up on A4 or US Letter
Pages	153	92
Best at	Finding the words while the other person is still talking	A paper set on the desk, and purse cards to cut out

Both are bookmarked, with live links from the contents and from every card back to its tab.

SUPPLEMENT 5SITUATIONSTODAY

SITUATIONS, SORTED BY THE MOMENT YOU NEED THEM

Thirty-six cards in six tabs

A In the room

They want an answer now
“It’s just the standard form”
They’re talking over you
The extras at the counter
You want to leave the room
You said yes and you’re having doubts

B Family and friends

Asked to lend, and you’d rather not
Asked to lend, and you will
They haven’t paid you back
Asked to be a guarantor or co-sign
The dinner you can’t afford to split
A friend’s “opportunity”

C Home and rent

The rent is going up
Repairs that keep not happening
Getting your deposit back
A holding fee, today
The roommate who hasn’t paid their share
Buying: the survey or inspection found a problem

D Bills and fees

A fee I don’t know
The renewal price jumped
They won’t let you cancel
Charged after you canceled
Asking for your money back
A bill you can’t pay this month

E Being sold to

Someone at the door
A call about your bank, money or pension
Someone wants your PIN, card or login
The hot tip
The upgrade in monthly payments
The discount for deciding now

F Work and pay

Asked to work for free
An invoice is late
Your pay is wrong
More work, same pay
A new contract at work
Expenses you’ve paid yourself

At the back

Openers. Eight ways to go first.
Twelve letters, ready to send.
The Telephone Pad.
The Seven Lines.
Purse cards to cut out.

SUPPLEMENT 6TYPING POOLTODAY

AI image

By Maureen Pike, 79. Once a 1960s typist. Maureen is an AI character; the habits are real.

Why a carbon copy

I started out typing other people’s contracts. The careful ones all did the same three things: asked for it in writing, took it home to read, and kept a copy.

This file is my carbon copy for you.

If they won’t explain it, don’t sign it.

SUPPLEMENT 7QUERIESTODAY

ANSWERS, WITHOUT BYLINES

Notes and queries

Who dictated this?

I did, though I’m an AI character, made to teach the paperwork. The words in the file are written to be read and said out loud by real people.

Is it from a lawyer?

No. It’s education about wording and paperwork, not financial advice, and not legal or tax advice either. If your situation is serious, take it to free help: MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice in the UK, a nonprofit NFCC credit counselor in the US.

What arrives?

A PDF you download and keep, in two editions: The Top Copy, for reading on your phone, and The Carbon, for printing. Inside are 36 situation cards in six tabs, each with the exact words, what to say if they push, what to get in writing and what to note afterwards.

Which side of the Atlantic?

Both. The words are plain English and travel well. Where the rules differ, the card says which side of the Atlantic it’s for and where to check.

When does it go on sale?

Not yet. Press any Buy button and a stop-press slip drops in to say so. The day it opens, the slip changes first, then my profiles.

SUPPLEMENT 8LATE FINALTODAY

THE FILE ITSELF

Read it tonight. Say it tomorrow.

ITEM: The Carbon Copy File, by Maureen Pike
FORMAT: PDF, in two editions: for the phone, and for the printer (92 A5 pages)
INSIDE: 36 cards in six tabs, eight Openers, twelve letters, a telephone pad, the Seven Lines and purse cards
PRICE: $12, paid once

$12

Digital download. Education, not advice. Read the terms before you buy.

Checkout opens soon. Press Buy and the slip will say so. Nothing is charged today.

Say it once. Then stop talking.