As I was driving to work this morning, I was absently listening to the radio when I heard the announcer chime in through my thoughts that a handful of retailer are opening at midnight the day after Thanksgiving “…to give shoppers an advantage at more bargains.” Really? Since when are retailers concerned for consumer’s advantages? The sad and pathetic aspect is that we (the so-called broke consumer) will fall for this scheme just like we do every season; actually, “they,” because I have yet to partake in the great spending frenzy of “Black Friday”
The term “Black Friday” started as an indication that stores were profiting, in the ‘black’ and continues today. Yes, in this ostentatious society where more is more, a day is set aside to spend money. Need I remind, that money is scarce for a good percentile of our nation and yet on the 4th Friday of November, people will relinquish precious family time, which used to be the theme of Thanksgiving, and gear up to fight (figuratively and literally in many instances) for the sake of purchasing something, anything on sale. (I’ll save Cyber Monday for another time…) I shake my head in pity at the idea that life is not worthwhile unless little Johnny has the latest Playstation sitting under the tree on Christmas morning or deprived Mommy can’t get her hands on that Forman Grill with the 92 inter-changeable griddles.
In the midst of all this madness that will transpire over a 4-week span, far away in the distance is the cry for change. A small voice is heard on an obscure channel that preaches bringing the true meaning of Christmas back to the forefront. On another channel, some expert will analyze a more cost-efficient way of shopping and another will pinpoint a new spending trend. The bottom line to all these is spending. What amazes me is that none of these “One-Day Sales” and “Early Bird Specials” that begin at 3 A.M. would not and could not happen unless we, the consumer, make them so. The power of the dollar is in the hand of its holder. The consumer is responsible for the millions of dollars in profit retailers report just days after that infamous Friday.
Gone are the days where traditions were held dear like the family going out together to pick out a tree, which was always too big for the living room. Sitting around the kitchen/dining table helping in some capacity with the Christmas dinner and reminiscing about past Christmases only happens occasionally. Core values have evaporated along with the whipped topping on a trendy $6 cup of hot chocolate that you must buy and be seen drinking while you’re at the mall or you’re not “In” and all the other Soccer-Gymnastics-Basketball-Cheerleader Moms will banish you from their reindeer games and the next bake sale.
I have an idea, how about explaining to your children and family members that you’re in debt (honestly) and that this year you’re giving them the gift that keeps on giving…compassion. What would happen if you start a “new” tradition that focuses on what matters? I don’t know, something like getting to know your friends and family? I mean spending true quality time with them and allowing them to see you, laugh with you, or dine with you. Remember life before everything and everyone was digital? You TALKED with people, not read their texts and status postings. You knew what was happening in their lives because you used meet for dinner, at each other’s houses and could see in their eyes something was going on, good, bad, or disastrous. Instead of sending mass text messages, stop by, or call and TELL your loved ones “MERRY CHRISTMAS” (not this politically correct Happy Holidays crap…don’t get me started with that one!)
I encourage you to re-think this season. Think outside the expensively wrapped gift box and dig into your family’s treasure box. Learn how to make Grandma’s pineapple coconut cake (I’m trying my hand at my mother’s sweet potato pie again!) Reconnect with the ones you love and disconnect from your Berries, Droids, and anything i-related. Give of yourself this season, not of your wallet. Your loved-ones will love your more for it…and for those that don’t appreciate it, they’ll catch on next year when they realize they’re in the ‘red’ on ‘black’ Friday.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Dollars and Sense ©
Over the weekend I watched a report on, surprise, the US economy. What caught my eyes ears was the mention of three major corporations and a television studio.
The drab and depressing fact about US’s money problems have been “Hot Topics” for a couple of years now. Most recently, the debt ceiling – “To Raise or Not to Raise” was the question. The answer came in a down-to-the-wire decision to, of course, raise it. Nobody was happy about, but most agreed it was necessary. Democrats and Republicans alike have been walking around in a pseudo state of contentment claiming there was no “winner” and that each side compromised.
Without sounding like the many analysts that have been creeping and crawling around on the airwaves, it all sounds like a territory war at the local playground. Republicans want what they want, Democrats want what they want, and the president wants what he wants. Ironically, nobody wants what the people want. Whatever that is, I don’t anyone knows anymore.
I will admit that it was frightening to hear that our government is broke. That it would not be able to financially support its citizens had a decision not been made was disheartening. In a matter of hours, checks would be cancelled, funding dried up. For the average American, we know what it means to write that check to pay a bill and panic when our direct deposit doesn’t reach our account, but for the richest country, this sounds absurd. How can a country, no, how can America be in this situation?
The bottom line (if you can find it) is wasteful, over-spending. We’ve all heard the reports regarding the amounts spent for the war. The war that was not ours to fight (personal opinion) the monies given to other countries (when our own are living at poverty levels) and other expenses that should bring shame, but doesn’t. Well, now it does because it’s all out in the open, sort of. Of course we will never know the exacts, there are individuals who are actually paid a salary to make sure we don’t. I’ll leave that alone…
Back to my initial point, the piece held my attention because it mentioned Apple, GE, Pfizer, and CBS combined has a net worth higher than the US. Apple alone has a cash value higher than our government. Yes, cash value. Meaning, accessible funds at their fingertips, ready for spending. Not stock or solid assets, actual cash sitting in their banks.
I leave that as an ending…maybe you can make sense of it.
The drab and depressing fact about US’s money problems have been “Hot Topics” for a couple of years now. Most recently, the debt ceiling – “To Raise or Not to Raise” was the question. The answer came in a down-to-the-wire decision to, of course, raise it. Nobody was happy about, but most agreed it was necessary. Democrats and Republicans alike have been walking around in a pseudo state of contentment claiming there was no “winner” and that each side compromised.
Without sounding like the many analysts that have been creeping and crawling around on the airwaves, it all sounds like a territory war at the local playground. Republicans want what they want, Democrats want what they want, and the president wants what he wants. Ironically, nobody wants what the people want. Whatever that is, I don’t anyone knows anymore.
I will admit that it was frightening to hear that our government is broke. That it would not be able to financially support its citizens had a decision not been made was disheartening. In a matter of hours, checks would be cancelled, funding dried up. For the average American, we know what it means to write that check to pay a bill and panic when our direct deposit doesn’t reach our account, but for the richest country, this sounds absurd. How can a country, no, how can America be in this situation?
The bottom line (if you can find it) is wasteful, over-spending. We’ve all heard the reports regarding the amounts spent for the war. The war that was not ours to fight (personal opinion) the monies given to other countries (when our own are living at poverty levels) and other expenses that should bring shame, but doesn’t. Well, now it does because it’s all out in the open, sort of. Of course we will never know the exacts, there are individuals who are actually paid a salary to make sure we don’t. I’ll leave that alone…
Back to my initial point, the piece held my attention because it mentioned Apple, GE, Pfizer, and CBS combined has a net worth higher than the US. Apple alone has a cash value higher than our government. Yes, cash value. Meaning, accessible funds at their fingertips, ready for spending. Not stock or solid assets, actual cash sitting in their banks.
I leave that as an ending…maybe you can make sense of it.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Liberty Up Close...(snippet)
We must’ve been having a great time because I hadn’t noticed the distance we covered. Over the music the DJ announced, “The Statue of Liberty is just outside for anybody who wants to take a picture!” I looked out the window where I had seen it before, but couldn’t see anything. I walked around to the other side, and still saw nothing. Finally I walked up to the row of windows at the front of the ship and there she was, just a few feet away. I gasped. I was caught off guard completely at the majesty of it. I looked around quickly, hoping nobody was watching me and thankfully, no one was. They were all jumping around, beers or drinks in one hand, the other raised in a pumping fist shouting, “USA! USA! USA!” I peeked out the window again, hoping for the same effect as the first glance. I twirled around and told my friend that I wanted a picture and we hurried upstairs to the balcony.
We stepped outside and there she was, bigger than life, holding that torch I had seen millions of times in photos and in movies. It was like I could reach out and touch her we were so close. Emotions caught in my throat I just looked up and stared as we slowly coasted by. I didn’t hear the music or see the other people that were out there snapping pictures. I was transfixed. I snapped a few pictures myself and my friend took a couple of pictures too, which made me feel less of a tourist. We went back downstairs, and I find myself fighting back tears. Tears? Where was this coming from? I’m grateful for the darkness and loud music because I couldn’t explain this. I didn’t want to explain it. My friend was talking to me, but I don’t remember what she was saying. I finally yell back, “I can’t believe I’m so emotional about seeing the Statue of Liberty!” She put her hand on my shoulder, a reassuring sign that she understood and wasn’t judging. We stand there and a few minutes watching the others dance and we’re laughing and dancing, but I’m still thinking about her; Lady Liberty.
My friend went back to the dance floor and I sat on the window sill watching, still full f emotion. I turned to look out the window, and there she was again, on my side. The ship had turned around and I didn’t even realize. I stood up and leaned against the window, watching her. My friend had come back and was talking to me and realizing I was caught up she said laughing, “I’m sorry, I’ll let you have your moment.” I laughed back and told her I was fine, “I don’t want your co-workers thinking I’m a sloppy drunk.” We both laugh and turn back to look out the window. Shocked that I’m this emotional, and more surprised that it’s effecting me this way. I was proud. In that moment a surge of content pride swept over me. I thought about the lives that had been sacrificed for me to stand there. I thought about the marches, the strikes, the beatings, and the silent suffering that went on so that I could walk, work, and live freely. All things I had taken for granted.
In that moment I realized just how blessed I am to live here, with all that I have. Yes, our government is corrupt and gas prices are out of control. Groceries are expensive and rents are unaffordable, but I am here. Free.
We stepped outside and there she was, bigger than life, holding that torch I had seen millions of times in photos and in movies. It was like I could reach out and touch her we were so close. Emotions caught in my throat I just looked up and stared as we slowly coasted by. I didn’t hear the music or see the other people that were out there snapping pictures. I was transfixed. I snapped a few pictures myself and my friend took a couple of pictures too, which made me feel less of a tourist. We went back downstairs, and I find myself fighting back tears. Tears? Where was this coming from? I’m grateful for the darkness and loud music because I couldn’t explain this. I didn’t want to explain it. My friend was talking to me, but I don’t remember what she was saying. I finally yell back, “I can’t believe I’m so emotional about seeing the Statue of Liberty!” She put her hand on my shoulder, a reassuring sign that she understood and wasn’t judging. We stand there and a few minutes watching the others dance and we’re laughing and dancing, but I’m still thinking about her; Lady Liberty.
My friend went back to the dance floor and I sat on the window sill watching, still full f emotion. I turned to look out the window, and there she was again, on my side. The ship had turned around and I didn’t even realize. I stood up and leaned against the window, watching her. My friend had come back and was talking to me and realizing I was caught up she said laughing, “I’m sorry, I’ll let you have your moment.” I laughed back and told her I was fine, “I don’t want your co-workers thinking I’m a sloppy drunk.” We both laugh and turn back to look out the window. Shocked that I’m this emotional, and more surprised that it’s effecting me this way. I was proud. In that moment a surge of content pride swept over me. I thought about the lives that had been sacrificed for me to stand there. I thought about the marches, the strikes, the beatings, and the silent suffering that went on so that I could walk, work, and live freely. All things I had taken for granted.
In that moment I realized just how blessed I am to live here, with all that I have. Yes, our government is corrupt and gas prices are out of control. Groceries are expensive and rents are unaffordable, but I am here. Free.
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