New Month

Hi,
it's getting to be that time of year again... count down! The second Halloween is over people here start shifting into shopping mode. Even in this 'economic depression' (and I am not going to pull any punches by calling it anything other than what it really is) there is a deluge of ads on TV for Christmas lay-away plans. Are they kidding me? Unemployment is at an all time high since the Dirty Thirties and we need to push X-mas crap? Houses are being foreclosed on in record numbers and the ad men keep pushing useless merchandise at us. "Buy, Buy, Buy... or you're not a good person". Debt? That word suddenly seems to have dropped from our daily vocabulary. How many credit card applications do you think we get sent in one week of mail? Last week, in 6 days of post, we received 18 different applications. Some disguised as vacation give away plans, some were from associations, others still looked like real mail (I almost forget what that is). No we don't need special terms, reduced fees, lower interest rates or flashy cash-back programs. I'm not shopping!

Bank of America tried to add a $5 yearly fee to it's debit card program but got such heat from customers and the press that it called it off today. Good. People need to get used to spending only what's in their pocket or bank account. My mantra is "no more credit". If you don't have the money at hand, you can't buy it! Want it? Tough, only if you have the pennies in your piggy bank, otherwise, stop shopping for stuff you probably don't need. The Black Friday shopping frenzy is heating up. Are there real bargains to be had? Maybe. Do you need another Blackberry/Kindle/60" screen TV? Probably not. Can you live without upgrading your widgets & gadgets? You bet your life you can. If it ain't broke, don't buy another. Unfortunately, these are concepts that people just don't want to hear. They are still stuck on the consumer-mode from the 90's. I really think no one has been listening to the media and the fact that we are on the brink of financial dissolve world-wide.

I get very bah-humbug this time of year and practically shut down from the bombardment of shopping promotions. It takes all my strength to not scream "I've had enough, and I won't take it anymore". It's usually February before my blood pressure goes back down to normal and I venture out to buy anything more than just food. Trust me,  it's not safe out there until Ground Hogs' Day.

xox
m