yes yes, it’s the talk of the “news” world. something makes me think that if people were just honest, none of this would happen. If people would just be ethical, caring, non-greedy and honest, we would not be in this financial meltdown. Would we even have a stock market without greed?
The uncut clip of John Stewart interviewing Jim Cramer on The Daily Show- Here
I came across an article in the New York Times by Stephanie Rosenbloom about how people are cutting back spending for the holidays this year in order to buy gifts for their kids.
The article is amazing. Here’s an example of it’s amazing grasp of the financial situation of moms in this country:
Weathering the first severe economic downturn of their adult lives, these women are discovering that a practice they once indulged without thinking about it, shopping a bit for themselves at the holidays, has to give way to their children’s wish lists.
What? They have to change their spending habits to have money for their kids? Say it ain’t so!
“I want her to be able to look back,” Ms. Hunt declared, “and say, ‘Even though they were tough times, my mom was still able to give me stuff.’ ”
Boy I know if my mom never bought me “stuff” I wouldn’t be driving up 200 miles tomorrow to see her, eat side dishes and chit chat about my latest blog posts. Because even in tough times, getting stuff from your mom is more important than having her love, support and guidance.
Don’t think I don’t remember being a kid at Christmas and the joy of opening up the My Little Pony lunch box I had been unsubtle in hinting about all year. I know part of that magic of Christmas is the presents, especially when you are young, but don’t you think we’re going a bit too far, when it’s news that a mom has to “sacrifice” for her kids by not buying the latest pair of designer jeans? Is that sacrifice?
The comments on this story are worth the read. To quote from Lost in the US, Random Lake, WI,
Shop for myself? What a laugh! This is not “sacrifice”. This is just being a parent. Next time you want to do an article on parental sacrifice, find someone who actually falls into that category. Like one of those parents who are working three jobs to keep a roof over her/his kids’ heads. Not buying dumb designer jeans is not sacrifice. By the way, that is way too many toys in the photo. Small children just get confused and confounded when they get an orgy of “stuff” on Christmas morning.
Not to compare this financial crisis to the Great Depression, but let’s read this CNN article by 91 year-old Walter Stoiber, who looks back at the Great Depression days.
Now that puts things into perspective. He was just a kid during the Depression, they had no money, he had a full and happy childhood, and -get this- he survived!
Perhaps it wouldn’t be the worst thing if your kid looks back at this Christmas and says “they were tough times, my mom was not able to give me stuff but we managed, and being kids, we used our creativity and imagination (gasp!) and had fun anyway.”
I need a haircut!
That could cost nearly $100 for some, but for me, $8.88 (plus tip).
Now realize, this is no fancy salon, but Great Clips, one of many family haircut chains, and a decent one at that. Fantastic Sam’s is pretty good too, but I usually walk out of there sans twenty bucks or more, and well, right now that’s not gonna fly. We’re not gonna get into my experience with Supercuts. Let’s just say they have a satisfaction guarantee, and I got my money back, which I then spent at Fantastic Sam’s shaping up my mangled ‘do.
Great Clips usually runs at $12.99 for adults, and coupons are found aplenty. Looks like earlier in the year there was a $5.99 haircut deal, but for now, $8.88 will have to do (plus tip- don’t forget the tip).
The $8.88 haircut at Great Clips is via this coupon for the San Diego region. You can do a google search for Great Clips coupons in your area, though this coupon has no specific city mentioned on it (and besides the unfortunate spelling error, it’s so easy to just print and go!).
Gosh, seems like just yesterday we were getting messy hands clipping coupons from the sunday paper. The internets sure make it easy to save a few dollars.
Stay tuned for a Great Clips followup. (hopefully I won’t be crying and wearing hats for the next month or so)
Well hello, and thank you for joining me on this cheaptastic voyage through the world of finding great deals, limiting consumer purchases, and being proud of being cheap while maintaining some dignity.
And what better time for a blog full of money-saving tips! Many of us have lost our jobs; we are struggling to stay afloat financially, and we are feeling that depressing holiday pressure to buy expensive gifts for everybody we know. The biggest financial companies on Wall Street are crumbling around us, and the American car manufacturers are asking for our help. All this and a head of garlic is now 50¢. Inflation! No longer do we live in a time when garlic is 3 for a dollar. Times like these call for drastic measures.
Yes, I am cheap, but I find myself spending money like never before. It seems impossible not to. Groceries, phone bill, prescriptions, car insurance, gas… It all adds up, and when the usual steady income is interrupted, it can cause some serious freaking out.
So here I am, spreading tips on how I try to keep costs low, without sacrificing my health, without sacrificing too much of my general happiness.
I hope you enjoy this cheap little journey. Please feel free to add in your tips, comments, and views on any of the subjects we cover. You can always email me with suggestions anytime.
Enjoy!