Christmas spending.............

[mark]

............after seeing the TV yesterday & all those crazies at the WalMarts at 5AM, ( ooops, that might have been you, unfortunately, I had to work ) I can see that is the American version of the Spanish "running of the bulls!"

Man, it looked like some of those folks were ready to kill each other. This evening while my lovely bride was cooking supper, I just happen to notice the ol' NBC news on & they said the spending yesterday was somewhere in the billions nationwide & that overall spending this year was up roughly 10% over this time last year.

I remember the talk from the press all summer long was.........millions of people are out of work & the economy is in the tank. Kerry even promised 10 million jobs in his 1st term.

So, here's what I would like to know...............where did all this extra money come from to spend yesterday?? ..................see ya Mark

[kcredden]

First, it wasn't me there. I'm not crazy enough to risk life and limb to shop there [shiver] 2nd, where did the money come from? I have no idea. I certainly haven't come across any more lucre.

But I'll get more, soon. (I hope)

Hope everyone has a safe, and healthy christmas.

[Jeremy]

Two words: Credit Cards. Record spending is matched by record debt. More and more people are stuck in a credit quagmire. Forget about the national debt, it's just a reflection of the overwhelming personal debt in this country, which has become an epidemic fueled by desperation and an optimism that things will be better tomorrow. That new super computer isn't $2000, it's just $20 a month, I can afford that. Six months later you have an oudated computer. Three years later you're still paying for it.

[kcredden]

Sadly your right, Jeremy. That same attitude goes for the housing market. People are snapping up $250k, 300k, 500k+ homes like crazy. Not just one, but 2, 3. They can barely afford to make the payments (like that commerical "I'm up to my eyeballs in debt. Someone please help me?")

That, and what you said may be the sword that hangs over the U.S. It can't go on forever, and people will have to pay for those homes or give 'em back. Then what are banks to do, if people can't afford them? Yep, cut prices to unload them. That doesn't seem to be a good thing coming.

[acoolmom777]

I have been there and done that...I think it comes with age...I know my limits and stick to them...the best way to shop is with cash. I use to spend, spend, spend on the family and friends...(and it amazes me how many friends you have at christmas..lol)
Now we exchange our "time" during the year, childsitting..work on autos, a great movie night, etc....this excludes our own kids thro...lol

[mark]

......now that's a thought. Bartering. Hmmmm, I'd love to do more of that.

BTW, that blonde in that green dress is sure purty! Hee, hee...........see ya Mark

[acoolmom777]

ok mark...now you are scaring me...lol

[kybikertrash]

I have to say in defense of our Wal-Mart, I was there at 6 a.m. and they had things pretty organized.

The store had been open all night so there was no rushing in at the door and sale items were placed throughout the store so depending on what you were there to get, you could go to that area (maps were provided).