Stimulate this...

So, we all hear that it's a recession and economic stimulus this and economic stimulus that, and the world is going to hell in a hand basket, and the dollar isn't worth spit. Not only that, but about 1/2 of all couples are employed, and if you have a job thank God--even if they do tell you to work more hours, and quibble about vacation time, and try this furlough business that I thought was illegal in the 70's. I get it.

But, I just want to point out that if you can afford to go out to eat once a week, if you can get haircuts, manicures and pedicures; if you're planning your staycation; and if you're not shopping at the thrift shop--then you're not really suffering.

I remember rough times as a kid. (If you didn't experience rough times growing up, then right now, log off and go thank you parents.) Let me tell you, when things were rough, eating out, shopping and any form of vacation--weren't even a fragment of a thought. My parents' friends would all regularly gather together and go through hand me downs. And damn it, if some of my family and I still don't do it! And let me tell you, it was beyond exciting to have that sweater that didn't fit your cousin anymore, but was new to you! Going out to eat and vacations and whatnot--you saw your extended family on Sundays for dinner, and you were happy about it.

We also clipped coupons. That's right coupons, and not from newspapers that we purchased, but from papers that were discarded in the hallway of the apartment building or we got in the mail. And my Mom cooked--all the time, because it was cheaper (and still is) to cook at home than it was to eat out. And there was no whining about new cars, pools, house repairs (what house?) and going out to the movies. You wanted entertainment--you went outside to play, watched the three channels you could get with the rabbit ear antennas, and got FREE books at the library. PSST! Your kids can still get free books at the library... And most importantly, you let your parents tell you stories of what it was like when they were little. That's right...you TALKED as a family. Sure there was always a story of walking 20 miles in the snow and how lucky we had it because we had buses, but we bonded.

I appreciate, that maybe folks can't go off and spend their money like it's going out of style. But who the hell could anyway? And here's a newsflash--really rich people, don't spend their money on stupid things. They're actually quite thrifty--that's why they're rich. They invest their dollars wisely. That ninth sweater in that fourth shade of of purple is not a wise investment.

So, I'm not saying that we need to all line up at the soup kitchen to feel the pinch, but maybe before we go complaining about how tough it is, we should take a look at our credit card bills and figure out what's on them. If it's more than just food and gas, you can probably cut that stuff out. I think we could all use some personal fiscal responsibility. Just a thought.