Like many of us, a grocery shopper named Jill is paying more attention to the cost of food these days. So, as described in a New York Times article, when one store's price on cauliflower seemed too high, she went to another store, and then another. Finally, she found a good price, only to discover at checkout that the cans of artichokes in her basket were way more expensive than they were at the first store. Spending wisely, it turns out, is often more difficult than it seems.
Irrationality also plays a role. The article noted that sales of flat-screen televisions at Best Buy are way down this year, but they're up at Wal-Mart. An analyst quoted in the article said, "Somehow, because Wal-Mart feels like a bargain store, shoppers who have deprived themselves of luxury items elsewhere rationalized their purchases at Wal-Mart as 'getting a good deal.'" The article also reported on people who join a warehouse club in an effort to save money, only to end up buying so many "bargain" items that they may not live long enough to use them up, and then spending more money organizing it all.
Matt's View
The article
is worth reading in its entirety. Don't be surprised if you find yourself alternating between laughter and tears, as it describes behaviors that may seem all too familiar.
In the last issue of this eNewsletter I steered you to a blog post with links to some of the best money-saving ideas from around the blogosphere. Now, here's a collection of some of the best holiday-related money saving ideas
from various blogs. And, with an assist from a reader named Mary Ellen, here's a link to a Reader's Digest article
listing lots of other great ways to save.
Matt's View
I'm a firm believer that what we do with what we make is more important than how much we make, so it's good to seek out deals on things we're going to buy anyway. However, I've also been trying to consider the bigger picture when I make spending decisions. How does a retailer treat its employees? Did someone in another part of the world have to suffer in order for me to get this great deal? That's one reason why I like Ten Thousand Villages
, a fair trade organization that sells interesting gifts made by third-world artisans.
In the midst of all the belt-tightening going on during these turbulent times, many charities are seeing an increase in donations. As reported by the Associated Press (which I heard about through Dan Miller's excellent eNewsletter, 48 Days
), Washington state's largest food bank is getting calls from companies whose employees have decided to forgo their usual holiday party in favor of using the money to help buy food for the hungry. Apparently, it's more than just a local trend. A Harris Interactive survey found that 70 percent of respondents plan to spend less on holiday presents this year while about 50 percent said they are more likely to give a charitable gift.
Matt's View
I'm hearing the same sentiment from readers of this eNewsletter. For example, Amy said that on her dad's side of the family, which includes 12 adults, they've decided not hold their usual gift exchange this year. Instead, each person plans to take the money they would normally spend and donate it to a local charity. Amy's money is going to a local food bank.
Isn't it great that the holiday season begins with Thanksgiving? There's something good for the soul about pausing long enough to take stock of all that we have to be thankful for. And while I've mentioned the following idea before, I think it's worth repeating. One of the best ways to remember all that we have to be thankful for is to use a "blessing box." I learned of the idea from Bob and Jody, a couple I got to know while writing "Money, Purpose, Joy." Throughout the year, whenever they experience some blessing, they write a note about it and put the note in a special box. On Thanksgiving, they read all of the notes out loud. Doing so reminds them and their children of the many ways, both big and small, that God provides for them.
Matt's View
While I love the holidays, they changed for me a few years ago when I lost my mom a week and a half before Christmas 2003 and my dad on the day after Thanksgiving 2004. Still, while the holidays will always remind me of their deaths, I am thankful to have had parents that I deeply loved and respected. And I'm thankful that their deaths did not come about suddenly; I had time to tell them again and again how much I loved them and to say good-bye. I know that not everyone who loses someone they love has those opportunities. So, this week, as many of us gather with friends or family, in the midst of the food and the football, let's take a minute to tell the people we love how thankful we are for them.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
