curious cat

Job Numbers Don't Freak Out Dollar Bulls

steve35,

you make a great point. americans spend money as if they are rich. they do not grow their own food, that's fine, but can't they make a few meals at home, instead of eating out all the time? maybe even make a loaf of bread themselves, now and then? they want to see movies, but why can't they rent a dvd instead of going to the theater? can't they wash their cars at home? can't they make their own coffee? and, i'm with you on phones.

every doctor i know complains about having to carry a beeper or cell phone, but joe citizen seems to think they need one, please. just how important are you that you cannot wait to get where you're going before you call someone or check your messages? if you are not a doctor or drug dealer, it can probably wait. i have never owned a cell phone and i have not worn a watch in thirty years. what's the point? where can you go that you cannot find out what time it is?

if you are so rushed that your schedule requires pinpoint accuracy, you will receive health benefits by cutting yourself some slack. and, who are these ipod people? try humming a few songs to yourself, my friends. get in touch with your own voice. do they have so much money that they have to keep down loading ring tones? oh, my god!

i have another money saving suggestion for you. remind your spouse and children that you are not made of money and cannot afford to waste any more on frivilous purchases. if you have more shoes than imelda marcos, you better own your own island.

here is what you do need because they support you all day and night: good shoes, good tires, good mattress, but you don't need more than your fair share, ok? wal-mart has all three.

here is what most of you do not need: a manicure, a dye job, a nose job, orthodontia, a boob job, a haircut that costs more than you make in an hour, another purse, another golf club, another computer, another computer game, another car (if yours has less than 150,000 miles on the odometer-and that's being generous cause if you change the oil regularly, a good used car can go almost forever.) just compare the cost of a new car to the amount you must pay to maintain the old one. remember that the new one costs more in insurance and taxes.

half of your car trips are unnecessary too. still have to make a trip or buy something? well, follow a few simple rules. plan ahead and you can combine that trip to the post office and the one to the grocery store and the one to get gas. use your phone book and make a few calls to find out store hours, product availability, price comparison info. then, shop on line and have the nice ups or fed x people deliver it to your door.

ok, i used to work 60-80 hours a week. now, i'm 55 and retired. i stay home, watch cable, surf the net, exercise, water the vegetable garden, read books. i can do that because, even though i lost a ton of money in the stock market, i am very low maintenance. the reason most people cannot retire is their desire to live a high life.

do you really want to travel? join the service or get a job on a cruise ship. do you love new clothes? learn to sew and design your own. have to have a computer? read some books and buy some parts. love tennis? string your own raquets and use the public courts. love golfing? some courses let you use the facilities if you contribute to maintenance or caddie. whatever your love in life might be, there is a less expensive alternative, a more rewarding and complete experience that comes from expending more effort rather than money.