Less $ for Holiday Gifts

Bailouts, stimulus packages and other economic measures taken are supposed to trickle down to the common person eventually.  But for now, all I see are dropping markets and fear in the eyes of the American Economists.  People are scared and are saving more.  So, how does that affect my day to day?  It hasn’t too much yet, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t considered buying a scooter.  I’m also riding my bike to more places, trying to build up some stamina. 

I know it will impact my holiday shopping for sure too.  Earlier in the year, I felt fine spending some money.  My wife and I took a trip to Paris and loved it, but now I don’t think we would.  Immediately, some of my decisions for 2008 gifts have been altered.  These nice Marine Corps rings went out the door.  I’m looking maybe more like some clothes or something for my military friends.  Next summer, I want to take my nieces and nephew to the beach, and they will probably be slopping on the sunscreen instead of these cool SPF swimwear suits.  They’ll probably get something on sale from this site from me instead.  Not that they’ll ever know the difference.  They’ll love whatever toy or gift they have.

I think that’s an interesting point.  It’s going to be difficult for Americans to change their ways, to have less.  But we are the richest country in the planet.  I think it will be good for us to be less spoiled.  Although, there will certainly be some discipline pains.