Stimulating the Economy

Last night my daughter-in-law and I were talking about how ironic it is that over-spending by individuals and the nation had gotten us into the economic crisis we are experiencing and yet spending money is supposed to get us out. Are you spending or saving? If you like, you can read my rumination on the current situation on spending here.

Stress of the Economic Crisis

The current economic situation brings out the best and worst in people. The nightly news is featuring stories about people who are rising to the occasion of this recession and unselfishly taking pay cuts and putting off raises to help their employer keep people working. Unfortunately, for some the frustration of looking for employment forces them into the murky waters of prejudice and selfishness. “How come that person has a job and I can’t find one?” When “that person” has an accent or disability or is a different color the risk is run of sliding down the slippery slope of prejudice. The United States may not be in the same position as Depression Era Germany—yet—but we are seeing and hearing the sort of frustrations that hateful people used to acquire power. For some the fear is so great that they cannot see beyond their own needs. I’m reading and hearing things that disturb me. I believe that we are in this lifeboat together. If you’re interested in what I’m seeing in our little corner of the South Sound read more.

Kudos to the Peninsula School District Administrators

Even with passage of the levy in February, the economy will hit the Peninsula School District hard. Like so many school districts, Peninsula School District will have a deficit of a minimum of $3 million next year and possibly a great deal more. This will mean changes for the 2009-2010 school year. For once the school district isn’t trying to save money on the backs of the support staff alone. While looking at creative alternatives to save money, the administration has stepped up to the plate and will be taking pay cuts rumored to be between 3-5%. Without question there will be certified and classified job losses this summer, but they will be a bit easier to swallow knowing the pain will be shared. Personally, I would be willing to take a cut in hours if it meant someone else keeping some part of a position.

Like families, many school districts will face serious challenges next year.

Grab Your Pitchfork

American workers are being laid off, taking time off and/or pay cuts just to keep businesses and governmental offices open. Schools may be moving to a four day week. Not everyone seems to be feeling the pinch however. Some are actually getting bonuses.

Last fall we were told that if we didn’t give AIG 180 billion dollars life as we know it would cease to exist. The money was given with too few strings attached and now some of the people responsible for AIG’s failure are receiving big bonuses for being either idiots or criminals. How can AIG have the nerve to honor bonuses for bad work when the American public now owns 80% of their company? What are they thinking and how much longer will be reward stupidity? I don’t approve of mob mentality, but it seems that we've created a Frankinstein monster and feels like it’s time to get the torches and pitchforks.

Remembering What's Really Important

In these economic times it’s easy to become focused on your own problems and fear for the future. I remembered something today that I’d forgotten. The first weekend of the month the FISH Food Bank accepts donations at Gig Harbor Safeway. Back when Safeway was the cheapest place in Gig Harbor for groceries I used to give to FISH every month. When they raised their prices and I started shopping at Fred Meyer all the time I got out of the habit of being sure to put something into the basket for FISH. Today I happened to only need a few things and since I was at Goodwill anyway and it was a lovely afternoon I decided to stroll down to Safeway to get my things and save the gas driving to Fred Meyer. That’s when I remembered about FISH. I took the shopping list from the FISH volunteer, but I always get toiletries. I know what it’s like to be without a tooth brush so I bought four and some toothpaste.

We can’t expect President Obama to wave a magic wand and put this country back together. I’m finding the Right Wing Rhetoric tiring so I’m taking a break from the news, but not from the notion that it’s going to take all of us to make the country successful again. Anyone who wishes President Obama to be unsuccessful is not an American because if he’s not successful we aren’t going to be either. If he fails we all fail. We are one nation.

The need at food banks and other charities is greater than ever, just when you and I are feeling less able to give. There’s a greater blessing in giving when there’s less ability to do so. I’m going to remember to go to Safeway the first weekend of the month and give a little of what I’ve got with a prayer that fewer people will need the help the next month. This is a long row we have to hoe, but if we stop sniping at one another and concentrate on caring for one another instead, things will get better quicker. We are all in the same lifeboat.

Your Money or Your LIfe

More than once on this blog site I have been accused of attempting to destroy the American economy through my advocating thrift and a return to Benjamin Franklin’s admonition that “a penny saved, is a penny earned.” Our insatiable consumption as a nation has led to our current economic crisis. We came to believe that we could have the American dream through credit instead of through saving. “If I want something I’m going to buy it” was one comment left when I had the temerity to suggest a return to the original spirit of peace on earth at Christmas instead of massive debt and conspicuous consumption.

Once again Americans are showing their “right stuff” by a return to the value of conservation of financial resources. Gasoline is coming down in price largely due to American conservation. People are availing themselves of public transportation in record numbers. We are putting off purchasing big ticket items and beginning to save for them. Many are cutting back on holiday shopping and finding creative ways to express their love for family and friends. My husband, who has an extensive LP collection, is making CDs for each of his brothers. The janitor where I work keeps bees and sells honey. Buying seven jars of his wonderful raspberry honey at $5 a jar made both of us happy and eliminated shopping for my sisters-in-law. This saved gas and time and fulfilled my own requirements that gifts be consumable.

I am in the process of reading Your Money or Your Life by Dominguez and Robin. Not only am I striving to buy less, I am attempting to let go of things I already have. Thrift stores have been busier than ever, but I plan to keep them well supplied as I go through closets and cupboards getting rid of things that are doing nothing but weighing me down. I highly recommend this book which is available used at “Half Price Books” in Tacoma and on Amazon.com.

Another great book to give/receive for Christmas is Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Simple Abundance; A Daybook of Comfort & Joy. This lovely book is a day by day reflection on simplifying your physical life while enriching your spiritual life. It can be started at any point of the book/year, but New Year’s and its attendant feeling of fresh start is a wonderful time to begin a journey that will enrich your life and wallet.

If this topic interests you, keep an eye on my The View From My Broom blog.