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This past year year I was trying to get a line of credit for a small business. It soon became apparent that the banks were lying in their teeth about small business lending. They were all pulling back despite their protestations of increased lending.

This month I was given the task of buying some expensive stuff for another business. One of the items is a new car with complete specifications taken off the “build-your-car” part of the manufacturer’s website. I faxed off the specs to six dealers with requests for quotes for this car telling each dealer that I wanted to buy it right away and would pay cash.
Crickets.

OK – this doesn’t jibe with the hype on the news. Does anyone know what is going on here?

Big investors are going to suddenly cash out and take huge profits, starting a slide that will badly badly hurt anyone who’s gotten in recently.

Those who have been buying for a long time have likely put their buying on hold. They’ll buy again when it briefly plunges below a reasonable value.

So the guy at the pawn and coin shop tells me.

I have been telling friends and relatives that we should not buy gifts this year because I think we are all going to need to save as much as we can for food, and necessities, all of which will soon skyrocket. They have all been relieved that they do not have to worry about a gift for me and they have been considering sending the message to their friends and relatives to just have a little holiday gathering without gifts. just based on the people I know who are cutting back for this holiday season, I will be shocked if there is much of a holiday sales bump for any retailers this year.

I have stopped most of my spending because I am tired to be sold junk. I bought a brand new Toshiba notebook end of July, It has already been out for repair (screen light went out) once, and the Acer mini notebook I got for traveling is pure junk. (both were made in China)

I bought some cashemere sweaters (expensive) for the season, one already has a hole in it, because the label was badely sawn (made in China).

So I have decided to buy a Mac on the computer front and to buy only quality proven and essential products from now on. And IF I CAN, everything made in China stays on the shelve.

I have enough of being lied to and therefore of thrawing my money away (not mentioning all those wasted products end in our landfills).

I notice many of my friends becoming creative with the economic situation. Those who have enough are giving to charities in the names oftheir loved ones. My husband and I are not exchanging gifts, but are buying supplies for local underserved schools (that feels even better than getting a present and we are still feeding the economy a little).

A new one is to purchase gifts at charity auctions or sales–a great double-duty opportunity. There are so many opportinities now. I “won” some great gifts for Mom, sister, and son that way.

I must say that this economy is forcing many of us to rehtink our values–a silver lining of sorts, at least in terms of morality. I never realized how much stuff I have that I do not need. Furthermore, if I never bought another piece of clothing I still wouldn’t go naked–ever!

The day is purchased. [It adds to the economic data.]

The days it sits stored while the battery is being charged to overflows that resulted in large waste of electricity and the deterioration of battery life.

The eventual throw away item it becomes once the battery is depleted of its charge capacity. Because only a minority will spend 50 dollars to buy a new battery.

But the economy is growing, no?

Thank you, LD.