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People need to give their heads a shake

Yanuck

Well-known member
The kids in this story would hate to live at my house!! :shock: :shock: , do people honestly think that this is cutting back? call me crazy but who buys their 12 yr old $110 tennis shoes? that she's going to grow out of in 6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!



NEW YORK - Andrea Reynolds, a mother of four young children in southern Louisiana, can't remember the last time she bought a dress. She also can't remember her last vacation — unless, she quips, you count those three weeks in a hotel fleeing Hurricane Rita in 2005.

But like many parents, Reynolds will curtail her own luxuries way before she'll cut back for her kids — be it for new school clothes or afterschool activities. "I'd give up eating out with friends if it meant my kids couldn't do Boy Scouts," Reynolds says. "It's a no-brainer."

Are kids recession-proof? Perhaps not, but some consumer analysts call them "recession-resistant." As Americans struggle through a tough economy, spending on kids is often the last thing to go, for reasons both practical and emotional.

"Some people will cut their medications before they'll cut spending on the kids," says Candace Corlett, president of the consulting firm WSL Strategic Retail. She says her group's research shows 39 percent of adults — parents and non-parents — plan to cut back on adult gifts this holiday season, so kids in their lives can have more.

"That's a lot of cashmere sweaters that aren't gonna get bought," says Corlett.

Forget cashmere — Sheri Donner can't even recall the last time she bought a book, though she's an avid reader.

"I'd just rather cut for me than for someone else," says Donner, a Michigan mother of two. When the family had to cancel one of their three cell phone contracts, they canceled Sheri's, not that of her 23-year-old daughter, who needs the free incoming calls to stay in touch with her boyfriend out of state.
Yet Donner has cut back on some things for her daughter, who lives at home while she attends college. Each semester the two used to go clothes shopping. "Now we go through old clothes and see what's serviceable," she says. "I really feel bad because she doesn't ask for a lot. We've never had to do this before."

With older kids, at least there's the opportunity to have a serious discussion about the economic crisis, and why sacrifices might be necessary. With small kids, it's a lot tougher to explain why that shiny new toy is suddenly out of reach.

"Every time we walk into a store, it's, 'Can we have this? Can we have that?'" sighs Rebecca Bailey, the mother of four small boys in Landolakes, Fla. "That toy, that movie. I try to teach them that we don't get everything we see."

Bailey hasn't cut back on basics like new clothes for the kids, all age 6 and under. "I want them to look nice and well cared for," she says. So do many parents: Kohl's and Wal-Mart reported that one of their few strengths in September was in children's clothing. Kohl's noted that purchases are "need-based" and Wal-Mart said customers were "looking for basics for their families," while discretionary purchases were soft.
In the words of Susan Kane, editor of Parenting magazine, "Moms are becoming more whine-prooof." And they have to, she says, no matter their economic status. Kane herself is dressing her young kids in hand-me-downs, and her own family vacation this year? "A stay-cation," she notes ruefully.

In Manhattan, where affluent families often pack their kids' schedules with activities of every conceivable sort, Emile Mosseri, who teaches private guitar, bass and piano lessons, sees evidence of some parents cutting back.

"Usually in September everyone starts up again," says Mosseri, who charges $60 to $80 per lesson to subsidize his other vocation — playing in a rock band. "This year I've lost five out of 16 students. People will say, 'I think we need to hold off for a little while.'"


Some think "holding off" — especially when it comes to material goods for young kids — could be a great thing for families, and not just for their wallets. Peggy Sradnick, who runs a daycare center in Manhattan and has been an early childhood educator for 37 years, decries a culture that has made American kids consumers before they can even write their names.

"Kids can be so overindulged," she says. A period of economic sacrifice, she says, "can only be a good thing. If people could just step back and ask, 'Does my child really need 10 of these American Girl dolls?' 'Do one-year-olds need four pairs of shoes?'"

But clearly American Girl dolls and lots of other highly popular toys will still be in demand this holiday season. "Santa's still gonna fly this year," says Chris Byrne, a New York-based toy consultant. What will probably suffer, he says, is the unplanned purchase, the impulse toy.

Corlett, the consumer analyst, said that in her marketing survey, about half of parents, 48 percent, said they'd be spending less on their kids this season.

One of them is probably Donner, the Michigan mother. She and her husband used to spend several thousand dollars on holiday gifts. "Now we'll be lucky if we can come up with $500," she says. For her, the issue isn't the losses in the stock market — her family doesn't have investments — but high prices. "Things seem to cost four times as much" as when they had their first baby, she said.


In the upscale New York suburb of Weston, Conn., Debbie Merberg recently blanched when she saw the latest statement of the family's investments. "This is their college money," she thought of her two kids, a 15-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter.

For now, the family hasn't had to make any real sacrifices. Still, Merberg wants her kids to understand what's happening. When her daughter coveted a $110 pair of sneakers, Merberg decided it wasn't going to happen. "Maybe at an earlier time, I would have said, 'OK, it's a treat,'" she says. Not now.There's nothing important her kids have gone without. "But if push came to shove, I'd give up for myself first," says Merberg. "I'd rather do without than have them do without."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27312338/
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Yeh Heck McCain ain't worrying yet about where the money is coming for his $520 Ferragamo Loafers or his wifes $8000 dress outfits...These folks got to learn to suffer a little so these elitists can keep their lifestyles :wink: :p
 

Yanuck

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Yeh Heck McCain ain't worrying yet about where the money is coming for his $520 Ferragamo Loafers or his wifes $8000 dress outfits...These folks got to learn to suffer a little so these elitists can keep their lifestyles :wink: :p

OT ...forget McCain for 1 minute.... you can read the article and not laugh at the sheer stupidity of these people when they say they're "cutting back?" Who pays for a cell phone for your 23 yr old daughter so she can talk to her boyfriend? who even thinks about buying $110 tennis shoes for a 12 yr old? private music lessons that cost $60 to $80/hour? Why would you buy books when libraries are everywhere?
People need to realize that wants and needs are two totally different things, and we are no where close to that in this country!

Alright my minute is up, now you can go back to McCain :wink: :wink: :p :p
 

jodywy

Well-known member
The Church that OT called a cult, The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(LDS or Mormons to others) Has counseled for many years to have a 2 year food storage…. Not all at once but every trip to the store you buy a little extra. Building a few week then months supply of food. They counseled to plant a garden. To only go in debt for a modest home, to try and build cash reserve of 6 months of your annual income…
Now for the one that have done this they should weather this storm much better then those that used the plastic to buy the food , gas and car patment…
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Yanuck said:
Oldtimer said:
Yeh Heck McCain ain't worrying yet about where the money is coming for his $520 Ferragamo Loafers or his wifes $8000 dress outfits...These folks got to learn to suffer a little so these elitists can keep their lifestyles :wink: :p

OT ...forget McCain for 1 minute.... you can read the article and not laugh at the sheer stupidity of these people when they say they're "cutting back?" Who pays for a cell phone for your 23 yr old daughter so she can talk to her boyfriend? who even thinks about buying $110 tennis shoes for a 12 yr old? private music lessons that cost $60 to $80/hour? Why would you buy books when libraries are everywhere?
People need to realize that wants and needs are two totally different things, and we are no where close to that in this country!

Alright my minute is up, now you can go back to McCain :wink: :wink: :p :p

Oh I agree Yanuck- but you wouldn't realize the number of kids that have cell phones as babysitters- as both parents at work to save babysitting costs....Local cell phone even offers family plans where if you get the unlimited time plan- you can add all the kids for little or nothing...
As far as who pays for a cellphone for your 23 year old daughter so she can talk to her boyfriend- My neighbor--- and my wife so the kids could call home or she could check on them when she wanted to :roll: ...
I agree with the tennis shoes and a lot of the stuff--but its always been a goal of parents to give their children a better life than they had...Bush may have ruined that goal :(
 

Yanuck

Well-known member
jodywy said:
The Church that OT called a cult, The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(LDS or Mormons to others) Has cancelled for many years to have a 2 year food storage…. Not all at once but every trip to the store you buy a little extra. Building a few week then month supply of food. They cancel to plant a garden. To only go in debt for a modest home, to try and build cash reserve of 6 months of your annual income…
Now for the one that have done this they should weather this storm much better then those that used the plastic to buy the food , gas and car patment…

jodywy..I don't understand the wording of "cancel"?, well, if the LDS is a cult, we work for a cult member, my husband likes it as he always says when they have a meeting, all it means is there's more coffee for him! I know we don't have a 2 year store of food, but I bet between the freezer of beef and the pantry, we could go a month without a trip to the store, other than milk.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
jodywy said:
The Church that OT called a cult, The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(LDS or Mormons to others) Has cancelled for many years to have a 2 year food storage…. Not all at once but every trip to the store you buy a little extra. Building a few week then month supply of food. They cancel to plant a garden. To only go in debt for a modest home, to try and build cash reserve of 6 months of your annual income…
Now for the one that have done this they should weather this storm much better then those that used the plastic to buy the food , gas and car patment…

Just so you know where I sit- I don't think of the LDS or Mormons as a cult-- but I do believe some of the fundamentalist splinter groups off that church are cults....

Incidentally the local Mormons just got their new Church finished and opened- and its nice...Not the biggest Church in town as this isn't really a heavy Mormon area like SW Montana and Idaho are- but it sure is nice- beautiful spire steeple...My old buddy, the current Sheriff, (who was formerly the District Livestock Investigator and my brand inspection boss) is one of the Elders of the Church...
 

Yanuck

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Yanuck said:
Oldtimer said:
Yeh Heck McCain ain't worrying yet about where the money is coming for his $520 Ferragamo Loafers or his wifes $8000 dress outfits...These folks got to learn to suffer a little so these elitists can keep their lifestyles :wink: :p

OT ...forget McCain for 1 minute.... you can read the article and not laugh at the sheer stupidity of these people when they say they're "cutting back?" Who pays for a cell phone for your 23 yr old daughter so she can talk to her boyfriend? who even thinks about buying $110 tennis shoes for a 12 yr old? private music lessons that cost $60 to $80/hour? Why would you buy books when libraries are everywhere?
People need to realize that wants and needs are two totally different things, and we are no where close to that in this country!

Alright my minute is up, now you can go back to McCain :wink: :wink: :p :p

Oh I agree Yanuck- but you wouldn't realize the number of kids that have cell phones as babysitters- as both parents at work to save babysitting costs....Local cell phone even offers family plans where if you get the unlimited time plan- you can add all the kids for little or nothing...
As far as who pays for a cellphone for your 23 year old daughter so she can talk to her boyfriend- My neighbor--- and my wife so the kids could call home or she could check on them when she wanted to :roll: ...
I agree with the tennis shoes and a lot of the stuff--but its always been a goal of parents to give their children a better life than they had...Bush may have ruined that goal :(

giving kids material things doesn't always make them better people, or a better life, in fact in a lot of cases it makes it worse
 

Denny

Well-known member
jodywy said:
The Church that OT called a cult, The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(LDS or Mormons to others) Has cancelled for many years to have a 2 year food storage…. Not all at once but every trip to the store you buy a little extra. Building a few week then month supply of food. They cancel to plant a garden. To only go in debt for a modest home, to try and build cash reserve of 6 months of your annual income…
Now for the one that have done this they should weather this storm much better then those that used the plastic to buy the food , gas and car patment…

We have a Morman Rancher Here he moved in from Utah.He buy's hay all over the country and it takes 6 months to get paid from him if your lucky.
 

per

Well-known member
Yanuck you should ask Alan Nation what happens to the freezer full of beef when the power goes off and there is no more gas for the generator. One of those beef cows could supply milk, however. :)
 

Yanuck

Well-known member
per said:
Yanuck you should ask Alan Nation what happens to the freezer full of beef when the power goes off and there is no more gas for the generator. One of those beef cows could supply milk, however. :)

I'd have to milk it though and somehow I don't think I'd like it any better now than I did when I was a kid :wink:
 

rookie

Well-known member
Denny said:
jodywy said:
The Church that OT called a cult, The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(LDS or Mormons to others) Has cancelled for many years to have a 2 year food storage…. Not all at once but every trip to the store you buy a little extra. Building a few week then month supply of food. They cancel to plant a garden. To only go in debt for a modest home, to try and build cash reserve of 6 months of your annual income…
Now for the one that have done this they should weather this storm much better then those that used the plastic to buy the food , gas and car patment…

We have a Morman Rancher Here he moved in from Utah.He buy's hay all over the country and it takes 6 months to get paid from him if your lucky.

Why does anybody give him a second chance ta do that to em.? I wouldn't.
 

TexasBred

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Yeh Heck McCain ain't worrying yet about where the money is coming for his $520 Ferragamo Loafers or his wifes $8000 dress outfits...These folks got to learn to suffer a little so these elitists can keep their lifestyles :wink: :p

OT..the McCain's earned it and can afford those things AND pay cash for them....As well as their 7 houses..or is it 8?? $100 tennis shoes charged to a Visa card and paid out at $10 a month is half the problem with this country now.
 

TexasBred

Well-known member
Denny said:
jodywy said:
The Church that OT called a cult, The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(LDS or Mormons to others) Has cancelled for many years to have a 2 year food storage…. Not all at once but every trip to the store you buy a little extra. Building a few week then month supply of food. They cancel to plant a garden. To only go in debt for a modest home, to try and build cash reserve of 6 months of your annual income…
Now for the one that have done this they should weather this storm much better then those that used the plastic to buy the food , gas and car patment…

We have a Morman Rancher Here he moved in from Utah.He buy's hay all over the country and it takes 6 months to get paid from him if your lucky.

I doubt that's got anything to do with his religious affiliation. Down in this part of the country "preachers" are some of the worst when it comes to getting your money. They expect you to give them everything.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
TexasBred said:
Oldtimer said:
Yeh Heck McCain ain't worrying yet about where the money is coming for his $520 Ferragamo Loafers or his wifes $8000 dress outfits...These folks got to learn to suffer a little so these elitists can keep their lifestyles :wink: :p

OT..the McCain's earned it and can afford those things AND pay cash for them....As well as their 7 houses..or is it 8?? $100 tennis shoes charged to a Visa card and paid out at $10 a month is half the problem with this country now.

Yep and they and Sister Sarah with her $4700 hairdo's will really understand the problems facing folks that don't make $4700 in a month or two or three.... :???: :roll: :wink: :lol:
 

kolanuraven

Well-known member
Denny said:
We have a Morman Rancher Here he moved in from Utah.He buy's hay all over the country and it takes 6 months to get paid from him if your lucky.



Being late to pay has NOTHING to do with the LDS....he's just a slacker...you seem to imply something different.
 

TexasBred

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
TexasBred said:
Oldtimer said:
Yeh Heck McCain ain't worrying yet about where the money is coming for his $520 Ferragamo Loafers or his wifes $8000 dress outfits...These folks got to learn to suffer a little so these elitists can keep their lifestyles :wink: :p

OT..the McCain's earned it and can afford those things AND pay cash for them....As well as their 7 houses..or is it 8?? $100 tennis shoes charged to a Visa card and paid out at $10 a month is half the problem with this country now.

Yep and they and Sister Sarah with her $4700 hairdo's will really understand the problems facing folks that don't make $4700 in a month or two or three.... :???: :roll: :wink: :lol:

OT, you now everything else about Palin....did she come from a rich family??? Seems I remember her "working her way thru school" and trying for every scholarship she could get...(Who paid Obama's tuitition). McCain's dad was a navy man....big pay huh?? I don't think either of them have any problem relating to "Joe Six Pack or Joe the Plumber". How did John Kerry understand the problems as well?? You two faced turd.
 

don

Well-known member
thanks, texasbred, for that. your last phrase just made me break out laughing because it could be applied to all of us on here at one time or another.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
TexasBred said:
Oldtimer said:
TexasBred said:
OT..the McCain's earned it and can afford those things AND pay cash for them....As well as their 7 houses..or is it 8?? $100 tennis shoes charged to a Visa card and paid out at $10 a month is half the problem with this country now.

Yep and they and Sister Sarah with her $4700 hairdo's will really understand the problems facing folks that don't make $4700 in a month or two or three.... :???: :roll: :wink: :lol:

OT, you now everything else about Palin....did she come from a rich family??? Seems I remember her "working her way thru school" and trying for every scholarship she could get...(Who paid Obama's tuitition). McCain's dad was a navy man....big pay huh?? I don't think either of them have any problem relating to "Joe Six Pack or Joe the Plumber". How did John Kerry understand the problems as well?? You two faced turd.

Probably needed lots to keep up with all the colleges she dropped out of :roll: What was it 5 :???:
 
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