A Sign of the Times?
Posted: Monday, November 17, 2008
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
My monthly paycheck had finally made it into my bank account, so I thought I would go out and do some well-overdue shopping-mainly groceries. For I, like most people today, am afraid to splurge on that coveted big-screen television or that want-but-don't-need digital movie camera.
As I parked in the shopping center parking lot, I noticed that I didn't have to drive around for twenty or thirty minutes looking for the most convenient parking space. The lot was noticeably empty. For a minute I looked around wondering if the shopping mall had closed down for some reason. A few months ago, parking on a Friday would be at a premium, so this was something quite strange. At any rate, I found a parking slot right in front of the first store I wished to enter, parked and went inside.
Every day and everywhere I go, I can't help but puzzle over the emptiness of the parking lots and the stores themselves. No longer do I have to stand in line outside a restaurant door waiting to be seated-whether it's Sunday after Church or Friday evening for dinner. There just doesn't seem to be the bustling crowds on these pre-Holiday streets as in previous years. Are we really headed for the economic crunch that the economists have been predicting for the past weeks? If the stores and parking lots are any indication, I would say we will be in big trouble and very soon.
It is all one vicious circle-if people don't spend, stores and businesses go under and when stores and businesses fail, people lose jobs and when people lose jobs, there is no money to spend and so, back around we go again. Do we dare to hope that our new leaders will be able to curtail the domino effect that is threatening our country today?
Although my husband and I, like a lot of people, are on a steady retirement income-as long as our government doesn't collapse completely, we will have our monthly income, but we still feel the effects of a nation built on sand. We, too, are afraid to spend money for things we can live without-extravagances that we would normally acquire if it were something we wanted. Now we hold back on purchases with a wait-and-see attitude that seems to be the norm for everyone at this time. And here we contribute-albeit unintentional-to the ever decreasing stability of our economy.
If asked, I would have to say "Yes. The signs are there and if I read them right, the signs do not bode well for our ailing country." And if asked "What can one person do?" I would have to say that it all starts with just one person and that person should start in his/her neighborhood, community, town, and volunteer for support groups that work to make their community a better place for all its inhabitants. Get involved. If you got out and voted in this past election, you have taken the first step toward change. Keep abreast of what is going on in your community and nationally; support the changes for the better and voice your opinion about changes to which you disagree. Change may start with one person but soon becomes all people.
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Sandra E. Graham, author, AMOS JAKEY and NICOLINA published by American Book Publishing. I also write book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures. Visit my website for more information on my books that are in print now and reviews I have written.
http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com
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More comments"Change may start with one person but soon becomes all people." Sandra E. Graham
Sandra, well-said! I agree with you wholeheartedly. It takes involvement and community. Community is worldwide, too just as neighbors are not restricted to the ones living next door.
Yes, the signs are all around us.
Be well and blessings to you.
AvisThanks so much, Avis. You are right, we are all one big community---our 'big blue marble.'Sandra
All I can say Sandra is I to see what you are saying.I voted so lets see what comes about.I'm working on my part,work at shelters and boy are they hard pressed.Money tight so guess what, is left out first? Again thanks enjoyed the article greatly.God sees you, girl! Thanks so much for every thing you do. Bless you.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
Very depressing look at the world today. If I have money to get food I am fine.Depressing, but reality. I'm looking forward to the 'change' we have been promised. And yes, for right now, I am happy to be able to buy food and pay my bills on time. Thanks for reading and commenting, Greg.Sandra
Sandra,It's all a part of the ups and downs of life, and unfortunately, probably the biggest problem is too much living for the present and not enough looking to the future, meaning, the really serious current need to be more fiscally responsible. Today people have to be much more aware of finances and making the necessary investments to ward off eventual and inevitable downturns than ever before. Too many spend, spend, spend, when times are good only to have nothing when the inevitable down turns come. A financial adviser once told me the poor and middle class spend on things the rich invest. Most are wealthy because of fiscal self-accountability. But even some of the rich make poor choices.I have a friend who went from spending $100,000 on vacations, $,10,000 on resorts, and $2,000 on basketball games to bankruptcy. He could have paid off his home with all that extra money he was blowing, now he is going to loose it.My wife and I have learned a lot about money. Recently, we moved into a new home while my wife has quit her job and now we are living on what I make with the business. A business that is not restricted to local or even national whim with multiple streams of income.Today we really have to plan and work hard not only to spend on the temporary future but the far future. Financial advisers tell us that we need to save (and I know for many Americans that's a four-letter word) enough in a disaster account that we can live on for at least three months, if need be. It takes work, planning, and sacrifice, but it can be done. It really comes down to the individual to see what he or she needs to do not only for personal financial well being but to guard against having to be a burden on family, friends, country.Thanks for the heads-up.Being retired, my husband and I are living on our retirement---luckily we began planning for this day many years ago. Too many young people don't realize that retirement comes all too soon and they should begin preparing now--I preach this to my children every day.Thanks for reading and commenting, Jeff.Sandra
Sandra, this is so true! It is a vicious cycle. When I went to pick up Art's med's before he left for AZ, I was talking with our good friend, the pharmacist. He asked if Art was staying busy,"Well as a matter of fact..." I went on to tell him. I told him how tough it was because poeple are afraid to remodel their homes, and when they do, they expect a ridiculously cheap price. I told him I don't fault the people but in doing so, they ruin it for everyone. What might normally cost $1800 dollars and is reasonable, people expect a contractor to do it for $1000 and in a desparate need for income they do it. It's crazy people expect to make good money for their job well done, but they don't want to pay someone good money for a well-done service. SO as a result a highly skilled contractor in normal times might make $25-30 per hour is now forced to make $10. It's not fair, but it is the way it works. Do you know what he said to me? So if I have money and want to remodel, now is the time to get a good deal"? Knowing my husband was leaving in a few days because of this kind of thinking, really ticked me off. I had to bite my tongue and politely say, "I guess so".We do need to be wise, but I think we also need to remain fair. Sorry, to rant, but I do hope it gives a perspective from the other side of the coin.Thanks for a well-written, thought provoking article. I do hope it challenges all of us to make well-balanced choices.It is sad sometimes. When we see what is happening in our country, it is so hard not to get depressed--even if we are getting by comfortably. I heard one news commentator say that gas prices can't go down too low and stay too long or the economy will suffer even more. Hopefully, we can get back some of the huge amounts we had to spend on gas a few months back before it goes back up again. And hopefully it will stay at a more reasonable level and not try to break the working man completely. When will the world understand that if one product goes up, everything else has to follow suit--this creates the vicious circle.Thanks for reading and commenting, Teresa, and yes, we must all learn to make 'well-balanced choices'.SandraP.S. Good luck to Art in AZ. I will be praying for him.
Out here in Hawaii we feel things a little slower then the mainland, the recession is just starting to rear it's head. I think you are right, community involvement is the answer. A strong community can weather any kind of storm.Hopefully things will turn around soon. Thanks for reading and commenting, David.Sandra
What many don't know and can't see as yet many well known stores will be shutting down right after the New Year and some will keep just those that are profitable open. A brand new strip mall has two stores GOOB and the rest following. In fact there have been warnings not to use gift cards or refunds because they just may not be honored If you throw in what will happen with local governments, like in Florida [which has an estimated 2.5 million budget shortfall expected and that is a wild guess] next year will be a real stunner for many who are living good right now and evidently oblivious to it all. How very sad that we accept this and allow it. Fear, is only pertinent when we sit back and do nothing and evidently that is what we are doing? We prefer to hope while the house burns down all around. I'm reminded of that joke said 100 times over. Lord why didn't you save me from the flood? The Lord said I warned you well enough in advance. and you did nothing. I sent a boat and you refused, I sent a helicopter and you refused, etc, get the message? Good article as usual. Regards, Robert.Thanks so much, Robert, for reading and commenting. Yes, the signs are all there--we have been warned.Sandra
Sandra, you've done it again. You know how to connect. I love the upbeat ending, for I know from my family's history that it has been worse than this and it is possible to keep a positive attitude. I still marvel at what I know about my family before I was born when my older brothers were teenagers: my father supported my mother, my two growing brothers, and my mother's mother on far less than others in the family had during that period still referred to as the Great Depression. The others struggled, but owned their homes and had secure jobs, and my dad did not. I know the family moved a couple of times for better work or better hopes. I hope that some of today's children will be so blessed as to be raised by uncomplaining parents who always remember to laugh and who trust God in quiet and level-headed ways. Thanks for another terrific article.Thank you so much, Jane. I have great faith that we will weather this storm just as our parents and grandparents weathered the 'Depression Era'. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.Sandra
Sadly only to get worse before it gets better and sadly once again for many the end and the bottom.Thanks for reading and commenting, Robert.Sandra
Hello my friend, I loved this article and i too have been on a hold up and see if anyone else will step forward and keep the spending going. i have been in a holding pattern four about four months because My husband has been sick and they thought he might have cancer.We were blessed to find out that it was a terrible infection and he will be fine but you think how can the bills get paid if the livelihood is taken away. I will continue to do my volunteer work using flowers to bring joy to people and am now getting dolls ready to give at christmas. We have to help one another and reach out to others not just remain on hold. Great article! I have missed you my friend. Hope you are well!nancy greenHello, Nancy. So good to hear from you. I had a wonderful time at the Booksigning in Piggott--sorry I didn't get to see you there. Hope to make it to Charles' for the next bookclub meeting--although, I don't know where he lives. Hope someone will send us directions.Take care and I hope all is better with you and your loved ones.Sandra
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