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*Last week I filled up my gas tank for under $25. Gas prices are just under $1.85 per gallon around my way. Whatever you do, President-elect Barack Obama, don’t tamper with gas prices. For once in four years they finally are headed in the right direction.
So far the recession is working for me. But I have to remind myself it’s not all about me. At a time when overspending has become as American as playing soccer and eating French fries, some people have had to redefine their priorities.
I stopped shopping at the mall years ago. I expected more value for my dollar than any mall store was willing to give. In other words the merchandise wasn’t cheap enough. Or I could just say there was more month left at the end of my money than I was comfortable with. And apparently millions of others are experiencing the same. The credit crunch has caused shoppers to abandon regular retail spending habits. Some stores don’t have the sales volume to keep their doors open. And that means they’re either going out of business or closing some locations to avoid going out of business.
When retail stores close their doors people lose their jobs. That’s the bad news. And what’s worse, gift cards connected to those outlets become void and the possibility of getting refunds on transferring leftover value is next to impossible. Just as some companies have ceased to extend credit, don’t extend credit to them by holding onto unused gift cards in anticipation of last minute holiday sales. Do your shopping now. If you wait too long it could be too late.
If you haven’t kicked the shopping habit and want a good excuse to spend money, great deals are in abundance at some retail stores that probably won’t be around by the end of the year. High end clothing and jewelry stores all the way to suppliers of home improvement items are lowering prices or closing locations. And that’s good news for you.
When retail outlets reduce their inventory surplus items are donated to second-hand stores and sold for dimes on the dollar. Last week I paid $18 for a leather jacket (it’s not a typo) at a Salvation Army clothing store. I’m not sure if it was brand new or just lightly used. And frankly my dear…
What I know for sure is while most people spend money they don’t have on things they don’t need to impress people they don’t like, I’d rather look good and smell better for dimes on the dollar.
Steffanie Rivers is a free-lance journalist living in the Dallas, Texas metroplex. For speaking engagements, questions or comments contact her at teamtcbadvertising@hotmail.com