Most of us still have jobs, still have good jobs. Most of us didn't run up our credit cards or hit the home equity ATM. We are still in OK shape, but the tendency right now is to "save just a little more". In our house Your Money or Your Life is a really good book, and we have been mostly following it.
But these are different times, we are in trouble because the whole economy is slowing down. Maybe if you have a little money you should think about spending some of it and not wait just a little longer for that really good bargain.
But there are right ways to spend that money and less right ways to spend that money.
In our household we are spending money if it is "local" and if it is "service intensive". We are NOT rushing off to Wall-Mart or buying that new car we don't need...even if it is a Hummer. Now a new hybrid or scooter might be a good idea.
Maybe it is a good time to get that massage. You’ll end up feeling good and most of what you spend goes into someone’s pocket where it will be spent in the community.
Maybe go get that hair cut a little bit more often. Go out to dinner a little more often. Maybe buy a few more gifts, a local craft would be just about perfect for that special person in your life...like everyone you appreciate.
Maybe it is time to spend some money on a long term investment.
A big one: hire someone improve the insulation in your house! Furnace getting old? Planning on upgrading your bathroom one of these days? Well today is your lucky day!
Put in new improved windows. You really can tell the difference and a crew of workers get a day's worth of work. Time to fix that leaky roof? Blacktop your driveway? Paint your house? Treat yourself, hire someone else to do that job you have been putting off. Put a little bit extra in that tip jar at the coffee shop.
Don't need anything? Your local soup kitchen does. Go buy a case of tuna fish and give it to them. Heck throw in a case or two of something else. Hey buy out the whole local grocery store.
Spend baby...spend! How does that commercial go? You have been saving all of your life, for what? I'll tell you what, to spend a little now, responsibly, to help us all out.