i spend

So, this article talks about how American consumers are not helping their country get out of recession: "The idea that the American family will quickly spend us out of this recession is a fantasy. It won't happen." What is happening is that people are saving instead: "You look around, you see the closing stores, and you know someone needs to spend. Just not us."

People feel that they should save because their neighbors (haha) are losing their jobs. But if they aren't, and if their job is secure, maybe spending isn't such a bad thing. Right now, prices are generally low, so you get okay bang for your buck. Also, to save it for the short term wouldn't give you much return on your investment compared with historical savings rates; after all, the stock market is pretty dismal right about now. Not to mention you would be doing your country a (small) patriotic favor, and also the global economy.

This is what I've been doing, sort of, patriot that I am. Never have I shopped more online than I did in the past year. If you're a smart shopper, you will find some pretty sweet deals. And if you're not concerned about losing your job, you really aren't losing much. As they say in the housing industry, it's a buyer's market.