Random Thoughts at the end of Thanksgiving Weekend
Good Sunday morning,
Wow, what a week this has been.
In our country, we celebrated what I consider to be our most beautiful, wonderful holiday, Thanksgiving. In India, there were many lives lost, lots of scary moments and their world will never be the same. In Long Island, NY, an employee was trampled to death as frenetic shoppers bombarded a Walmart store for bargains. What's the world coming to?
Personally, I flew to Portland, ME, just a 50 minute flight from JFK, so I could spend Thanksgiving with my sister. I mean, who wants to be alone on turkey day? And, she's a great cook. Even though vegetarian, she makes the best turkey dinner. It was fabulous. The only things missing for me .... I couldn't take any leftovers home with me AND my son was far away and not with me. Other than that, it was a great trip. I even got to shop at LLBean ... what a store.
Now, on the international front ... how do I feel, how does it all impact us, the baby boomers?
Although I like to keep my head in the sand, I occasionally have to look up, turn on the TV, buy the NY Times and be a realist. I see my funds dwindling, I see some of my clients pulling away due to their need to trim budgets. As a self-employed person, I can't deny that it's a bit daunting...even scary. But, if I give it a lot of power, I'll hide under my blankets and not come out. So, yes, we are in an economic decline and that IS impacting most of my boomer counterparts.... big time. And, I am remaining as calm and optimistic as I can. I occasionally rant, have a negative thought and then go to a funny movie or hook up with friends to laugh and enjoy my life.
Boomers, many of whom are not ready to retire, are really between a rock and a hard place. First, many of them are being forced to retire as companies face massive lay-offs. Second, their pensions are dwindling and they would prefer to continue earning for as long as possible. Third, they are sometimes caught in a need to continue supporting adult children who are also losing their jobs, watching their savings dwindle... and all in a holiday season.
Speaking of holidays. How about if we actually put a limit on folks about their idiotic spending? I mean, do your kids/grandkids really need 10 new toys? Can they do with 5? You know, when I was a therapist, I used to urge families to be honest with their kids about financial, health and other concerns. I don't believe in keeping it secret. I'm not saying you should scare them to death... but I am saying that you should be realistic with them. For example, you could sit them down and say something like this: "We want you to know that we are having a bit of a tough time financially. (If one of the parents has lost a job, say so.) So, we're asking you to be patient and understanding with us. Please limit your Christmas/Chanukkah lists.. keep them small. Please understand we can only buy a couple of things for you. And, we're going to eat at home more and not eat out so much. How about you help us come up with other ideas to save money?"
And, speaking of holidays, please remember that some people have nothing AND are experiencing great pain at this time. Although you might be juggling, don't stop being generous with others. Adopt a family for the holiday, invite the "strays" to share their day with you. Drop food off to an elderly neighbor. You get the picture. There's an important fact here: When you shift your attention to others less fortunate, reach out and help them, it's amazing how much smaller your own issues become AND you feel good. End of sermon.
About the shopping thing: If the bargain is here today only, DON'T push and shove... be patient. If you don't get the buy, wait a few days .. it will go on sale again. Is getting the best bargain worth stampeding and killing someone? And, here's a question for you: Who's fault is it that the employee at WalMart got killed? Is it Walmart's fault? Was it their greed to open at 5:00 AM with the draw of bargains and get people worked up? Or is it merely the fault of the individuals who in their desperation acted in despicable ways? I'd love your comments....
So, I guess this is a long enough rant. I've been gone a few days and am clearly making up for it all.
I'll be more connected to you.
Please share this with your friends. I truly want to build my readership.
Have a great Sunday and an even better week!
Ann
Wow, what a week this has been.
In our country, we celebrated what I consider to be our most beautiful, wonderful holiday, Thanksgiving. In India, there were many lives lost, lots of scary moments and their world will never be the same. In Long Island, NY, an employee was trampled to death as frenetic shoppers bombarded a Walmart store for bargains. What's the world coming to?
Personally, I flew to Portland, ME, just a 50 minute flight from JFK, so I could spend Thanksgiving with my sister. I mean, who wants to be alone on turkey day? And, she's a great cook. Even though vegetarian, she makes the best turkey dinner. It was fabulous. The only things missing for me .... I couldn't take any leftovers home with me AND my son was far away and not with me. Other than that, it was a great trip. I even got to shop at LLBean ... what a store.
Now, on the international front ... how do I feel, how does it all impact us, the baby boomers?
Although I like to keep my head in the sand, I occasionally have to look up, turn on the TV, buy the NY Times and be a realist. I see my funds dwindling, I see some of my clients pulling away due to their need to trim budgets. As a self-employed person, I can't deny that it's a bit daunting...even scary. But, if I give it a lot of power, I'll hide under my blankets and not come out. So, yes, we are in an economic decline and that IS impacting most of my boomer counterparts.... big time. And, I am remaining as calm and optimistic as I can. I occasionally rant, have a negative thought and then go to a funny movie or hook up with friends to laugh and enjoy my life.
Boomers, many of whom are not ready to retire, are really between a rock and a hard place. First, many of them are being forced to retire as companies face massive lay-offs. Second, their pensions are dwindling and they would prefer to continue earning for as long as possible. Third, they are sometimes caught in a need to continue supporting adult children who are also losing their jobs, watching their savings dwindle... and all in a holiday season.
Speaking of holidays. How about if we actually put a limit on folks about their idiotic spending? I mean, do your kids/grandkids really need 10 new toys? Can they do with 5? You know, when I was a therapist, I used to urge families to be honest with their kids about financial, health and other concerns. I don't believe in keeping it secret. I'm not saying you should scare them to death... but I am saying that you should be realistic with them. For example, you could sit them down and say something like this: "We want you to know that we are having a bit of a tough time financially. (If one of the parents has lost a job, say so.) So, we're asking you to be patient and understanding with us. Please limit your Christmas/Chanukkah lists.. keep them small. Please understand we can only buy a couple of things for you. And, we're going to eat at home more and not eat out so much. How about you help us come up with other ideas to save money?"
And, speaking of holidays, please remember that some people have nothing AND are experiencing great pain at this time. Although you might be juggling, don't stop being generous with others. Adopt a family for the holiday, invite the "strays" to share their day with you. Drop food off to an elderly neighbor. You get the picture. There's an important fact here: When you shift your attention to others less fortunate, reach out and help them, it's amazing how much smaller your own issues become AND you feel good. End of sermon.
About the shopping thing: If the bargain is here today only, DON'T push and shove... be patient. If you don't get the buy, wait a few days .. it will go on sale again. Is getting the best bargain worth stampeding and killing someone? And, here's a question for you: Who's fault is it that the employee at WalMart got killed? Is it Walmart's fault? Was it their greed to open at 5:00 AM with the draw of bargains and get people worked up? Or is it merely the fault of the individuals who in their desperation acted in despicable ways? I'd love your comments....
So, I guess this is a long enough rant. I've been gone a few days and am clearly making up for it all.
I'll be more connected to you.
Please share this with your friends. I truly want to build my readership.
Have a great Sunday and an even better week!
Ann
Labels: BAby boomers, holiday shopping, tough economy, Walmart
posted by Ann Fry, Head Boomer at
10:25 AM
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