"Saying ‘no’ may be best gift for grown kids" by Michelle Singletary | December 10, 2009
Also for Banksters and War Looters!!
Let me ask you: When should parents turn off the financial spigot for adult children?
Usually during the holiday season, I get a lot of questions about what to give someone for Christmas or how much to spend. This year the questions center mostly on how and when to help someone out. The notes are particularly heartfelt from parents, many of whom are also in a bind. A lot of adult children now dealing with unemployment or college loans or unbearable credit card debt are beelining it to their parents.
I received a note during an online discussion from a mother struggling to determine if it’s time to cut off her subsidies to her 22-year-old son, who is attending college. The mother says she’s borrowed $125,000 to cover tuition and off-campus housing for her son, who is an out-of-state student. He has been in school since 2006, has received mediocre grades and has had to repeat many of his courses. He recently told his mother he has another three years of school before he can earn his degree. Oh, and by the way, the son is working full time earning $30,000 a year.
What, he gambling it away? Drug problem?
“No matter what, he constantly complains he doesn’t have enough money,’’ the mother wrote. “He doesn’t save anything and then gets mad at me when I tell him ‘no’ or when I explain that I don’t have any money. He’s a good kid. He works hard on his job, but he thinks my money is endless.’’
Does he sniff and rub his nose a lot?
Some of you already know what you would do in this situation. I certainly do. It’s time to cut the purse strings.
Tell it to he BANKS and WAR LOOTERS!!!!
But there are parents who can’t do that.
And GOVERNMENTS, too!!!!
They feel they have to help until they’ve been drained dry. They continue to take out large loans so their children can eke through college. They can’t say no.... But you also can’t let people - even your children - take advantage of your willingness to help if there is plenty of evidence in front of you they aren’t willing to change and become better money managers or contribute to their own financial well-being.
I'm getting a little annoyed (as I always do when I shop), readers -- and not because of the kid!
The mother thinks her son needs to leave school. She’s right.
Related: Some Things Are More Important Than School
Yeah, who would want to waste time at school?She’s borrowed more than enough for an adult who isn’t doing well in the classroom.
Oh, so LIKE GOVERNMENT SPENDING, this loan was all a DEBT-INDUCING WASTE!!!
Perhaps if he’s forced to pay for his own tuition, he’ll do what it takes to finish in less than six or seven years.
Why would he want to exit school? It's brainwashing, but it is fun!
If you are struggling with this issue, shut off the spigot. “No’’ can be the most powerful word in the language. Use it.
With the BANKSTERS and the WAR LOOTERS!! Be good to the kids!!!!
--more--"
"Hopes raised for recovery; Amid good signs, holiday spending off to a slow start" by Martin Crutsinger and Anne D’Innocenzio, Associated Press | December 12, 2009
WASHINGTON - Just in time for Christmas, the fragile economic recovery is showing signs of strengthening: Consumers are spending, companies are rebuilding stockpiles, and Chinese exports are mounting a comeback.
Data released yesterday eased some worries about Americans’ willingness to spend this holiday season. But stores remain worried that they may have to offer deeper discounts than planned, perhaps as early as this weekend, because of mediocre sales so far. Most stores have reported lackluster results for the start of the holiday season, so the Commerce Department’s retail sales report for November was encouraging....
Translation; The government and MSM are lying to you to try and boost sales and keep you from realizing how s***ty this economy really is.... and they soon prove it:
Shoppers crowded malls for deep discounts over Thanksgiving weekend, but many consumers have been slow to return. Some analysts say the industry could suffer its second straight year of holiday-season sales declines. The two weeks since Thanksgiving have been especially tepid....
Please keep this in mind for the later contradictions, 'er, lies, 'er, revisions, 'er, you know what I mean.
Many are counting on a strong sales rebound this weekend. If that does not happen, they may have to cut prices further.
Didn't this article lead with "just in time for Christmas, the fragile economic recovery is showing signs of strengthening: Consumers are spending, companies are rebuilding" blah,blah,blah, pfffft?
--more--"
Well, a NEWSPAPER SUBSCRIPTION will NOT be a GIFT anyone gets from ME!
Christmas shopping a bit bleak downtown due to vacant section
So what isn't vacant?
"Inflation warning signs not yet worrying Fed; Bernanke expects slow recovery to keep prices down" by Martin Crutsinger, Associated Press | December 16, 2009
WASHINGTON - Electronics chain Best Buy predicted yesterday that its profits will be squeezed as shoppers veer toward cheaper laptops and TVs....
--more--"I'm not going in there for that; those days are over. I'm tired of items that are obsolete the minute I take them away from the counter.
"The worsening outlook was something of a surprise."
How come the "experts" are always saying that?
And I just can't find anything, readers:
"Holiday discounts won’t be extra deep; Better planning eases the panic at major stores" by Anne D’Innocenzio, Associated Press | December 17, 2009
NEW YORK - If you were hoping to find massive clearance sales as you finish your holiday shopping, prepare to be disappointed.
I sure am! There is NOTHING on the SHELVES!!!
Major stores that had worried it would take across-the-board discounts to lure shoppers are backing away from the panic button. They planned better this year in stocking their merchandise, and Americans are spending a little more than expected.
Oh, here comes the s*** shovel.
Sales last week were up 18 percent from the week before, and a little more than 1 percent higher than a year earlier, according to figures released yesterday by the research firm ShopperTrak....
That should help fourth-quarter profits....
Keep that in mind for later, please.
For stores, the success of the holiday shopping season depends on the week before Dec. 25, which accounts for about a quarter of holiday sales, according to ShopperTrak. The Saturday before Christmas usually rivals the day after Thanksgiving, the traditional start of holiday shopping....
Then THIS YEAR is looking DISMAL!!!!
And stores have reason for some optimism: Shoppers don’t seem as far along in their gift-buying as they were last year at this point, according to both the National Retail Federation and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Give it a few days; that WILL turn to PANIC because WE AIN'T BUYING THIS YEAR! I sent CHECKS to CHARITIES as GIFTS this year!!!
Shoppers, though, have stuck to their lists and bought discounted practical items like socks, pajamas, and microwaves, but have opened their wallets for discounted electronics. Online shopping has been another bright spot.
You guys ever get tired of shoveling s***, agenda-pusher?
Retailers are pinning hopes on shoppers like Marney Bilodeau, who said she’s cramming all her holiday buying in this week and next....
NOT ME I hope!
--more --"
Gee, I've been inside for hours now, haven't bought a thing, and am hungry.
Let's get something to eat, huh?
