Whisper's Blog

Everyone of the etrade baby commercials has been entertaining and informative, but mostly cute. What do you think?

Years ago in a counseling session I was told that what others think of me is none of my business. The counselor went on to say that worrying about what others think of me is a waste of time and energy. I think she was right.

I have to be responsible for my life and my decisions. If I decide to change my hair color, or even shave my head that is my decision, and I get to live with the consequences. What I wear, what I think, what I do for a living, what, (if any), religion I practice, what political party, charity, or lifestyle I support is my business. I choose to do the things I do, and I get to live with my choices. Unless my choices infringe on another person’s rights, or breaks the law I am free to make my choices and follow through on them.

Everytime I hear someone on the news comment on what other nations think of America, (like it’s supposed to have some great impact on us as a nation), my blood boils. What do I care if another country hates us. Why does America care if other nations don’t approve of our decisions. If our actions don’t infringe on their rights, or break some international law that impacts the world what they think is none of our business. I really hate to see America become a nation of people pleasers; the kind who spend their time worrying about what other people think of us. That is such a junior high school attitude, which might be the norm when you’re twelve or thirteen years old, but it really has no place in an adult world.

I believe that no matter what I do, or say there will be those who don’t like me, and who don’t approve of me. I think the same is true about everyone, including nations. America needs to do what it thinks is right, and not worry about its image in the world. When other nations’ opinions begin to influence how we act and react to any given situation, we might as well give it up, and call ourselves The United States of whatever country we are currently cowtowing to.

I don’t think I am perfect. I don’t think America is perfect, but I do believe we the people of this great nation have done our very best to live to a high standard of honor. We have stood for, faught and died for, and cherished those ideals we hold dear. If my neighbors don’t like the clothes I wear, the color of my hair, or the beliefs I have it really is their problem. My problem is trying to live according to my beliefs. America should afford itself the same right.
Just another American
Canda

The purpose of advertising is to promote your product or business name. Right? Right.

Businesses go to great lengths figuring out who they want to hear their messages and how to best target them. They spend hundreds of thousands of dollars coming up with ad campaigns to run in print, radio and on network and cable television. I am going to focus on the television aspect in this rant.

First we need to look at the concept of television programming. They produce new programs, rerun shows from yesterday, and air movies intermingled with news, weather and sports. They then get advertisers to pay for spots to advertise their products. This is how they make their money. It’s a sound principal and seems to work, or it used to.

Last summer a bunch of shows geared toward the Christmas season were shown. Mafia type movies including the Godfather Trilogy was run during the annual Veteran’s Day season. JFK, Harry Potter and Lord of the rings were featured during the Thanksgiving Holidays. Some stations did manage to run horror flicks during Halloween however.

It seems to me that if you want people to think Christmas and get into the spirit of Christmas gift giving, partying, and shopping, advertisers would sponsor programs that would bespeak the holiday. It is their dime after all. Without advertisers there is no money for programs. After this current Christmas season, and of course the Super Bowl comes Valentine Day. Advertisers should sponsor programs geared towards romance and love and all that warm fuzziness. I’ll bet that if the networks and cable came up with a programming schedule with that in mind beginning February 1st running through February 15th and the advertisers set up ad campaigns with the holiday in mind they would see a tremendous increase in revenue.

I know I am further promoting commercialising the holidays, but this is what our economy is based on. Besides that, I know I want chocolate everytime I watch a really good love story. Eating that chocolate makes me get up and go to the gym. Going to the gym makes me feel better about myself and I am more inclined to buy a new outfit and get my hair done. The new look I have makes me more confident and gets me more dates. The more dates I have promotes more flower sales, restaurant patronage, theater attendance, and night-clubbing. All these benefits to business were brought about by television stations running romance shows during the Valentine Day holidays.
See What I Mean?
Canda

How important are:

The latest fashion trends & hair styles
Seeing the latest movie
Owning the newest electronics
Driving a new car
Current interior decor designs
If you are in the business of creating or selling clothing, jewelry, shoes, or hair and make-up products then it’s probably very important that your look reflects the latest fad, but if your job isn’t related to the fashion or beauty industry then last year’s purchases should work out just fine. During this financial crunch you can learn what style and color best suits you and then develop your own identity. New styles and trends have never had everyone in mind. Learning to not be just another cut-out in the cookie jar of life might help you get through this economic trial and set you up to be a better money manager in the future.

Unless you’re dating and trying to impress someone, the need to attend first run movies should not be rated as a big necessity in your budget. Even if you are in the dating scene you might want to rethink the movie and dinner date. You might be afraid of being considered a cheap son-of-a-gun, but on the other hand if your budget only allows so much for entertainment and you blow it all on one date your only other alternative is to go into debt to pay for several outings during the month.

This same logic applies to families. Renting an older relase of a movie is far more practical for family night than going to the theater, even if it’s a cut-rate establishment. In a couple months the price of a movie ticket can be more than cut in half by renting and watching it then. If being able to discuss the latest movies is more important than living within your current budget; go for the gusto. Maybe the government will bail you out when you go belly-up.

“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” If it is broken, evaluate the cost of repair to the cost of replacement. Depending on the item, you might be surprised. Do you really need the fastest computer with the largest hard-drive. How important is it if your fridge doesn’t match your stove? It’s all a matter of perception. Maybe the truly important thing we all need to fix these days are our priorities.

Another thing to consider is how important multiple cell phones are. Does everyone in the family really need one? Is high-speed internet a necessity or a luxury? Do you really need all the extras in your cable or satellite television service. Perhaps basic is enough. I don’t know if I would reccommend going back to just local TV because of this move to the digital format. I don’t trust the powers that be to not be setting us up for another problem. Look at all the monthly obligations you have accumulated via the net, such as game sites, etc. Those monthly fees may well help stock your pantry. Instead of playing computer games perhaps you and the kids could take up reading. Libraries are still free to the public.

I know we are all supposed to be thinking green these days, but when your budget says no to a new car, and you are stuck driving what you have; screw guilt. A car payment can be devistating during a lay-off. There you are at home, jobless, receiving a small percentage of your regular income through unemployment checks, trying to make ends meet, with a nice new car in the driveway. You can’t eat a new ‘think green’ vehichle, and unless you’re living in it the thing won’t pay for a roof over your head. If your car is paid for be proud of it. Drive that old clunker with your head held high. If you really need to replace what you have, consider buying used. Stay within your budget. Remeber, the government is only concerned with bailing out big businesses who didn’t stick to a budget, and those dollars are going to be coming out of your paycheck sooner or later.

As far as redecorating your living quarters during a financial crisis there really isn’t much to be said. You can always rearrange the furniture to make it all seem new. Wash or clean the walls, vaccuum everything from top to bottom, and generally just make it all seem new and fresh. Decorating your living quarters is really just a need to nest. By doing a really thorough spring clean you’ll use up a lot of energy while fulfilling your needs.
Have a good budget day,
Canda

Women come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Some have long hair, others have short and medium hair lengths and some don’t have any hair at all. Our complexions differ, our likes and dislikes vary from woman to woman, but the one thing we all have in common is our right to be a woman.

Being a woman means different things to different women. Some think of it as a huge determining factor in who they are while others see it as just a way of differentiating between the sexes. No matter the importance placed on the subject as women we need to stand together and support each other in our right to be the woman that each of us wants to be.

For some women succeeding in their careers and meeting the work-related goals they are stiving to attain is of primary concern. Some women see their jobs as just a means of putting food on the table and have other priorities they deem more important. There are women who do not have a job outside of the home. Their priorities differ from some of their working and career minded sisters, but all these women are equally dedicated to accomplishing their individual goals.

Career oriented women spend long hours building their business or position, expanding their education, and developing contacts that can benefit their long-term goals. Their time and energy can become stretched very thin especially if they are trying to develop a career along with their obligations as a wife and mother. Financial stress for these women may revolve around production, technical, and employee costs. They might feel they are forced to live in a world where things are more expensive in order to attract clientelle. They may also develop resentments due to lack of time for family and friends.

Working women spend a good percentage of their week at work and in related travel time. They might not find their job all that fulfilling but they can benefit from outside interaction with co-workers. They might be a working mother or family caretaker. Their focus is quite often split as they find themselves juggling their work schedule with family and personal needs. Hourly wages create a fixed income and wage increases, (rarely based on performance), usually happen annually. These women can be faced with the added cost of child care. They also live with the potential of lay-offs during tough economic times. These women can develop resentments due to financial stress and not enough hours in the day.

Stay at home moms don’t have an outside job or career to focus on. In that area they may be putting a lot of time and energy into helping their mate develop his career. These women are the ones who more likely than not pick up the slack in their communities for the women who don’t have free time due to their employment obligations. They help out in educational facilities and other places that need volunteers. These women budget their finances on a one income household. They may develop resentments due to finances and a lack social interaction with other adults.

Looking at the three categories these women fall into it becomes quite obvious that women have a great deal in common. Though the situations vary; time, money and personal obligations and goals play a major role in each of their lives.

One woman may be able to run a major corporation, but not have a clue about organizing a neighborhood play-day. Some women might have the opportunity to attend a tea party hosted by their four year old, but not have the freedom to have lunch with the girls. Our right as women to choose the lifestyle that suits our particular needs should be applauded by all women. Women’s rights shouldn’t be limited to the legal right to receive equal pay, and recognition in the workplace. It should be based on the understanding that all women have the right to be themselves. We as women should be first in line to champion this cause and to support our sisters as each of us strives to fulfill our goals.
Equally yours,
Canda