I know I'm supposed to be sullen...

[Yes We Did]

But I just can't do it.

I know I'm supposed to be down in the dumps over the economy... but I just can't go there.
I know I'm supposed to be cutting back on my spending... but I just can't do it.
(And it's not like I'm rich, because I'm far from it.)

The way I see it, all those things, all that behavior... that is exactly how they want us to feel. That is how they want us to act. They want us scared; they ALWAYS want us scared of something. It's called domestic terrorism. This time they're just attacking us with a different weapon. And one thing I have learned from our domestic terrorists in DC is to not be afraid of them.

So... I will continue to shop (although I've charged nothing - I've paid for everything ($600 and counting) by taking online surveys) and will continue to go on my merry way enjoying the holidays, enjoying the time I am spending with my loved ones, and enjoying buying gifts for everyone I care about.

Happy Holiday DU!

OH... and if any of you are interested in any of the survey clubs I use, PM me and I'll give you links to the sites... They are all free to join and I don't benefit from giving them to you in any way, aside from helping a few people out.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear demdog78!

Good for you! We make our own happiness, I think...

And fuck this domestic terrorism!

You've got that exactly right. They always want us to be scared of something, and that's how they control us.

That's why Obama's win was so important...

He fought against this domestic terrorism with a thing called hope!

K&R

:hi:

[Yes We Did]

3. Thank You.

You are absolutely right.

[DesertFlower]

2. enjoy yourself. nt

[Yes We Did]

4. I intend to.

I hope you do the same.

[Old Codger]

5. Right

Governments job is to lead, they either need to lead us away from some perceived danger and/or lead us to some solution/reward if they have no bogie men to protect us from they will invent one,whether it be economical, medical or some enemy from without ... When that fails they might actually have to do the real job they are supposedly entrusted with...And actually serve the people who elected them to do that very thing.

[liberalmuse]

6. Well, join the club.

I'm fucking ecstatic that Obama won, and I'm still riding on that wave almost 6 weeks after the fact. My Christmas gift was getting to be in the Universe where Obama became President. Can't ask for much more than that.

[Gundam Macross]

7. You've paid for everything by taking online surveys?

[Yes We Did]

11. Paid for a good chunk of my vacaton this summer too.

I'm going to post a thread with a list of them.

[Gundam Macross]

12. Thanks, in General Discussion?

[MazeRat7]

8. What choice do we actually have ?

My investments, which are part of my income, are in the crapper and the high-tech startup I work for is only funded until June (thank-you GS, BOA, LEH, C, et. al.)
I've been laid off twice in the past year but have managed to find work both times. Looks like 3 is a charm come Q1/Q2 of next year.

My mantra is "things are as they are. I can't choose what happens to me only how I react".

Like you I will be very frugal this season, but will still make sure my friends and family feel special. I will buy local and give something to like the salvation army as I do every year.

I'll be damned if I'm going to let all this get me down. But I won't bury my head in the sand either. There is a harsh new reality afoot, heed those words and prepare accordingly.

Good on you for passing along a much needed positive message!!! You certainly brought me a wee bit of comfort via a reminder this evening.

Peace,
MZr7

[Fumesucker]

9. Thanks to medical bills we don't have any money to spend..

But our daughter and son in law do.

I rode with my daughter today and we went shopping together, it was fun, she blew through about $600 and we filled up the back seat and cargo area of an Expedition.

Hit KB Toys up first, 30% off anything in the store,Soccer ball, 3 Razor scooters, High School Musical dolls and a bunch of Hot Wheels for the boy.

Then it was off to Ross for some clothes for the two girls and the boy really nice stuff for $10 or less, sometimes an entire outfit for that.

Targeted next was Target, bought a 21 speed aluminum frame 20" mountain bike for my eight year old granddaughter, my grandkids and I ride on the bike trail together and with gears she'll be able to ride a lot faster so we can go further than the ten miles we've done so far. I'd been looking in the stores and online for a few months and I knew Target had by far the best bike for the money in that size.. Eldest granddaughter can already ride my recumbent bike that's my avatar and knows how to use the gears and brakes, in fact I have to pry her off it when I want to ride :)

Then it was off to the lair of the Prince of Darkness, Walmart.. Picked up two more bikes for the younger grandkids, one boy's one girl's, found the only pink 18" girl's BMX bike they had in the store by going through a stack of boxes of the same bike for boys, bought a boy's version of the same thing.. These bigger bikes will let them ride with me on the trail more too, their little 16" bikes just make them pedal too fast..

Last we stopped by Gamestop and got Guitar Hero World Tour with a digital drumset and mic for their Wii.. and a few other mostly used games..

Everyone is covered for Christmas with the major emphasis on the kids and my daughter did it for about a half of what she has in the past she told me.

As for me, I'm gonna go spend maybe a hundred dollars on the grandkids a day or two before Christmas when the prices have really cratered..

Everybody else is getting best wishes or gifts I make.

[DeepBlueC]

10. all these people "cutting back" are bad for the economy, aren't they?

It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy when people who can afford to do so stop spending because it isn't seemly.

[firedupdem]

13. I pm'd you...definitely interested in those sites...extra money

would come in handy right now!

[rhiannon55]

14. I pm'ed you.

:)