Comments on: Future Economy: The Real Reason Why I Didn’t Shop on Black Friday

By: …..Links for Your Linking Pleasure 8…. « Community of the Risen

…..Links for Your Linking Pleasure 8…. « Community of the Risen — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:28 +0000

[...] 3. How would you answer Andrew Jone’s million dollar question? I would begin a house school where a group of one hundred students learn within the context of their community. They would shadow professionals in the field, learn job skills in relation to their field, and study what they are interested in. I don’t have all the detail worked out, but it would be a place where community service would be part of the curriculum. We would save money by using no textbooks and having the majority of the research done in public libraries. Students would be in charge of making lunches for the students in low-cost fashion. Jones also talks about five ways that churches can overcome the recession we are in. His views reflect many of theings I have said in the past (here, here, and here). If this isn’t enough, also check out Kathleen’s post on this subject. [...]

By: TechnoEarthMama » Future Economy: Needs vs. Wants

TechnoEarthMama » Future Economy: Needs vs. Wants — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:55:29 +0000

[...] Comments Marlena on Future Economy: The Real Reason Why I Didn’t Shop on Black FridayDanny on Future Economy: The Real Reason Why I Didn’t Shop on Black FridayPandemonic on Future [...]

By: Marlena

Marlena — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:35:03 +0000

Hi,
Great piece. I *did* shop-but only for a very few things–and, actually, they were things that we needed and were going to have to get. What *I* have been doing, to correspond with your wonderful article, is to begin to sell stuff on craigslist. I have sold about six things we no longer need or which were given to us and we never used–and so some kid is going to be playing basketball, two playing dungeons & dragons, another a taekwondo punching bag, etc. How very fun–those kids won’t know those are not brand new (okay, the d & d boxes were brand new), and how grand. I’ve thought your thoughts for a while–and so appreciate your way with articulating such thoughts!

By: Danny

Danny — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:07:53 +0000

Thanks for these thoughts!

They remind me of many of my own. As a community, we need to continue working towards these things.

Danny’s last blog post..….Links for your Linking Pleasure 6…..

By: Pandemonic

Pandemonic — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:35:42 +0000

No gifts this year. Or very few. We’ve been hit hard too, but it’s not just that. The wanting of more-more-more is too much.

Pandemonic’s last blog post..NaNo Update

By: Corina

Corina — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 09:44:41 +0000

Our Christmas this year will be spent together with very few if any gifts because the little money that is available will be spent on air fare so my kids can be here with me. We’ll be together for a few days. That’ll be Christmas enough.

Corina’s last blog post..Black Friday Memories

By: kmcdade

kmcdade — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:20:31 +0000

That reminds me of one more thought — sometimes you’ll see an ad or an article that urges you to cut back on Christmas gifts and give to charity instead. Well, for a lot of us that isn’t really an option — we weren’t going to spend a lot on Christmas anyway. Or at least we don’t have a lot of cash on hand. So for those who are strapped, remember that just keeping it simple and not charging a bunch of stuff on a credit card just to keep up is just fine, too. You don’t HAVE to have money going somewhere, just because it’s Christmas.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:41:17 +0000

I’ve been poor enough for long enough that it makes me feel sick to look around and see how many people drive $40,000 cars– it’s just… gluttonous. Embarrassing. A terrific waste. I look at the new cars and the McMansions and I see how many people could have eaten with $40k. How many people could actually live in a 4,000 square foot house (that’s probably, in reality, occupied by all of four people).

I have never, ever done Black Friday. I can’t imagine what possesses people to voluntarily submit to that kind of madness. Some poor guy temping for Wal-Mart was killed today, trampled by people waiting for the doors to open. The same people who stepped over his dead body to buy some piece of junk complained when management closed the store down because of the death– said they’d been waiting in line and wanted their stuff.

Jackie’s last blog post..LIVE From THANKSGIVING!!!