Retailers Aim for a Head Start on Holidays - Kiplinger

I was slightly disturbed when my husband and I were at the mall three weekends ago and saw Christmas trees and decorations at Von Maur department store... I guess they're not the only retailer to move Christmas merchandise early.

Retailers Aim for a Head Start on Holidays - Kiplinger

What does this mean for a thrifty consumer? Don't buy yet, wait until later in the season when retailers have to markdown because of their high inventory levels.

Who knows, maybe next year it really will be Christmas in July at the mall!

Are we taking longer to grow up?

This was quite an article. It discusses how it seems to be taking longer for the generation now in our 20's and 30's to "grow up." According to researchers, the five traditional milestones for adulthood are; completing school, leaving home, becoming financially independent, getting married and having a child. According to census data, in 1960, a much larger percentage of Americans had reached those milestones by age 30 than do today. The impacts of this change are affecting everything from health insurance regulation to fertility rates.

What is it about 20-Somethings?

Maybe my thrifty tips will help some people work on the "becoming financially independent" milestone!

Spending=Happiness?

Artwork from the New York Times

I read an interesting article in the New York Times today.  Studies have shown that when we spend our money on experiences instead of "stuff," we are happier. To paraphrase a quote from the article, it's better for your emotional health to spend money on a memorable vacation with a loved one than on a new couch. It has also been found that the anticipation and planning for a purchase is a big part of the enjoyment you get. I agree with this article. For me, half the fun of a trip or a big purchase is the planning, research, list-making.... you get the idea. And my husband and I definitely spend more of our discretionary money on experiences than "stuff," which is why a lot of what I write about is how to save money on that stuff!

Article about spending money and happiness