Save Money. Live Better

That's WalMart*s latest tag line.

Save Money. Live Better.

Just like NUTUBA over at http://nutuba.blogspot.com/ , it's hard to understand how someone can save money by spending money. I imagine the logic flows like this:

This GameBoy was $160 over at store A, but here at store W, it's $149. Think of how much money I saved!

Okay, let's be fair. I shop bargains. If I'm going to buy something, I want the best price. We all do. But I don't pretend I'm saving money by buying something cheaper. I'm merely spending less money. Tough semantics? Let's try another one.

The price of gas goes up. I stop driving my car, in favor of my bicycle. I'm spending less by actually using less. I'm saving money.

The Minister of Domestic Affairs also wants to spend less on gas, so she buys a new car that gets really good gas mileage. Saving money? Not really. Spending less on gas, I suppose.

In fact, when gasoline was $4 / gallon, we figured the amount of money she wasn't spending on gasoline was roughly equivalent to a car payment. That's cool!

But now gas is back down to $2....oh well. It was fun while it lasted.

So, Save Money. Live Better. I think we've beaten the "Save Money" part to within an inch of its life. Let's focus on the "live better" part.

I can only assume that the suggestion here is that we can live better with more stuff. Or we can buy more stuff (and live better) with the money we're saving by buying stuff.

Thomas Jefferson had lots of cool stuff. I've seen Monticello. I'm really familiar with UVA. He invented much of it, and created, or had his slaves create, much of it.

I have a lot of admiration for Mr. Jefferson, and recognize his limitations as a man.

He did have a mantra that I adopted in the early '90's...while on an aircraft carrier near the Gulf of Aden.

Spend some time every day devoted to the improvement of the mind, the body and the spirit.

My mantra was a little different: If you're not improving your mind, your spirit or your body, you're wasting your time.

There's been a lot of spinoff "mind body spirit" thinkers out there that embrace relaxation therapies that claim to help all three at the same time. Maybe there's merit to that, but I'm not afraid to approach these separately, knowing there's some synergy there somewhere.

Is gardening a waste of time? I can justify gardening as good for the body (health foods, days spent in sunshine), good for the mind (trying to outwit birds, rabbits, deer, and other garden pests) and the soul, understanding that the miracle of turning water into wine still happens to this very day, through the work of viticulturists....understanding that we cannot create life, only be stewards of a miracle that is given to us.

It's easy to justify a lot of activities as good for the mind, or the body, or the soul. And I can only think of a few that wouldn't qualify, without some creative explanation:

Watching trash TV. I'm guilty. I waste an hour a week on that. Granted, I'm usually shoulder-to-shoulder with my wife, and that's a really nice thing. But I could be reading, or cleaning, or cooking or practicing my guitar.

Blogging: Gadzooks...is this good for me at all? Maybe it's good therapy. Maybe it's just electronic narcissism. Help me here...

Buying stuff: We're so conditioned that he who dies with the most stuff wins, that we can't get past ourselves to stop the habits. I have plenty of stuff. I have plenty of stuff I wish I didn't have, and I certainly have plenty of stuff I didn't have to buy. I still buy stuff...a camelback for long bike rides, a Chinese-made fishing pole for my kids, a fondue pot, for that once every 3-year event.

Personal video games. Biggest time waster of all. I suppose I can let a Wii go...knowing that it's often played with other people around. That can be justified by calling it "togetherness." Drives me nuts, though, to be on a church camping trip, sitting around the fire, tuning up the ol' Fender, watching 9 faces completely taken by their own personal video game or blackberry.

Let us break bread toge....hey, you there, break bread before I break your iPod...

Remember the Archees?

Sugar, ah honey-honey...

So, while I'm handing out hints at what I want for Christmas (did I mention I bought the Minister of Domestic Affairs an American made ice scraper?), let me throw this one out:

Honey!

I use it for baking, for chili, for my breakfast toast, and stirred into my oatmeal.

I've used it on scrapes and cuts (raw honey acts as an antibiotic, and is the only thing that MRSA isn't resistant to).

And since I don't have bees, this year I'm giving out a New England specialty, maple syrup.

Maple syrup is simple, but time consuming. It takes about 40 gallons of maple sap (which is more like water) to boil off and make 1 gallon of syrup. Early in the season, late February or early March, it takes less...about 30:1 gallons to syrup. Late in March, the ratio was closer to 70:1

Lots of firewood and long days boiling off sap. But well worth it.

Last Spring, I made a maple glazed creme brulee, using honey instead of sugar, local eggs, local creme and a reduced maple glaze on top, in lieu of burnt sugar. What a treat!

And not only was this made in the USA, all the ingredients came from within 1 mile of my house.

Consider baked goods, or local foods (either given or received) as gifts this year. No clutter!

Nalgene Bottles

Marketing being what it is, the makers of stainless steel drinking bottles, bolstered by some science behind it, have made known that Nalgene bottles contain (or used to contain) BPA, or Bisphenol-A, and that we should avoid exposure to BPA. i.e., we should avoid buying nalgene drinking bottles, and buy their products instead.

Fair enough. Marketing's doing what it's supposed to do. Those stainless steel Klean Kanteens are selling like hotKakes. And maybe that's a good thing.

Problem is, those Klean Kanteens are manufactured in China, where they're not all that able to boast of their environmental stewardship. That might also explain the spelling problem.

I won't try to tell you that one product is safe over another. That's your own call. I'm not a scientist, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I can suggest that you use your head to figure these things out. As a good friend (and brother) mentioned in his blog, not everything on the internet is true and accurate.

This, for example, is from www.bisphenol-a.org

You decide:

"Researchers from government agencies, academia, and industry worldwide have studied the potential for bisphenol A (BPA) to migrate from polycarbonate products into foods and beverages. These studies consistently show that the potential migration of BPA into food is extremely low, generally less than 5 parts per billion under conditions typical for uses of polycarbonate products. At this level, a consumer would have to ingest more than 1,300 pounds of food and beverages in contact with polycarbonate every day for an entire lifetime to exceed the safe level of BPA set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consequently, human exposure to BPA from polycarbonate plastics is minimal and poses no known health risk."

Yeah, I don't really know what that means, either. Call me a cynic, but the simple fact that this research came from "government agencies, academia, and industry worldwide" raises my level of skepticism.

So, here's an option...a BPA-free Nalgene bottle that's made in the USA! It's called the Nalgene Triton.

Toast!

Up Against the Wahl (or Win it by a Whisker)

Since 1997, I've paid for 4 professional haircuts...maybe a total of $50.

In 1997, I bought a set of electric hair shears...the kind the old-time barbers, the real barbers (not that there's any shame in being a men's beautician) use.

Guys haircuts are pretty inexpensive. I don't think I've ever paid more than ten bucks plus tip. It used to average maybe 6 bucks in college. It was about that in the Navy. But a decent haircut in C'ville ran about ten dollars.

Roger Blatchford used to charge a buck-fifty for kids. $3.50 for adults. Summer Mohawks were free.

In the past 11 years, at ten bucks a pop, every three weeks...that's about $1,900 we've saved in my haircuts. Take out the cost of the machine, and the 4 haircuts I've had done professionally since 1997, and we still came out straight ahead.

AND, there's no waiting in line. And I'm pretty sure my barber knows me pretty well.

Wahl makes a great line of hair care appliances...shears, razors, trimmers, groomers, nose-hair cutters, beard edgers...

And Wahl makes them all right here in the United States.

If you're not comfortable with your spouse doing your hair, Wahl also makes dog trimmers, for when Scooby starts to look more like Shaggy.

Go get a haircut!

Finding my Balance

Or my New Balance, I should say.

After a quick online search, and a recommendation from a friend, I've learned that New Balance makes many of their shoes in one of six US factories. I'm not sure, yet, which models are made here, but the New Balance web site tells us that they won't mark them with "Made in USA" unless they contain 70% or more of domestic products. Some components of running shoes apparently aren't readily avaialble in the United States.

I'll buy that.

And, New Balance owns Dunham, maker of work boots and shoes. At least some of their product line is still manufactured competitively in the United States. Good for them.

This Vacuum Sucks

Yes it does, it's a Shop-Vac brand, and it's made here in the good ol' US of A. Because the vacuum motor isn't in the path of things that are picked up, you can easily suck of ball bearings, pet hair, and small children* without damage to the machine or worry of plugging up the works.

*don't try this at home, or anywhere for that matter.

And because the suction path doesn't pass through the motor, you can suck up liquids, too. It's great for big spills, overflows and minor floods.

Look for the Union Libel

So, I won't get all political on you here, but I gotta tell you that I'm not a big fan of unions. That's no secret to folks who know me. It's not a popular stance among many. That's okay. This ain't no beauty contest.

Here's the conundrum: Many items that are still made in the USA are made by labor unions. Textiles, automobiles (do they still make cars in the US?), microwave ovens and work boots. All made by unions.

I don't want to put anyone out of a job. In fact, I'm trying to save our jobs.

I'm just pretty sure it can demonstrated to a satifactory level of convincing that part of the reason that our jobs are overseas, that our walkie-talkies are all made in China, is because they have sweat shops.

Unions stopped (most of) the sweat shops in the United States. That was a good thing. Our workers deserve a good living wage. They don't all deserve the SAME wage, of course, but they need to be able to put a decent dinner on the table after 8 or 9 hours of good honest work.

Now the guy who installs windshield wipers on Ford F-150's makes $70,000 / year. Probably more than the job merits. I'm not saying the guy's not worth 70 G's. I'm just saying that his JOB isn't worth 70 grand.

The Union Boss is making 10-times that. And he's collecting all the union dues from the happy employees who are making $70,000 per year.

The other part of the reason that all our computer monitors are made in China is because our employees just cost way too much. If I had to pay all my employees $70,000, plus bennies, my budget wouldn't support it, and I'd have to let some of them go. Simple economics. Simple math, even.

So, for those of us who don't want a socialist society, we believe that the bus-boy at the local diner is worth less than the Union Boss, or at least worth less than the owner of the diner who took the risk with his own capital to start the business.

The higher echelon at any organization should make a lot of money. They're taking a risk. They're employing millions of Americans making what should be a great product. They have to make tough decisions. They should make good money for moving our economy forward. I'd say a couple of million ought to be enough. Let's call it ten million. But hundreds of millions? At what point is it doing what's right for America, and when is it just plain greed?

At what point is a garment working in Ashville, NC who makes $60,000 to make blue jeans making a decent living, and at what point is the pay beyond the job description? I don't know the answer, but I have some opinions.

Anyone else wonder why everything sold at Stuff Mart is cheap?

Putcher Money Where Yer Mouth Is

You may be saying, Okay, Mr. (I am a Mr. though the androgeny offered on the internet doesn't always make that clear) Disciple of all that is Made in the USA, I'll bet I can come into your house and find a dozen things made in China. What do you have to say about that?

I'd say that you can find more than a dozen. Hundreds, maybe. I have a lot of junk.

Last year, I replaced dozens of incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones...saves lots of energy...but they're all made in China.

My TV, toaster, telephone, 2 computers, DVD player, CD players (several), most of my wardrobe...and, get this, my daughter's American Girl outfit are all made in China. As are my washing machine, my running shoes...my beloved Asics running shoes, my camera, my video camera, my cell phone (my wife's really, I don't own one of those electronic leashes, yet), my pediatric thermometer (yes, I put that in my child's mouth).

So here's the challenge. Find me a camera made in the USA (I used to own a Kodak), running shoes (good ones, now, I'm not going to get injured over this crusade) and a manufacturer of CD's, and I'll give them my business.

Buy American!

The Show Must Go On...

Reminds me of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" album...

Today's gift idea is something our family has done annually. It's not the only present we exchange, but it's a great one. Provides lasting memories (with photos taken with my Chinese made camera...anybody know of an American made camera?)

It's a set of tickets to an event...a baseball game, a hockey match, a Broadway show, the local production of the Nutcracker, The Sing-along Messiah. Yes, I mentioned this a few days ago.

Last year we saw Kristin Chenoweth at the Met. Set us back $360 (as do most shows at the Met), but it was a great experience, supporting local musicians and local caterers.

This year, my gift to my folks, in addition to a tin of Harney Tea (www.harney.com) from nearby Salisbury, CT (the actual packing company is in nearer-by Millerton, NY) was 4 tickets to the Rockettes at Radio City. Grandma and Grandpa spent a few good hours with the girls (my girls, and the Rockettes...there must have been 57 legs kicking up there...) before grabbing a train back home.

You gotta change your expectations a bit. You can still open the envelope with the tickets, or an IOU, on Christmas morning. No assembly, or batteries, required.

But the memory of the daughters, wide eyed at the majesty of the Met, giddy with the performance, and daughter youngest falling asleep in my arms with 3 songs remaining on the bill, not even stirring for the encore, is something I'll cherish for ever.

I'll never get that satisfaction from a pair of Hong-Kong made khakis.

Black Friday Stampede

I promise my tirades will remain light-hearted, and my disdain for "stuff" will be tempered with some humor, but I want to get serious for a few minutes to remind us all what we've read with horror in the papers lately.

You're probably aware that, on November 28th, inside the doors at Wal*Mart Jdimytai "Jimbo" Damour was trampeled to death as the busiest shopping day of the year turned ugly early.

Unbelievable.

In addition to Mr. Damour, there were 4 others, including a pregnant woman, who were injured. Some of the shoppers became indignant when informed they would have to suspend their shopping momentarily while the medical professionals tended to the injured.

I'll stop short of blaming Wal*Mart for this tragedy. They perhaps could have been better prepared (what, we have a lot of shoppers this morning?). It's not the world's biggest trading partner with China who created this type of behavior. Is it?

But this is the cost of a human life...good prices on imported stuff. Do you suppose Mr. Damour's family gets an instant price rollback on specially marked items?

Shop on...

My Recent Favorite Gift Idea

I'll send periodic gift ideas here, many of which are high quality (sometimes expensive) items that are useful and helpful. But I don't want to be like the man in the funny JC Penny commercial "Dual Bag" who was sent to the dog house for buying his wife a nice dual bag vacuum cleaner for Christmas.

A pair of nice Cutco kitchen sheers is American made, high quality and very useful, but not particularly romantic. If you NEED them, they're great. If it's just another thing to have in your kitchen, you may want to reconsider.

In the interest of simplifying, and reducing "stuff," one of my recent favorite gifts is a gift to Heifer International (wwww.heifer.org). This from their web site:

"This holiday season, struggling families in the U.S. and around the world are counting on gifts of hope from generous people like you. Imagine no lines, no parking hassles and no meaningless gifts. Better yet, imagine giving those in need an opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty with a gift that also honors your friends and family."

Aren't familiar with Heifer? Your gift of a goat, a chicken, a cow, or a hive of bees will provide food and education for folks who desperately need nutrition. Nothing to clutter up your mud room or closets. Check 'em out.

Jobs in America

It's been noted that Stuff Mart is a pretty big employer of American workers.

I don't wish to suggest that we put them out of business.

I only wish to signal to them that we'd prefer if they sold items made in the USA.

The prices will (probably) be higher...and why is that? How can we ship raw materials overseas, have them produced into a certain widget, and have them shipped back to us for less than we can make them here?

As Pa Grape once said, "That's just nuts!"

So, here's my sometimes-daily recommendation for a great item made in the USA...the MAGLITE flashlight, made right here in Ontario, California. Very durable and heavy duty. Their new LED flashlight provides good light, and lasts for a long long time on a normal set of batteries.

If you're really splurging this year

Just remember that Corvettes are still made in America.

Some Ideas Perhaps?

Okay, so I'm asking you to buy American? What kind of lousy Christmas are your kids going to have if you don't buy them the latest electro-gizmo from China? Will they be labeled "dork" if they don't get the newest addition to Wii this year?

Maybe, but they'll be dorks with a conscience, and with employed parents. Try these options for gifts:

A quart of maple syrup.

A gift basket of "Pain is Good" salsa.

Loggerhead (tm) wrenches

Burt's Bees skin and beauty products

Texas blue jeans

Any number of local artisan specialty items such as salad bowls, bracelets and other jewelry, throw rugs, blankets, etc.

Tickets to the Nutcracker, the Rockettes, a local museum, a night at the theater, or the Sing-along Messiah.

A CD of local music. The CD (and the CD player) may be made in China, but you're supporting your local community with the purchase.

What else can you think of?

Transfer of Wealth

I was in Target the other day, getting a family photo taken, and I was struck again by the number of products sold in "Stuff Marts" such as Target, K-Mart, Wal*Mart, Sam's Club that are made in China.

Between the checkout counters and the photo lab in the back of the store, I stopped and examined tags hoping to find something made in the USA. I found 6 things, and most were food items.

For the last three years, my only criteria for Christmas and birthday presents is that they not be made in China. It's hard to find these things in Stuff Mart, but not as hard as you might think.

So, I thought I'd take this crusade online and help provide direction to those poor souls who know no better than to do their shopping at Stuff Mart.

There's lots of information out there. Just Google "Made in America."

If you already conduct internet commerce, and chances are if you found this web site you do, then it's easy to buy your American made blue jeans online. Or your toys for your kids, etc.

The first web site that I'll endorse here is: www.madeinusaforever.com

I'll provide directions elsewhere, and look for your input.

Buying American can save America!

Be good, y'all.