Loading ...Recession’s Silver Lining
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“Bring budgeting back in style, brag about the fact that you are a bargain hunter . . . save as much as you can and watch your money grow.”
~ President Gerald Ford (1974)
Could there be a silver lining in a recession, stagflation or slow down? I try to find some good in the rising prices, even if it is a very small pocket of silver.
Gas Prices Go Up and Up - This may be the way that more people become acquainted with the cob-webbed bicycle in their garage. This could also be the deciding factor for keeping that second or third vehicle around or not. I have even seen more people walking around the suburbs here more and carry groceries or items from the local hardware store. Money saved and better health to boot!
Climbing Grocery Cost - Every time I used to go shopping, it never failed that I brought home around $10-15 in junk food, well now that has changed since I pay more for milk and bread. Now I buy one item and I make it last a lot longer. I am also more careful about the foods I select, I want to eat quality for the price I buy, so every list is scrutinized for healthiness, staying power (keep me full) and stretching ability (make it last as long as possible). These higher grocery bills can force us to eat more modestly and kick start our imagination for ways to save.
Higher Energy Bills - These are never fun to get in the mail because it always seems like you are opening up a mystery envelope (unless you are on a set budget). But with many American’s penchant for cranking the heat or the air conditioning this may be the ultimate discovery of alternative ways to keep cool in the summer or keep warm in the winter, all the while keeping the bill lower as well.
The Debt Monkey - Since we are using the car less and walking or biking more and we are eating healthier we now have more muscle and confidence to fight the monkey on our back and stop it from growing larger. It is so nice to see different polls that were going on, during the congressional rebate check debate, that people who received their checks were going to pay down debt or spend a smaller percentage. Had the ’slow down’ in the economy not come, I think more people would have kept spending as they normally did and let the debt monkey hang on them even longer.
Savings Importance - A country that has a savings that is negative, this may be the push that helps us all grow that savings account to something that will be useful. I read about more people putting away money for their cars, pets, house and medical emergencies now than they did, even two years ago.
Housing Implosions - Since we are in the thick of this right now it is hard to find a silver lining. It is not kind to say that someone losing their house is a good thing. Instead, let’s look at this from a distant perspective. A while back I saw a tv show that covered how parts of Detroit, MI are giving way to a shelter of another kind - birds and small mammals. I couldn’t find the show but you can check out ‘Wild’ Detroit pictures . It is amazing how beauty can come out something that is so ‘gnarly‘ (as my dad said).
In the end, remember it was never about the car we drove, the house we lived in or the clothes we put on. Instead, it was about our character in times of trouble and triumph and our soul that had shown through to others.
WOW–I didn’t know Gerald Ford said that. I really enjoyed this article. It is true — Sometimes it takes earth-shaking experiences to get our attention.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:13 amThank-you for this post - it is just what I needed right now. I’m exhausted and stressed from trying to stretch the money and from telling the kids “no, we can’t buy that or go there or eat out”. Your words have calmed me down. One’s perspective makes all the difference. Your whole post is about finding the positives - we might go even further and try not to look at this as “times of trouble” but rather, “here’s your assignment, and I challenge you to find a great solution!”
Thank-you so much for writing this today.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:28 am@Debbie
It is nice to see another president (not only Carter) who suggested we conserve.
@Mary
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:25 pmYou are welcome. With all the bad ecomony news going on and our own personal goings on, I thought it was a need. Glad you liked it.
Great Post and I agree… there can be a silver lining to living in a recession.
Money can not buy happiness… no matter where you shop.
In a recession, a $50 trip to the movies is replaced with free walks in the park. That’s a good thing!!!! The walk in the park exposes you to sunshine and elevates your heart rate so it’s good for you physically. You can also talk with your kids as you walk instead of facing forward in the dark, watching a movie.
As a parent, you may not be able to join in the water cooler chatter about Will Ferrel’s latest bomb but you’ll know what is going on with your kids…which is much more valuable.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:17 amGood outlook. It may be painful, but sometimes that is what makes us change our ways!
March 6th, 2008 at 4:55 amThis is an excellent post, I remember the G. Ford comments, he had just assumed the Presidency after the Watergate scandal and subsequent recession. Our business was devasted during that recession, people were buying food and gas to get to work instead of furniture. Remember those days.. you bet I do. We were almost bankrupted. And now America we have Iraqgate…. thats where the money is going instead of supporting the American people and their needs during this another republican recession.
March 8th, 2008 at 12:53 pm