$$ The Green Hou$e Effect $$

I remember I was a junior in high school, history class with Mr. Douaihy, when I learned about the Great Depression. My public high school text books were nothing to brag about. Maybe it really was the quality of the photos in the books that made the people in them look that much more desperate, that much more gray-er. I thought then how awful it must be to one minute have a job, and the next, to be huddled on a heat vent with children, just tying to stay warm.

What will future children read about these times? A news report yesterday said that NYC is offering one-way free flights for the homeless. The unemployment rates are near 11%. The most popular vacation is the stay-cation, or homation. Basically, we're not going anywhere this summer kids, have fun on your Wii we charged for you 2 years ago.

As we enter into the school year, more uniform swap gatherings are popping up everywhere. Last spring during prom season, I can remember many of our seniors going to Cinderella's Closet, a place where the girls could buy a donated, used dress for $20.00. Even the most popular, the most well off girls sported their Cinderella's Closet dress at the prom. No shame in hiding the bargains these days.

And then, there is the worst part of this economy; the emotional factor. The fact is, it appears to be no end in sight. It feels that way, anyway. Logically it has to end. Financially, most of us just can't tighten the belt any more. (actually many of us probably can because we have cut down on eating out, buying fewer groceries, and getting more exercise because we are walking instead of driving everywhere).

Truth be told, this is probably just what Americans need. I know I do. I need to know that it is ok not to charge outlandish items, just to keep up with the Jones'. I know the Jones' aren't charging, they aren't going on vacation, they are also trying to chip away at their credit card debt. The Jones' dad just lost his job or the Jones' aren't going to the new swanky restaurant..they're having a BBQ this weekend, too. We all spent together, we all lost money together, and together we need to rebuild. If I need a pick me up, so do the Jones'!

Positive things to do in a crummy economy:

• Have more family time - yes you do really love each other
• Board games & cards can be fun - try learning a new game, like bridge which can last for hours!
• Try one of your family's recipes. I recently made my mom's stuffed peppers.
• Try something new - I started a blog, it's free!
• Visit the library - we check out 2-3 movies a week, for free!
• Have a "vacation" at a friend's house. Take a trip to visit a long lost friend. You won't have to pay for a room and it will give you a break from the same old routine.
• Does your city offer free concerts? Our city offers concerts on Sundays. We might not even like the music but it is fun to get out and be social.
• Walk - cancel the gym membership
• Visit the farmer's market - you are helping your local economy & you will buy healthier items
• Go to the flea market - the best part of the flea market is people watching, you don't need to buy a thing!
• Start a book club - a great way to get together with friends. check out the book @ the library and have everyone bring a little something.
• Clean out your closets! if you can't afford to buy anything, and you are going stir crazy, start weeding though your stuff. Pack it up and bring it out again in 6 months. It will be like a whole new wardrobe! If you have money by then and want to buy clothes, then donate the ones you don't want.
• Put unused items on Craigslist, and make a few extra dollars
• Have a yard/garage/tag sale - and have your neighbors get involved so it is a neighborhood event
• Volunteer!! It keeps you busy. I now know why retired folks volunteer!!
• Read books online! thousands to choose from and they are free! http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/
• Sort your photos...oh, yah, remember that project you started years ago?? Try scanning them into the computer to Picassa to preserve them electronically.
• Start a garden. You can plant a garden almost any time of year, depending upon where you live.
• Write letters. Stamps are only 44c and getting a letter in the mail is just great. You can even make fun stationary online. http://www.freeprintablestationery.net/
• Do one of the TV exercise programs on cable or satellite. I know, they are annoying. But, what do you have to lose? A few lbs?
• Pamper yourself. Soak in the bathtub. Give yourself a pedicure or facial. Here is a simple facial recipe:

1 medium to large Banana; soft and peeled
1/3 to 1/2 cup oatmeal(depends on the size of the banana)
Instructions:
Mash the oatmeal into the soft peeled banana a little at a time. Continue until all of the oatmeal is moistened. Apply to your face evenly, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water or soft wash cloth

All in all, these times are tough for everyone. What is difficult for everyone to accept, whether you were once rich and are now less rich, or once paycheck-to-paycheck, and are now, paycheck-less, is that we will survive this. This may not be how we intended our lives to be, this is not how we expected to be rewarded for all of our hard work. Bottom line, our lifestyles and quality of life have been disrupted, so we need to adjust. Lastly, we need to stick together and help each other though these times. As Thomas Jefferson once said, "When you have come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."