Happy Holidays? Really?
My office is located 3 counties away from my home, there is a bridge I cross every day that has a toll, and gas prices in the Bay Area are among the highest in the country. The last time I added up what I spend to get to and from work, the total was over $450 a month.
I earn a very decent salary, but spending that much money on gasoline is ridiculous. It's the one product for which I am incensed to see even a penny increase. Conversely, I'm thrilled when the price per gallon drops by a penny or two.
My hairdresser, who also has a long commute, increased her rates by $5 per service, because of gas prices. So a color and cut is $10 more per appointment. She's giving me a break by only increasing her fee $10 for the 3-service appointment I schedule with her once per quarter. My manicurist lives near her shop and has not increased her fees, but I've decreased my visits to see her.
Colleagues of mine who are fiscally and environmentally responsible are focused on recycling and driving hybrids. Those who have looked at their 401ks in the past week are advising the rest of us not to look at our retirement funds. Losses are up to 6 figures thanks to the stock market roller coaster. Rather than looking at my 401k, I'm focusing on what I can do, for now anyway.
To offset what I'm spending on fuel, on the rare occasion when I can work from home, I do. I'm able to stretch the number of days between manicures without hurting my manicurist's business. And although I've done plenty of research, it wouldn't save me much money to trade in my 2005 economy sedan for a hybrid. So, because I don't have to, I don't drive anywhere on most Sundays.
Penny pinching won't make up for historic losses in the stock market, but I'm optimistic that our collective habits will yield some benefit to the economy. As the holiday season approaches, it will be most interesting to watch the spending habits of Americans this year. Will there even be a Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving?
My family and I have already agreed not to exchange high priced gadgets and luxury items for Christmas. Instead we're getting creative about handmade treasures (and supporting those who make them) and about the gift of time spent with each other. I've told my sons the only thing I really want is current photographs of them and my grandchildren.
Christmas Eve at my house will look the same as it always does. All our traditions will be in full swing. There just won't be as many gifts under the tree, and that's just fine. During the time we usually spend opening gifts, we'll be playing games, singing songs, and feasting on homemade sweets and savories. And as we tell our children and grandchildren about Christmas Past, we'll reach back even further to a time when it was the gathering and the giving that was the true gift of the season.
Total cost to fill my gas tank per month: $450
Total cost to cross the bridge per day: $4
Hosting a true, old-fashioned Christmas: Priceless
Original post at 50-something Moms Blog. Arleen also blogs at Seasons for All and The Tea Room, and for her sister, Sherryl, at RaRa's MySpace.com.
