Air Your Wallet

It's been almost two weeks since my last blog and I am thinking about the animated movie, Finding Nemo. It is a scene where Marlin the Clownfish who is searching for his abducted son, Nemo, finds himself in the midst of a flock of seagulls in Australia, eyeing him and repeating, "Mine, mine, mine." Of course Marlin escapes and it is a humorous scene - the point is - "mine" writing takes me into a different direction today.

Economic woes have been the forefront of the news. Many people have lost their jobs. Companies are folding. Our spending confidence is shaken. As a result, there is a resounding swish all over the country as people vacuum close their wallets. A new plague of wallet moths are beginning to flourish as has never been seen since the days of comedic tightwad Jack Benny.

Capitalism depends on spending. If you have not lost your job, pay your bills and use your consuming power with forethought, sensitivity and common sense. Go to your neighbor's store, buy something you need and in turn, you will be helping him pay his employees and keep his business. Or buy one of those 2 for 1 sandwich deals nearby and give the extra to the friend who just lost a job.

If you were planning a vacation and have the means to proceed - by all means, get away and enjoy yourself. Frugality can still be exercised by buying fewer sourvenirs or cutting the trip short by one day. The cruiseship, airline, auto rental, hotel will benefit from the money you have spent.

Wouldn't be nice if dropping a dollar into the recession pool created a positive swing, the "Dollar Ripple?"

Happy Valentimes

It has been exactly two weeks and 2.5 pounds lighter since my last post . Progress has been slow with occasional setbacks to old habits. I know this is the road to a healthier lifestyle but it seems so slow; I can usually stay the course during the week, but the weekend routine is harder to master.

I know about incorporating exercise wherever possible in one's daily routine. I live in a 3 story condo where there is no escaping 2 flights of stairs each way to run a load of laundry down; or a flight to remove the garbage. I almost always take the stairs at work when I occasionally venture to the upper floors. Yes, the 2nd floor is where the snack machines beckon but I have been vigilant about making a beeline for the diet soda or rare cereal bar bypassing candy bars and potato chips.

The hubby and I have been walking a bit on weekends when we go into San Francisco. Mind you we are not Olympic athletes but we do walk for a good while. I guess it is time to breakdown and incorporate regular workouts and re-hook up the Wii to the new TV we purchased during the holidays.

We have a wedding during Memorial Weekend, which is no longer in the distant future. My calculations - only 3.5 months away. Hmm, maybe I will send myself positive reminders every weekend on my cell to keep me motivated. A wedding album will last beyond my lifetime and I must look good!

Foods rediscovered - miso, specifically Trader Joe's miso. It is the best miso I have ever had. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. It's filling, only 45 calories per serving, 1G fat. Yummy. My husband's idea after we had Japanese one night; he noted that miso and petite salad fill you up before the main course.

I haven't planned for the rest of the day, it's Valentimes (pun intended) - a good day to give a little extra affection to my loved ones.