Shopaholic Reform: Maddened March Wrap Up

Sunday, April 4

Maddened March Wrap Up

Total: $1,330

Holy Hell, I have really outdone myself, and my budget this month. This number kind of makes me want to shoot myself in the face. Right. In. The. Face. I mean I was expecting this to be a big month and had saved up some money in preparation, but it doesn't make this number any less disturbing. I mean really. I'm horrified.

The breakdown:
Health & Beauty: $215(remember that I had my hair cut this month)
Entertainment: $210
Gifts: $183 (some of which I haven't given yet)
Groceries: $137
Random Crap: $137 (Red Sox tickets, AAA membership, CVS trips that I didn't feel like breaking down, and other assorted items of randomness)
Clothing: $114
Gasoline: $97
Bars/Restaurants: $37
Snacks: $33
Shoes: $24.50 (I counted the SuperFeet here, I mean they go in my shoes...so I guess that counts)
Coffee: $12

The only good news I can offer is that April should be relatively inexpensive as I don't have any bridal showers, bachelorette parties, birthdays to buy for (b/c I'm already done shopping for Aaron's) and Christmas remains a safe distance away.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: I'm hopeful that April will be the month you finally kick this ugly consumerist habit of yours. It's killing you slowly...like the people on Hoarders or Intervention. Just like that.; April 5, 2010 at 5:01 PM
Jack Skellington said...: Ohhh do you think they'll have a show called "Ugly Consumers!" I would totally keep this up if it means they will. I should call A&E.; April 7, 2010 at 4:45 AM

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Something to Chew On...

The downside to Globalization

1. “The general complaint about globalization is that it has made the rich richer while making the non-rich poorer. It is wonderful for managers and investors, but hell on workers and nature.”¹

2. Multinational corporations are accused of social injustice, unfair working conditions (including slave labor wages and poor living and working conditions), as well as a lack of concern for the environment, mismanagement of natural resources, and ecological damage.

3. Multinational corporations which were previously restricted to commercial activities are increasingly influencing political decisions. Many think there is a threat of corporations ruling the world because they are gaining power due to globalization.

4. Opponents say globalization makes it easier for rich companies to act with less accountability. They also claim that countries’ individual cultures are becoming overpowered by Americanization.

5. Anti-globalists also claim that globalization is not working for the majority of the world. During the most recent period of rapid growth in global trade and investment, 1960 to 1998, inequality worsened both internationally and within countries. The UN Development Program reports that the richest 20 percent of the world's population consume 86 percent of the world's resources, while the poorest 80 percent consume just 14 percent.

6. Some experts think that globalization is also leading to the incursion of communicable diseases. Deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS are being spread by travelers to the remotest corners of the globe.

7. Globalization has led to exploitation of labor. Prisoners and child workers are used to work in inhumane conditions. Safety standards are ignored to produce cheap goods. There is also an increase in human trafficking.

8. Social welfare schemes or “safety nets” are under great pressure in developed countries because of deficits and other economic ramifications of globalization.

As manufacturing continues to decline, so does our ability to innovate. In the long term, this means fewer well-paid jobs, lower productivity, declining wages, declining living standards and low economic growth. Globalization is a big part of this decline and will affect all jobs and all sectors of the economy. From the point of view of multinational corporations and Wall Street investors, globalization is probably viewed as a wonderful phenomenon with many opportunities. But from the point of view of American manufacturers, manufacturing workers, the middle class, professional service workers and overall economic growth, I think the disadvantages far out weigh the advantages.

-Mike Collins, The Pros and Cons of Globalization (2010)