Shopaholic Reform: Manic May

Tuesday, June 1

Manic May

Total: $1,528

Housewares: $571 (remember those hardwoods?)
Gifts: $283
Gas: $164
Bars/Restaurants: $154
Health & Beauty: $90
Shoes: $85
Randomness: $65
Groceries: $46
Snackages: $22
Travel: $20
Entertainment: $15
Coffee: $12
Clothing: $0 (the sole $0 category of the month)

Seriously, I am failing at this whole scaling back thing. FAILING! It's quite disheartening to be honest. I promised myself that I would follow through with this resolution though, so I can't stop now. I mean, even if I fail at being a more conscious consumer at least I can keep my resolution to call myself out on mindlessly shopping.

Although, I suppose all is not lost. I mean, I have made some more responsible decisions about where I've been spending my money, even though I seem to be spending every last penny of it. The hardwoods were bought from a local store, my groceries (even though there were very little of them) were purchased at a local grocery store, and some of the random items that I purchased, like the toy toy and treats for the pups were bought from a local doggy boutique instead of Pet Co. or Pet Smart...PLUS a lot of my dough was spent on gifts for others this month, just as a side note.

Sigh, here's hoping that June goes a little better for my bank account.

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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)