Shopaholic Reform: Terrifically Awesome Idea

Monday, November 22

Terrifically Awesome Idea

So the concept I'm about to present to you is one that came up pretty consistently during my time at Antioch. RENTING GOODS! That's right...not buying but renting the things that you "need." I mean really you don't need a lot of the things you use for all that long, because they're either temporary in nature or you want an upgrade/different style/etc. In this case we're talking dresses.

Today on BuywithMe there was a coupon for $60 worth of dress rentals for $20 from The Borrowed Dress in the North End. SUCH A GOOD IDEA! I wish I had something I needed a new dress for, but I have enough to get me through the next year...most likely longer.

I wonder if they have these services for other things, like baby stuff. I am at that age where a lot of my friends and many of my cousins are starting up families and I have to say one of the things that strikes me most is that kids require an enormous amount of stuff. I mean a ton of it. Do they have a rental service for baby stuff? I mean how long do you really need a stroller, car seat, etc. etc.? Why not rent it?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Sounds like a business idea in the making...; November 23, 2010 at 6:53 AM
Jack Skellington said...: We should get on that.; November 24, 2010 at 12:09 PM

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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)