Most people look at spending in one way and one way only ? what you get for what you spend. For example, you spend $50 and you get a comfy sweater. Spend $5 and get valet parking. You pay to get things you need, which is all well and good. Society really can't function any other way.
But you can. Looking at your spending habits in the traditional way can cause bitterness and other negative feelings occasionally. Yes, things do cost a lot, and they do add up. Sometimes it seems to go out as fast as you earn it, and for what? Food? Clothing? Pedicures?
Let's propose something radical. From this moment on, stop thinking about money in the traditional way. Let's not think about money and spending habits from the ?ME' perspective alone. When your first instinct is to say ?No, I don't really need that', try to stop doing the ?responsible' thing and start sharing the wealth.
Take care of yourself as well as someone else in the process. That's the wonderful thing about spending. It affects not only you but someone else in a positive way.
Here's an example: You've had a long day at work, and before you go home to cook dinner and see your family you decide to treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure. It's a luxurious hour of silence and pampering, and the girl that helps you is sympathetic to your long day and works extra hard to make you feel special. You leave feeling refreshed and happy, and tip the girl $10.
So there's nothing unusual or different about this so far, right? Sure, you're out about $60, but look what you got! You got an hour of bliss and renewal, and you've got beautiful nails to boot. Well worth it.
Now, if on your way home you start to berate yourself for spending so much, this is where we're stopping. What you need to realize is that the experience you just had and the money you spent doesn't simply involve you anymore. That girl who worked so hard to make sure you were relaxed and happy, she's part of the picture too.
Look at it this way. By walking into the salon you helped her make money today. She probably has children of her own that will eat and wear clothes that you helped provide by going and getting pampered. Maybe the tip you gave her is going in the bank to help her go back to school to get a degree, or it's going to help her kids go to school some day.
It's such a simple concept, and yet almost no one stops and thinks about what their spending is doing for other people. You're helping others eat and survive with the money you spend. It's really quite amazing and wonderful. You have the power to do good with the money you spend. Think about it. Think about the possibilities.
Now, we're certainly not advocating you go out and do society a favor by maxing out your credit cards, but just by changing the way you look at your spending might make it a bit easier to get through the day. You are contributing to those around you with your buying power, especially if you shop locally and use small businesses for things you need.
You're helping others live and pursue their own dreams when you buy, and remembering this every day might just make you a bit happier yourself!
Copyright (c) 2007 Pat Brill
By the time the next President is in the third year of his or her term, my teenagers will be eligible for the draft. Believe me, we're watching the candidates closely when it comes to their views on war - and arguing about them. If your family's anything like ours, you're probably discussing issues around the dinner table during this election year. Parents have a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime chance to inspire our kids to consider the habit of activism, even if they can't vote this time around.
Along with lively conversations and family debates, why not use the power of story when it comes to raising world-changers? As Woodrow Wilson used to say, the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Through Readergirlz, our 5000-member on-line forum at MySpace and Facebook, we're seeing teens make the connection between great stories and world-changing action.
For readers, suggest a novel about politics, like Ellen Emerson White's riveting books about a girl whose mother becomes President, and First Boy by Newbery Honor author Gary Schmidt. Or visit sparrowblog, where the main character of my novels, fictional First Daughter Sparrow Righton, is blogging about the real First Kid wannabes. Elizabeth Edwards and Josh Romney have both left notes for Sparrow - why don't you try it, too? Sparrow always answers back.
If stories about life in the political limelight don't interest your teen, offer one about an issue that might speak to his or her heart. Try Patricia McCormack's Sold, for example, which personalizes the plight of human trafficking. Then call or email the candidates' campaign teams to find out whether he or she has taken a stand on that particular issue. To start, check out Hilary Clinton's views about trafficking written when she was First Lady and available online.
If your son or daughter cares about AIDS or poverty, consider Ana's Story by Jenna Bush, and visit the ONE site to see what the candidates have to say about global want. If he or she is concerned about terrorism, read Paula Jolin's In the Name of God, a novel about a Syrian girl who considers becoming a suicide bomber. Then google news sites together to discover what the candidates have said about terrorism - and about Islam.
Not all great stories come to us via the pages of a book, and you may not have a teen who likes to read. Politically-oriented films abound for family movie nights, ranging from funny, which you can find at politicalhumor dot about dot come; to classic at classicmovies dot org; or featuring a President as the central character at boxofficemojo dot com. If your teen is curious about life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, here's a list of stories about the White House made for both the big and small screens to be found at whitehousemuseum dot org.
If our dream is to raise lifelong activists, it's easy to use this election year to jumpstart conversations at home. But if we want to keep the momentum going after November 2008, why not inspire our children to activism through the power of great stories that change their minds, hearts, and lives forever?
Both Pat Brill & Mitali Perkins are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mitali Perkins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Writing and Political and Social. Mitali Perkins, Mitali Perkins, is the author of two political novels for teens called First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover and First Daughter: White House Rules (. Mitali Perkins's top article generates over 40500 views. Bookmark Mitali Perkins to your Favourites.