Gas prices lower, just in time for holidays
By Melissa Mulcock
Last Updated:2:37 PM EST 12/2/08 Section: Viewpoint
Over the past few weeks, gas prices have dropped dramatically, a local supermarket has dropped prices on everyday food items, the stock market has seen a few good days and we even have a new president coming into office-all of these things combined seem to be a good mix of ingredients for the making of a booming holiday shopping season.
But is it all just a big scam by the government to help boost shopping morale in a time of economic turmoil?
Despite these "hard economic times" that I hear of on the news, I haven't seen a change in the way people live their lives. People still come into my coffee shop every morning on their way to work to order their large Café Mochas and there are still long waits to get into popular restaurants on the weekends.
I also have yet to see a difference in how crowded the parking lot is here at Fisher, meaning that despite the price of gas, people are not ready to carpool with others. So, if people are not making any major changes in their everyday lives, what's the big deal about this failing economy?
Although I did not take part in the day after Thanksgiving shopping antics, it seems as though plenty of people were still out trying to find the best deals on videogames, electronics, TVs, clothes and whatever else it is that people like to buy after a big turkey dinner.
So, what inspired people to spend obscene amounts of money on Black Friday while our economy is in the process of spiraling downward and the most overplayed conversation within the past few months has been about how expensive gas prices are?
It's no surprise that just in time for the holidays the economy has gotten a little bit better, shopping for food has become a little bit easier, and now, people have a little bit of extra spending money and are able to splurge during this holiday season.
However, I think we all need to stay on guard and not go overboard with spending. Our economy is certainly not stable, and with the luck we've been having, our Christmas gift from the government will be gas that costs $4.00 a gallon, again.
But is it all just a big scam by the government to help boost shopping morale in a time of economic turmoil?
Despite these "hard economic times" that I hear of on the news, I haven't seen a change in the way people live their lives. People still come into my coffee shop every morning on their way to work to order their large Café Mochas and there are still long waits to get into popular restaurants on the weekends.
I also have yet to see a difference in how crowded the parking lot is here at Fisher, meaning that despite the price of gas, people are not ready to carpool with others. So, if people are not making any major changes in their everyday lives, what's the big deal about this failing economy?
Although I did not take part in the day after Thanksgiving shopping antics, it seems as though plenty of people were still out trying to find the best deals on videogames, electronics, TVs, clothes and whatever else it is that people like to buy after a big turkey dinner.
So, what inspired people to spend obscene amounts of money on Black Friday while our economy is in the process of spiraling downward and the most overplayed conversation within the past few months has been about how expensive gas prices are?
It's no surprise that just in time for the holidays the economy has gotten a little bit better, shopping for food has become a little bit easier, and now, people have a little bit of extra spending money and are able to splurge during this holiday season.
However, I think we all need to stay on guard and not go overboard with spending. Our economy is certainly not stable, and with the luck we've been having, our Christmas gift from the government will be gas that costs $4.00 a gallon, again.
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