An elderly couple upgrades their ride and trades in my dream car.

My local car salesman calls me because he knows its in my price range. The month is coming to a close and he has bills to pay.

The mechanic says it’s clean and mechanically sound with a great price.

The owner of the dealership says he’s hoping my husband’s company makes it because his car dealership is dependent on its employees. He’s also running for school board and wants our vote. He thanks us for buying the van – and he means it, he doesn’t want his business to go under.

We stop and buy insurance from our friends from church. They thank us for getting the loan locally, they’re also on the bank’s board.

My husband calls a local bank, he does freelance work for them, the manager gave us an interest rate at 6%, 3% lower than other banks we asked.

They make plans to play golf in the future.

We spent $7,500 for our dream van.

The salesman made a commission, the car dealership made a profit, the insurance broker made a commission, the bank manager made a commission and the bank took its cut.

That’s at least 5 families and 3 small local businesses whose economies were positively impacted by the purchase of my van.

Hopefully, all of them will look to my husband in the future for freelance graphic design and advertising and it will come full circle. We’ll be needing another car eventually.

That’s what we did to affect the unemployment rate and the economy yesterday.

Post from: Blisstree

Economic Dominos – Buying Local

I scored this healthy air popper from the 1970s at a thrift store for $2.

The top part is broken, but it’s still functional.

But, then I saw this really pretty Nastalgia Electrics Hot Air Popper . I thought it was so cute I bought one for my brother’s family for Christmas too. It was our special family Christmas treat.

It SUCKS!!!

It didn’t even pop a lot of kernels and the bowl it fills is 1/3rd the size of my other bowl. Popcorn – popped and unpopped – flies all over the room. The second time we used it – it smoked.

One side effect of the last several years of hyper-consumerism is that makers of products – from cars to popcorn makers – began making disposable products that don’t even work when you buy them.

Mixers, blenders, popcorn makers We buy them and they work for about 30 days until we can’t return them anymore and then bam – dead.

Yet, if I pick one up from the 70s and 80s at a thrift store it’s still just chugging along.

Back then manufacturers still believed consumers expected their products to last 20 – 30 years instead of 4 weeks.

Images source: The Girl Revolution

Post from: Blisstree

Pop Off ‘78 v. ‘08

It’s so nice how open and communicative our President-Elect is about his plans and ideas.

Post from: Blisstree

Communicative President-Elect’s Economic Recovery Plan

Whatever they are saying about the economy I’m not seeing the negatives.

Everywhere I look there is potential and opportunity.

There’s an Economic Women’s Revolution going on right now in the world and we’re going to see women explode onto the landscape. In large part because so much business can be done on the Internet. More and more of us are asking, Why not me? Why don’t I start that business I’ve always dreamed of?

This year, women will stop the futile wait for The Market to give us equal pay and we’ll create our own opportunity. We’ll create jobs , not apply for them.

We’ll have the backing of a pro-woman government to help assist us.

I’m a part of that. I’ve got my own business going and I expect it to really take off in 2009. I’ve laid the groundwork, crested the learning curve and I’m ready to push it into a new stratosphere.

My husband has a freelance design company that’s also really going to take off. Together our economy will be better than it’s ever been our entire married life. We’ve learned the hard lessons and sucked it up through the hard years and dedicatedly applied ourselves to become disciplined about money. We know what to do now and money is coming our way in 2009. Phew. Finally.

I’m redesigning and republishing my girl blog on Jan. 12 and I’m so excited about it.

I’m excited to be with b5media and Blog Fabulous and hope to take it and my relationship with my readers to a new level.

I’ve also found some local resources that I’m taking full advantage of. I’ve joined Toastmasters, an International public speaking club and I’m joining the Northeast Texas Writers Association. I’m getting a huge adrenaline rush from speaking in public.

This year I expect to make a real professional income consistent with my education and experience. In fact, I will accept nothing less.

My husband and I will help other couples be happily married.

We’ll be more happily married.

I will continue my organizational strategies, I’ll work 35 pounds off my body by putting in the effort and energy to care about what I eat and how much I move.

Is anyone else feeling this optimistic and enthusiastic about ‘09?

Post from: Blisstree

2009 Predictions

My mother-in-law produces an Annual Christmas Pageant and this year we took it to a nursing home to spread some joy.

Zack joined in the Angel Dance and it was so stinking CUTE!

I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas.

Post from: Blisstree

Annual Christmas Pageant

But, I’ve given it some thought and though the Capitalists have F’ed things up royally with a complete and total lack of long-term planning or insight into how their business practices truly effect the overall economy and political stability of the United States and the entire world economy as a whole . . .

We need to spend some dough. As much as possible right now. By “possible” I mean as much as you can afford to spend in CASH. Credit card spending isn’t helping anything – it’s how we got in this mess.

But, if you get a PAYCHECK and CASH IT and PAY YOUR BILLS and meet your LIVING NEEDS and you have some LEFT OVER – then you should throw some Cold Hard Cash at the economy and pray it will keep the good companies in business.

Shop consciously. My friend Jeanne from Jeanne’s Endo Blog emailed me and suggested that since I can’t collect commissions through my own Amazon store I might shop through hers.

Which is freaking brilliant! Of course I should shop through a blogger-sister’s Amazon store to boost her economy. Hurts Amazon none and helps my friends in the Blogosphere. And since I’m using actual cash and not credit its like Motrin for the economy.

Do that for me at my Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me site and at my Blog Fabulous Giving Guide, please.

If you want to see a business survive the winter – spend some money there (by there I mean HERE).

This year bloggers from around b5media’s Lifestyles, Health and Wellness channels are giving readers a special surprise. We’ve created a virtual mall to help ease the anxiety of shopping for those on your Christmas list who may be a little more difficult to buy for.

Stop by Kettle and Cup and select your favorite hot beverage, kick back and browse this years Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Extravaganza.

Cherie from Career and Kids has the perfect list for the business woman/working parent.

Mary Emma from One Book Two Book shares a suggest shopping list for the avid reader and artist on your list.

Everyone knows what to get a jewelry lover – but do you know what to get one who loves to make jewelry? Cyndi at Jewelry and Beading has the answer!

Cherie at Diabetes Notes shares gift ideas to keep those visions of sugar plum fairies dancing for the diabetics on your list.

Chloe at The Doggy Blog shares an adorable wish list as written to Santa Paws.

Christine at Mad Cropper knows how to please those who are crazy about scrapbooking during the holiday season.

Quilters anyone? This unique craft makes for the tougher shopping experience – but that’s so yesterday considering we have a pro in our corner. Let Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork help you pick out the perfect gift.

Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 provides a list of gifts for the breastfeeding mother on your list.

So maybe giving kitchen appliances isn’t the best idea – but what about a cool and unique Cooking Gadget? I’d say your bound to surprise the cook on your list with something from Cyndi’s list.

Peggy at Lively Women has put together a list of gift ideas for the health conscious female on your list.

Christine at Our One Heart shares tips and gift ideas to keep that Bride-to-Be happy during the Christmas season.

Tracee at BlogFabulous has put together an amazing store displaying gift ideas for the woman’s woman.

Christmas is for everyone and shopping for an Alzheimer’s patients can present a challenge – allow Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes helps you overcome that challenge and get on to the joys of the season.

Have someone who might be looking to become a little more organized in the new year? Let Jennifer at Declutter It help you give the gift of time and organization.

Do you have a fabric-aholic or a needlehead on your Christmas list? Don’t get them the same old boring sing-song gift – let Chloe at Tangled Thread help you pick the perfect gift.

Unique gift ideas for the mixed media art lover on your list is what Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers has on display.

Have an aspiring to advanced chef on your list this year? Cyndi at Busy Family Meals has an extensive list to cover every stage of cooking from beginner to pro.

Eliza has pieced together a shop that covers mom, dad and baby at Babylune. Why leave anyone out?

Heather at The Food Bowl is taking care of pets and their people with a fun list that’s bound to connect you with the perfect gift.

Did someone say chocolate? Heather at Chocolate Bytes did! Our resident chocolate expert has put together sweetest gift shop you won’t want to miss.

Who says married couples are boring? Check out the letters to Santa as shared by Marc and Marye of Marriage Actually and see what might appeal to the married couple on your list.

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family provides a wonderful list to help you go a little more green this holiday season.

Don’t forget about that single and dating friend or relative! We all know how difficult it can be to buy for them – Lucky for us we have Dating Dames and the Dames have the answers.

It’s never too early to start buying for your favorite gardener and Linette at Mother Earth’s Garden has a wonderful list to help you decide.

Have someone a little offbeat or kooky on your list this year? Let Jennifer of Offbeat Homes help you find the gift that’s spot on.

Linette at Play Library is haring the Best of Toys list this year – check out what’s hot and get to buying! We know how quick those hot toys sell out every year.

Have someone on your list who always hosts the best parties? Surprise that person with a unique gift as recommended by Linette at She Knows Parties!

Marcie from One Book Two Book and A Child Chosen shares a wonderful shopping list she’s broken down by age groups and hobbies.

Whether it’s tea or coffee you are looking for, Marye from Kettle and Cup has unique gift ideas that’s sure to add a little spice to your favorite hot beverage.

Haven’t figured out just how to shop for the junk lover and crafter on your list? Let Peggy from Junk Creation assist you with your selection.

Susan from Grounded Fitness has a little something for the health and fitness buff on your shopping list.

Liz at Health Bolt offers up a nifty gift idea list for everyone in the family – down to the computer geek.

Just what do you buy someone who’s crazy about genetics? Let our very own Grace Ilbay help you with that one at Genetics and Health

For those on your list who have a taste for wine and cocktails – check out Drinks After Dark and the shop full of gifts that Colleen has compiled that might just add to the element of surprise this year.

For the baker on your list – Marye from Baking Delights shares some of her personal favorites for her baking adventures in the kitchen. At a time when flavors, colors, aromas and tastes are at their peak, finding the perfect gift can be a bit of a challenge.

Eliza at She Knows Coupons has a fun list of items that will make any couponing mom jump with joy. The only thing that makes a coupon mom more excited than an awesome deal is doing it in an organized fashion.

And last but certainly not least, I’ve compiled a list of MomGadget Favorites – A Year in Review 2008 instead of a storefront for you to shop.

From all of us at Lifestyles – Health & Wellness

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2009!

Image credit: Stock.xchng

Technorati Tags: holiday gift guide,shopping guide,unique gift ideas,b5media,lifestyles channel,health and wellness,christmas gifts,black friday shopping,cyber monday

—–Inline Attachment Follows—–

All around b5media’s Beauty & Style Channel, the Splendicity bloggers have put together some amazing holiday gift guides. Everything from makeup and skincare products to little black dresses and accessories, we have it all.

Let’s go shopping!

Beth at Aging Fabulous offers a selection of terrific beauty gifts.

SP shows you some terrific handbags at Banging Bags, fabulous stocking stuffers at Shopaholics Daily, and even more holiday gifts at Style Her Hair.

Nikki shows us some wonderful little black dresses at Celeb Look.

Gayla features some adorable gifts for your pets at Couture Critters.

Aly offers beauty products for holidays at eBeautyDaily.

Star shows us a selection of fabulous gifts for him and her at Glamour Gift Guide.

Chloe features jewelry gifts for family and friends at Gleaming Things, and offers The Twelve Days of Shopping Christmas Guide at Her Accessories.

Tracy has a not so secret wish list and her holiday gift guide at Hot Mama Daily.

Dexie’s jewelry gift guide for her lights up She Knows Best. And don’t miss out on her Under $100 Holiday Looks at Style It Less.

Kori offers fabulous shoes for every woman in your life at ShoeBlitz.

Colleen features wonderful spa and beauty gifts at Spa Beautifully.

Ashley invites you to indulge in luxury at The Latest Luxe.

Lara provides 8 top 8 lists of holiday gifts for everyone at The List Maven.

Happy Shopping!!

Post from: Blisstree

Shop Your Heart Out – Virtual Mall

I’ve compiled a list of the products I’ve recommended on Blog Fabulous in a special page —-> over there in the side bar.

Click here on the Blog Fabulous Giving Guide. < -----------

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to try all these wonderful products, read the great books and discuss all this fantastic information with you. I will be working on the list over the holidays, but for now it’s some skin products and some books.

I’m waiting to be approved for some of the other recommendations.

That’s about Black Friday.

But, Thanksgiving – today. I want you to try this … look around and realize that whatever the news is blathering on about in this economy your heat is still on, you still have a television and a computer, you still have hot water and a car no matter how beat up. And if you don’t have those things right now, there is still plenty of time to get them.

You still have people you love or who love you – if you haven’t driven them away already, and if you have – just remember, you can always evolve and find more.

You’re you and you is good enough.

You have all the power you need inside – it just takes a few skills to find it. What else is New Year’s for?

I am Thankful that YOU are here.

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Thanksgiving ( Black Friday)

Am I the only one who would like to take a break from outrage and moral indignation?

Yes, there is injustice in the world.

True, George W. Bush is a bad mother-bleeper who needs to go sit on a ranch and think about what he’s done for a while.

Yes, there are still homophobics in California. They love marriage and monogamy so much they don’t want to share it.

There are also gays in California and some of them want to get married so they can have all the legal rights and responsibilities marriage provides.

And yes, there is a crazy group in Colorado who hopes to declare a fertilized egg a legal “person” to trample Roe v. Wade.

Yes, the auto industry needs a bail out though they appear to have “set aside” millions of dollars in “bonuses” for their executives to have a Merry Christmas, even as they didn’t have the foresight to retool their factories for a new generation of environmentally friendly and economical cars. Of course, it defies logic. But, are we that surprised?

Yes, lay-offs are immanent and it might be you (or my husband) this week. It was my cousin last week.

Motrin dares – how dare they – suggest that carrying a baby in a sling or other contraption might actually hurt a mother’s back (hello, Chiropractor, did you say my insurance is pretty much making me pay full price now?)

Yes, health insurance premiums are up and benefits are down and no one can afford to pay full price for healthcare.

Yes, people are going to lose homes they couldn’t afford to buy in the first place and mortgage brokers intentionally sold them those loans knowing they couldn’t afford to pay them and effectively crashed the economy.

Ditto credit card companies and auto makers.

What I find most interesting is that the Obama Celebration only lasted about a week before people found something new to be incensed about. Or they didn’t know how to give up the negative emotional feed they were getting off their moral indignation that people would dare to see things differently in the first place.

Even the people who WON are still furiously incensed – I can’t tell you how livid a friend of mine was that California would dare give gay people the right to marry.

Except, they didn’t, so why aren’t you happy and celebrating your win? Why are you still so angry? I wondered.

All over twitter I’m reading about how loathsome that group in Colorado is for wanted to give personhood rights to the unborn.

Except that the bill lost by 73% of the vote.

We just elected a Pro-Choice President who will support a justice to keep Roe v. Wade safe and sound.

And the Supreme Court would likely overturn a personhood bill that was worded in such extreme language that even Religious Conservatives would defend their right to take the birth control pill and other hormonal contraceptives – so why are you giving this group free publicity?

We just elected a President who promised to address the serious problems with the healthcare industry and insurance issues. The guy has yet to fail, so why aren’t we saying “thank goodness we’ve done what we can about this issue,” as we pay our medical bills now?

Are we now getting an emotional feed off the incensed morally outraged high we’ve all been riding on during the campaigns?

Were we expecting people with opposing views to say, “Oh, you were right. I see that now.” Really?

Sane people, people not acting out of fear of “potential wrong” sigh and remember,

Less than one month ago the majority of legal citizens of the United States of America collectively chose to change the face of the President of the United States, The United States Senate, The United States House of Representatives and likely at least one justice on The United States Supreme Court.

Let’s assume that when our new elected officials do take charge on Jan. 20 of 2009 they will do what we sent them there to do. Sitting ducks can only do so much harm over the next 2 months and little of it will be permanent.

We’re in an economic pickle. It’s not going to be pretty, or comfortable but it will turn out OK. It will.

We did what we could on election day and the work will begin as power peacefully changes hands in January. Now, we’ve got to think of creative ways we can personally stimulate our own economy. If everyone does that we’ll be all right.

Take a deep cleansing breath America.

Post from: Blisstree

Outrage & Moral Indignation Addiction

I’m Tracee Sioux and I write Blog Fabulous here at b5media’s Lifestyle’s Channel.

Quick, subscribe to my RSS feed, otherwise what if we never see each again?

I write a lot about feminism and that includes the types of B.S. undergarments and hygiene marketed to women in articles like these: Her Way Sucks, I Prefer His, “Clean” Bikini Line and Mood Shaper in which I actually published a photo of myself in a full body girdle (what won’t I do to make my point?)

I write about feminism and the changing roles of women and how women can create their own power in articles like this: Battle Ground of Feminism: The Home, Logistical Problem with Feminism.

Economics – I talk a lot about economics: Recession or Sanity, Bank Crash – Economics 101 .

Oh, and I’m also an advocate for Girls at Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me (giving away a Portable Hard Drive).

I’m giving away an Ultreo Toothbrush, $149.99, the only toothbrush which combines ultrasound wageguide technology with sonic bristle motion,

• Cleaner — Ultreo has been clinically proven to remove up to 95% of hard to reach plaque in the
first minute of brushing.

• Whiter — Ultreo has been clinically proven to remove up to 95 percent of plaque in the first minute of brushing.

• Healthier — Ultreo has been clinically proven to reduce gingivitis in just 30 days.

• Preferred — In a recent study, 8 out of 10 people said they would chose Ultreo over the power toothbrush they normally use.

More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

Leave a comment by Oct. 31 and you’re entered to win one Ultreo Toothbrush. I’ll announce a random winner on Nov. 1. Really, subscribe so you can find out if you won. This makes a great Christmas gift.

Post from: Blisstree

Ultreo Toothbrush – Bloggy Giveaways

I AM Middle Class America.

My husband has a job at a fortune 500 company.

I work from home as a writer/blogger.

We went to college, spend the last 4 years paying off debt, bought a house earlier this year with a fixed FHA loan.

We’re doing all the right things.

Here’s how OUR economics look:

* Groceries went up 20% in the last year.

* Gas seems to be on ever higher roller coasters.

* Health Insurance Premiums are rising in January – AGAIN.

There will be no cost of living increases, overtime or raises at the company as stock prices are plummeting down to earth.

This will effect what we eat, how often we can see our family, whether we can see the doctor.

I’m guessing that you’re getting similar news from insurance companies and employers. That you are wondering where to go from here.

I’ve got some ideas – but I’d love to hear yours.

Leave a comment and tell me if you’re discussing similar news over dinner.

Photo Source: Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me, my family during better times, this summer Chevy lent us this Tahoo. (I’m so relieved I didn’t finance one.)

Post from: Blisstree

Middle America Economic Reality