Over the course of the last decade, a vast majority of Americans pulled out a great, big pair of rose-colored glasses and tricked themselves into believing our financial worth was invincible. We tricked ourselves into believing—regardless of the fact that the value of our money was declining—massive borrowing and spending was acceptable. Somehow, some way, debts would be cleared, McMansion mortgages would be met and keeping up with the Jones’ could be an attainable goal.
Read MoreCategory: Uncategorized
Find Your Inner Lumber Jack
I can vividly remember the day Pearl Jam’s first album was released, the first time I heard “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and can with 100 percent certainty recall what I was wearing—flannel. Yes, that ultra soft, plaid delicacy that I also vividly remember donating when I could no longer even glance at it in my closet.
Read MoreNerrrddd!
Internet confession time: I’m pretty nerdy. This may not come as a surprise to those of you for who have been following this blog for a while, but for new readers, let me bring you up to speed.
I just recently moved, and I had to pack up about 1,500 comic books*. One of the best gifts my girlfriend has given me is an Xbox 360, which I don’t use to play sports games or shooters, but usually old Genesis games like Altered Beast and Shining Force. And maybe most tellingly, when my girlfriend first met me, she asked why there were so many toys in my room. In my defense, they were awesome “toys,” like old Transformers and classy Marvel Legends figures, but I suppose her point still stands.
Read MoreNo-Fear Fashionistas and Promotions
Have you ever noticed that when it comes to style, true fashionistas have no fear? They are willing to take big risks, mix up some plaid with polka dots, and even toss in some stripes just for fun.
Read MoreThe Starbucks Index
You can study common economic indicators like the GDP, CPI, inflation, deflation, housing markets, unemployment or bull and bear markets to determine if our economy is heading in the right direction, but I prefer to take a different tack. Perhaps you could call it the “Main Street” approach as opposed to the “Wall Street” approach to analyzing the hopeful economic rebound.
Read MoreAnswer-mania!
I’ll get to the correct answer to last week’s question in a bit, but first I thought I would run through some of my favorite miss-guesses I received via e-mail. Though incorrect, I feel they are definitely still worth sharing. Arranged in no particular order, here are my top three:
Read MoreLight at the End of the Tunnel
Recently, a friend of my mine posted a comment on Facebook asking the question, “At some point, feeling bad ends, right?” He was feeling great frustration within his workplace and his ability to grow both professionally and financially.
Read MoreThe Unnaturally Natural World of Apparel Catalog Models
I know it’s catalog season. Everyone in the industry is crazed, working their millionth hour getting their 2010 catalog out the door. To all of you out there I have one burning question:
Read MoreSearching Should Be Free
That’s my motto now and has been since I started here just over a couple of years ago. I don’t know if it’s considered old-fashioned Internet think or new-fangled Internet think, but I believe no one should have to pay to simply search for promotional products—ever.
Read MoreThe Gift that Keeps on Giving
With cooler winds prevailing, this past weekend marked the annual dig for my beloved blankey of a sweater, my cashmere cardigan. While deep in the throes of digging through my closet, I was also able to unearth my beaten and battered, holey and torn, unthrowawayable (do you think thats a word?) college sweatshirt.
Read More