Indecision

I don’t know if it’s because I’m riding the hormone express roller coaster, or because I empathize with those occupying Wall Street, but I’m hard pressed lately to feel good about spending money, especially on things I know I can do without.

Take yesterday for example.  I’ve been trying to decide whether to purchase an e-book reader.  On the surface of it, I like the idea.  I love to read and being able to take not just one book with me on vacation, but four, appeals to me.

But the very idea of spending money on a gadget, that does what exactly…allows me to never have to set foot in a library or book store again and saves me a few bucks on books?  For this, I have to compare and contrast a variety of products that change monthly and decide how much money I’m willing to spend on this single use device.  Or, should I give it all up for door number three and purchase something like an iPad for even more money?

Why not just head on over to my new multi-million dollar library and sign something out?  Easier for sure and less guilt inducing.

I’m going on a cruise at the end of this year to celebrate my birthday.  Yeah for me.  Two things occurred simultaneously last week that took me aback.  The first was that good old Sesame Street is introducing a new character on the show who’s experiencing poverty and doesn’t have enough to eat.  Seems that too many American kids today are in this unfortunate boat and Sesame Street decided that it was too large to ignore and wanted to address this problem.  Good for them.

At the same time, I needed to book a hotel in Florida pre and post cruise.  I wasn’t able to get one for less than $200 a night at that time of year (thank you Christmas gouging).  I’m going to spend $200 a NIGHT to house myself in comfort while kids in that state, and in fact the entire country, are going hungry?  In one of the richest countries in the world, no less? Holy smokes. Makes one pause for sure.  I can only hope that my addition to their uncertain economy helps.

It just seems to me that all of us would feel better about spending money if we all had some to spend.  It’s my hope that the Occupy Wall Street folks stay right there until Election Day in November 2012 and that this movement gains traction worldwide.  So many need to hear their message and particularly those in decision-making roles.