Join the brigade

Dear Editor,

Since my last communication seemed to fall on deaf ears with the state, I guess we will have to leave industrial hemp alone until the "powers that be" find out the difference between it and marijuana.

Since it is nearing Christmas, my thoughts are turned to our spending practices. It is estimated that $65 billion is spent annually on holiday gifts. Why not play a little Scroogenomics, which is solid economics, not "bah humbug."

(As for) allocating resources (getting stuff to the right people), holiday giving is a complete loser.

If you spend $50 on yourself, you'll get something worth $50 to you. But if "Aunt Bessie" buys you a $50 Christmas gift, she's likely to buy something that's worthless to you, and it may wind up in our landfill ... heaven forbid; our landfills are overloaded as it is.

Christmas shopping is OK, but why go to extreme?

"Going green" seems to take priority in the thinking these days. It is important. The world, partially, is in the shape economically due to the extravagant way we have been living for many years.

We need to tighten our belts and begin being frugal (thrifty). Thrift comes from an old Norse verb, meaning "to thrive."

So the saying goes, "thrift is wise, prudential, intelligent, grateful and always self-controlled."

So, we need to put a cap on our WANTS and stick to taking care of our needs.

We can do this, in part, by being energy-conscious at home, buying clothes at yard sales and vintage stores, and similar actions -- all save money and reduce our impact on the planet.

Simplify, simplify, simplify.

Does this make you want to burn your credit card? Save more, pay off your debts and borrow less?

Join the brigade.

Merry Christmas everyone and God bless.

Sincerely,

Esther Wissbaum,

McCook