So the economy is continuing to tank, we have all time unemployment rates, and the State of Washington is sending out $1 checks so that they can qualify for more federal money.
And if that were not enough, as the article goes on to say, you don't even have to use the checks to help the state economy. As long as WA sends them out, they qualify for more federal funds.
There just isn't much else to say on that one. Dollar menu anyone?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Bandana Caper
So, I saw something very strange the other day.
I was at Target and noticed a display with some scarves and other accessories on it. As I was perusing what was there, I noticed some bandana material on the rack. I figured someone must have figured out some new, fancy thing to make out of bandanas. Well, I was wrong. It was just a bandana.
Now, it did have one of their brand name labels on it. And, it was hanging on a big plastic ring that you could probably wear as a bangle bracelet if you were really frugal; but it was just a bandana. No frills, no beads, no extra seams, no instruction guide on how to wear it, no bandana history book - just a bandana.
We are all in the midst of an economic crisis, and Target is really missing the mark on this bandana caper. Some poor kid is going to part with some hard earned allowance money for one measly bandana, when they could get six. Six for the same price as one.
I really want to believe that there is a logical and meaningful reason for this. But, I think reality is that it's just greed and dishonesty. The same things that got us into this mess are the things that will continue to go unnoticed if we are not paying attention.
So, keep your eyes open. Compare prices and try to find out if you are getting the real deal. It's brutal out there. Don't let someone pull the bandana in front of your eyes.
I was at Target and noticed a display with some scarves and other accessories on it. As I was perusing what was there, I noticed some bandana material on the rack. I figured someone must have figured out some new, fancy thing to make out of bandanas. Well, I was wrong. It was just a bandana.
Now, it did have one of their brand name labels on it. And, it was hanging on a big plastic ring that you could probably wear as a bangle bracelet if you were really frugal; but it was just a bandana. No frills, no beads, no extra seams, no instruction guide on how to wear it, no bandana history book - just a bandana.
I thought that was kind of neat. Something retro, catching on again, and finding a new audience. That's cool.
I also wondered if the economy might have something to do with it by returning to simple things that everyone can appreciate and latching on to tried and true items that can be used in lots of ways. So, I went over to see what it cost. (I had a collection of them as a kid and just wondered what the going rate was.)
That's when I started to feel that the universe, or at least Target, was playing a trick on me. The bandana was $9.99. One bandana. One. Ten bucks.
Now remember, it comes with a label and a plastic ring - that must make it worth $9.99.
In researching a comparison, I found a red bandana on wholesaleforeveryone.com that I could purchase for $1.72. (It is 100% cotton.) If you were to purchase them by the case, like Target probably would, that brings them down to $.71 ea.
The Target one, as found online (which fails to list the price), is also 100% cotton and for some strange reason is labeled Dry Clean Only. HUH?
Oh, and if you keep searching on their site, you can get a pack of 6 bandanas for $9.99. Strange eh? One bandana for $9.99 or 6 for $9.99.
I also wondered if the economy might have something to do with it by returning to simple things that everyone can appreciate and latching on to tried and true items that can be used in lots of ways. So, I went over to see what it cost. (I had a collection of them as a kid and just wondered what the going rate was.)
That's when I started to feel that the universe, or at least Target, was playing a trick on me. The bandana was $9.99. One bandana. One. Ten bucks.
Now remember, it comes with a label and a plastic ring - that must make it worth $9.99.
In researching a comparison, I found a red bandana on wholesaleforeveryone.com that I could purchase for $1.72. (It is 100% cotton.) If you were to purchase them by the case, like Target probably would, that brings them down to $.71 ea.
The Target one, as found online (which fails to list the price), is also 100% cotton and for some strange reason is labeled Dry Clean Only. HUH?
Oh, and if you keep searching on their site, you can get a pack of 6 bandanas for $9.99. Strange eh? One bandana for $9.99 or 6 for $9.99.
We are all in the midst of an economic crisis, and Target is really missing the mark on this bandana caper. Some poor kid is going to part with some hard earned allowance money for one measly bandana, when they could get six. Six for the same price as one.
I really want to believe that there is a logical and meaningful reason for this. But, I think reality is that it's just greed and dishonesty. The same things that got us into this mess are the things that will continue to go unnoticed if we are not paying attention.
So, keep your eyes open. Compare prices and try to find out if you are getting the real deal. It's brutal out there. Don't let someone pull the bandana in front of your eyes.
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