Image from Flickr.

People tend to get very stressed out during the holidays. From mid-November to January, the ringleaders of families or groups of friends often appear tightly wound and overworked. If you’re the one saddled with hosting, planning and making Thanksgiving dinner this year, it doesn’t have to be that way.

The key to having a low-stress Thanksgiving is knowing “perfect” is a relative term. Realize in advance that everything will not fit the textbook definition of perfect. If you’ve got food and people at the table, you’re in good shape. Don’t get caught up in the details. Remember that Thanksgiving is remember what we’re grateful for, not being upset about things that don’t go as planned.

There are a few other things you can do this weekend to help things goes smoothly.

Plan your menu

A little planning today will save you a lot of stress next weekend and in the days just before Thanksgiving. As you’re planning out your meal, make sure you take cost into account so you don’t end up needing online cash loans at the last minute to pay for food. This weekend, sit down and plan your menu. If you have others contributing, call them to confirm what they’re bringing.

Find recipes for all the dishes you plan to make. Print them out and make a shopping list so that next weekend you are ready to hit the grocery store. Make sure you check your kitchen for the stuff you already have. Think carefully about kitchenware that you’ll need so if you have to buy a whisk or a turkey pan or a serving dish, you can get all of the food at extras at the same time.

Get your RSVPs

Make sure you know how many people are coming to your dinner, as this is crucial to planning your menu. However, I recommend making extra food for two reasons:

1. Leftovers are awesome
2. It will keep you from stressing out in the event of unexpected guests

My family and friends are the type of people who would invite the UPS delivery person in for a slice of turkey. If you make extras, you can open your home to people who happen by and share the warmth of your celebration and your food without feeling added pressure. If you end up with the expected amount of guests or fewer, keep the leftovers, and that’s a few more days when you won’t have to cook.

Many people now avoid the hassle of busy stores during the holiday season by shopping online.

Retail stores have long awaited, prepared for and depended on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, as a huge day for sales — a day that can single-handedly put them in the black. Of course, the Internet is changing the way people do everything nowadays, including shop.

Cyber Monday marks the latest shift in shopping trends. Online retailers already are preparing for Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, and the day when online shoppers kick it into high gear and start their online holiday shopping. Retailers hoping to cash in on this trend will be offering special deals on Cyber Monday.

Black Friday still black

Though Cyber Monday is becoming an increasingly popular day for online retailers to pull in fast cash, Black Friday is a big day for online sales as well. Retailers who want to make the most out of holiday shopping season would be wise to run promotions on both Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

I think it is strange that online shopping gets clustered together, and I wonder why Cyber Monday is the day people pick to do their online shopping. Online retailers operate 24/7, so why wouldn’t people get their shopping done Saturday or Sunday?

Holidays keep businesses alive

Black Friday has long been the make-it-or-break-it day for many retailers. It’s called Black Friday because it’s the day that many retailers end up “in the black” for the year.

That is, retailers begin to make a profit on Black Friday after operating at a loss for most of the year. Basically, end-of-the-year holidays are the sole reason many stores stay business.

Find Cyber Monday deals

Besides being a big moneymaker for online retailers, Cyber Monday is also a web site. You can check out all kinds of deals offered on Cyber Monday and find a plethora of online retailers at CyberMonday.com.

Luxury Italian Suits

Saks Fifth Avenue is looking a little red-faced and it’s not over a Payday Loan. They decided to buy up the entire production of an Italian manufacturer which they planned to sell at top prices. That was in the good old days before the recession.

Looking like a million bucks

Saks Fifth Avenue department stores have been wooing one of the world’s most exclusive menswear lines for years. The manufacturer is Kiton from Italy, who make a hand-sewn man’s suit that looks like a million bucks no matter whose shoulders it’s hanging on.

Welcome to the Kiton Boutique!

The Saks’s dream was to open a sumptuous Kiton boutique in New York and they made it happen. The problem was that on opening day instead of being able to welcome a horde of eager buyers they opened the doors to find the worst U.S. recession in 70 years lurking on their doorstep.

Time for a new wardrobe?

Guys, this is the time to take advantage. Go down there and see what you can pick up. I myself cannot make it; I have a previous commitment to make some money.  Off-the-rack suits are running at about $7,000 or if you are an odd size or pear-shaped and need a made-to-measure suit, around $21,000.

Don’t forget the sunglasses!

Yeah, it’s a lot. But they have Kiton sunglasses for $1,395 and jeans running at $795. It’s almost worth buying two pairs! Actually, if you play your cards right, you could pick up the second pair using your Payday Loan. That will save laying out cold hard cash.

The showroom

The showroom is a 2,000 square-foot boutique devoted to the Italian luxury label. The floor is of marble from Carrara in Italy, the same white marble that Michelangelo used for his sculptures. The opening cocktail party is set for February 26th and all the Saks top customers will be there.

Then there are the mark-downs

The decision to import this merchandise was made when times were good, but Saks is still embarrassed about introducing such costly garments in such rough times, especially when it is marking some high-grade merchandise down by 70 percent.

For the man who insists on presenting himself unaffected by what’s going on around him, Saks can now provide the perfect answer. At its particular spot as an American icon, a luxury retailer like Saks must walk the thin line between lowering its image and maintaining its status as a purveyor of elite brands.

What of us?

Many Americans are walking around in last year’s suits and dresses. Every major store is experiencing sales declines. Saks too has been hit. Their sales fell 23.7 percent last month and they eliminated 1400 jobs.

There certainly is no shame in not shopping for new clothes this year. Part of the downturn we are facing now is certainly due to our spending and excess spending. Remember the new clothes, new jeans, new shoes and a new car we bought when we really didn’t need them but bought them because we liked the color, because the neighbors bought one or simply because they were there?

Doing without

I will apply for a Payday Loan but I will definitely pass on a new pair of Saks Kiton jeans although they would probably improve my image one thousand percent. I will spend the loan money on the top item of my emergency list and get some food into the refrigerator.

There are costs involved in getting a new job and a payday loan is the perfect solution.  At some point, those of us who were part of the layoffs are bound to get new jobs.  We will become the ‘office newbie.’

The newbie

Unless we have many friends in the new place, being the newbie is like being a new student, with everything unfamiliar and uncertain.  Of course, we learn to adjust and get to know more people, but it is the process of doing so that can be very uncomfortable.  From joining expensive lunches to buying clothes that fit the unofficial dress code of the organization’s culture, the dynamics and politics of being in a new workplace may take its toll on the budget.

Making a Good Impression

Part of the rite of passage of any new employee is proving oneself, and with that comes proper presentation.  Not too many companies approve of wearing old jeans and Keds, so it is but expected to appear professional in business attire. Even in a creative environment, what you wear says a lot about you.  So you’ll probably take that trip to the mall and find clothes that are well-made, of good quality and above all, look nice, and think you’re all set.

What happens if you get to your new office and find that your new coworkers wear Prada and Armani? You would have to run back to the store and exchange your new purchases for designer brands.  This may sound terribly unrealistic and illogical, but the need for approval sometimes overrides anyone’s better judgment.

Twice-a-day Starbucks?

On top of that, your new friends may be the types who lunch at places you rarely ever go to, mainly because of the exorbitant prices.  But in the spirit of camaraderie and to get on their good side, you find yourself shelling out a week’s equivalent of your food budget—and that’s just for Monday lunch.  Add the twice-a-day Starbucks fix, and soon you’ll realize that you should have asked for a bigger salary.

Be Yourself and Still Make New Friends

While many continue to fall into this trap of matching new coworkers’ lifestyles, it is an issue that can still be corrected.  But before this can be done, one should take a firm stand on his or her choices!  Would you rather bring your own lunch to work?  Do so and perhaps you can join your coworkers for dessert once a week.  Take advantage of the free coffee at the office and save yourself from the high-calorie concoctions at designer coffee shops.  And, if you really want to have that particular Prada jacket, make sure the design is classic enough to last you several years.

Waiting for Payday and Payday Loans

But what if it’s too late, and you’ve already charged three designer outfits and several new pairs of shoes to your credit card?  If funds are not enough to cover your bill, don’t fret—payday loans are available to solve your problems.  Because you can borrow anywhere from $100 to $1,500, you can be assured by the thought that you can pay it off in the next paydays.

Mind you, this is not to condone making unreasonable expenses all the time, but payday loans are a practical solution, only in cases of emergency.  What we all have to work on at the workplace is actual work—being efficient, reliable, and forward-thinking—and leave the stigma of keeping up with others back in high school where it belongs.

Payday loans are sometimes necessary. An unexpected financial event can take place, leaving you strapped for extra cash. Instead of applying for payday loans to pay off the unforeseen expense, a lot of people end up paying more on overdraft fees and other penalty charges.

Payday loans are short-term, designed as a last resort for those who are in financial dire straits. Although payday loans are a great option when you are short on money, time and resources, there are ways to prepare for any unexpected events that may occur in the future. Difficult times are moving people towards payday loans and on the search for ways to make and save more money.

Preventative Measures to Make

Amidst the current economic crisis, we can’t afford to waste any money. The economy is still at its worst and there appears to be no sign of things getting better any time soon. However, we should not allow ourselves to shrink back and avert from the horizon. There are essential steps to make in order to secure your current and future financial stability.

Overspending is one of the biggest mistakes people make. Before you venture out into the world of market, plan out a budget and create a shopping list that fits well within that budget. This will help you avoid making purchases on impulse. Stick to what you need. Of course it can be hard to pass up a great deal, especially with all these crazy close-out sales going on. But learning to calm your urges as soon as they ascend will instill a lasting sense of financial freedom no discount sale can offer. Stick with simplicity.

Spending Enough to Buy Starbucks

Another huge expense is coffee. Yes you caffeine junkies, I said coffee. Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee companies in the nation. Despite the declining economic conditions, the company still manages to scrape in some hundreds of millions of dollars in net earnings. Even with a deteriorating economy, consumers are still willing to pay $4 for a latte. But that $4 you spend on a daily basis can accumulate to an enormous amount of money that could be going into your savings fund. What should you do you ask? It’s actually quite simple. Invest in a coffee maker and make your own coffee at home.

Having Dignity in Saving

There is no shame to apply for payday loans or even by clipping coupons. Times like these, finding ways to create an extra money flow is absolutely important. Comparing prices of products in different grocery stores, buying store brands, and buying in bulk are some of the best ways you can save money. Create homemade meals around staples such as beans, rice, and pasta. You can put together a delicious feast the family will enjoy and still have extra cash in your pocket.

Get Back on Track With a Payday Loan

There are many things you can do to save money. By practicing these money saving techniques, your chances of needing payday loans in the future will be slim to none. However, there may be times when life’s surprising affairs will cause you to stumble and fall short on your finances; applying for payday loans may be your best option.

Wisteria fast becoming a hot property

Antiques are some of the most popular shopping items, as antique stores and antique trade shows pull in thousands, and some running for payday loans to be able to pick up the relic they prize as the ultimate addition to their home.  Antiques Road Show, the popular TV program has a strong following that it has maintained in the US and elsewhere for over a decade, and one of the hottest furniture catalogs these days is the Wisteria collection.

Wisteria, named for a particular type of climbing vine like kudzu or woodbine, is a home furnishing catalog that specializes in antique style furniture.   Well, just as age advances the price on designer jeans (artificially, I might add) the price advances on furniture that has an already lived in look.  The cheapest of chests of drawers from this company go for $999, and once again, that is the cheapest.  The antique craze has been steadily taking off and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

From new stuff to distressed stuff

The trend in earlier decades was to get your self new stuff, things that were bright and shiny and unblemished, the newest and best stuff that you could get and in so doing “keep up with the Joneses” (although this mythical “Jones” family that started it has yet to surface) and in ways that trend continues with the technology craze, but when it comes to everything else, except cars and cell phones and what not, the idea has become the reverse over the last 40 years – that status is assessed by the ancient pedigree of your stuff.

Some things, of course, are understandably great antiques, like vintage cars of the glory days of Detroit and the long sought after Holy Grails of musicians, like an unblemished 1958 Gibson Les Paul or pre CBS Fender Stratocaster guitars, and even guitar companies are starting to market “distressed” models, or guitars that, whilst being brand new, look as if they’ve seen decades of use.  The pre-worn jeans market exploded over the last five years or so, with pairs of jeans that look like they belong in a second hand store are easily fetching over $100 at retail stores.   It seems that the ultimate irony is becoming that the best of the best looks like crap.

This stuff is expensive

The vintage and antique industry, in both trading of actual antiques and of pre-antiqued items, is a thriving business, pulling in billions, and antique stuff is actually very interesting.  Buying new all the time has its drawbacks, though, and if you have a new expense that wrecks the old budget, you can distress that expense out of existence with payday loans.

Another Round of Bad Shopping Habits

The third of the more notable books in Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series is entitled Shopaholic and Baby, where main character and ultimate shopaholic Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) is happily married and pregnant with her first child.  Though the previous novels demonstrated how Becky was able to wean herself off her neurotic spending habits and learned a lesson or two in managing her finances, this new installment shows how old habits just keep coming back.  Specifically, now that she is with child, Becky resorts to even more justifications regarding her shopping rituals and credit card use.  For first-time mothers, it is easy to relate to Becky’s logic; however, wanting to give your baby the best need not run toward frivolity and envy.

Only the Best for Baby

Becky’s notorious materialism reaches greater heights in this novel, as she is pictured on the quest for the handsomest celebrity home with a shoe room to boot, as well as engaging the services of an A-list obstetrician.  Of course, her daily shopping sprees also move to a higher level—while hunting for the most coveted designer baby clothes and shoes, she just has to find matching outfits for herself.  Though her antics are fun to read and laugh at, it is difficult to believe that such a person exists—unless we’re talking about new celebrity moms like Nicole Richie or Jessica Alba.  Or maybe even Britney Spears a few years back, assuming she wanted to do things other than shaving her head.  A regular mom-to-be with enough financial resources would still be reasonable in adjusting to her new condition and preparing for that much-awaited arrival, yet might find herself in a bit of a situation born out of excitement and anticipation.  Doctor’s appointments, medication, and extra expenses to cover the baby’s needs are expected, which will continue well into the baby’s birth.  While plans for the baby’s future may already be under way, the immediate concerns may run over any set budget.

Happy Payday

Times like these don’t need to be stressful, and you certainly don’t have to deprive yourself or your baby.  For emergency expenses, or when the budget just won’t cover everything you need, take out payday loans.  But remember, the important thing here is to know your priorities; thinking Becky Brandon-style just won’t do.  You will have to list your priorities, and these should only include what you need, versus what you want.  Or, if you are confident that you will be able to pay off the loan realistically, you can very well add on a few extras and conveniences that will make the upcoming event a bit more special.

Payday loans are there to help you out, to make things easier, to assure you that some help is available when you need it—and only for good reason.  For today’s practical mom, baby’s arrival need not keep up with the hype of celebrity living—what is important is bringing a healthy baby into the world, whose future is hopefully bright and secure. As for Becky Brandon, here’s hoping that this new responsibility will give her a bit more character and reason, and that she will plan for her family’s future instead of her next shopping extravaganza.

It’s almost like payday loans, but a different kind of borrowing. Ever thought of rocking a Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel, Gucci, or maybe a Versace? What about some stunning jewels? Perhaps you’ve been drooling over some of these high-end luxury accessories but have no money to actually get your hand on it. This company has found a way to expand the luxury of borrowing.

Bag Borrow or Steal – Like Payday Loans, Like Netflix

Bag Borrow or Steal, the nation’s largest “borrowed luxury” retailer, allows women to borrow designer handbags and jewelry. They have become the single largest rental luxury service online. The company operates a little like payday loans, and almost exactly like NetFlix. Customers pay a monthly fee for access to a collection of authentic designer handbags and accessories. You can keep them for as long as you want. When you feel you need a new look, mail the item(s) back and get new ones. You pay $15 a week for a Couch and up to $150 for Vintage. One of the best parts is that there is no late fee.

The Beauty of Borrowing

Bag Borrow or Steal has more than just luxurious handbags. Customers are also able to get their hands on fancy sunglasses, watches and beautiful jewels.  Everything is certified authentic and goes through a rigorous 10-point refurbishing process before it ships to you—so it arrives looking like new. If you’re worried about giving something too much “loving use”, the company also offers inexpensive optional insurance coverage against excessive wear.

You can also earn points as you borrow. When you build up enough points, you will be given a reward which plays as some kind of discount on your next borrow. If you borrow for 90 consecutive days you’ll earn six points per dollar you spend. What a way to borrow!

How to “Steal” a Handbag

Pay attention because this is one of the best parts. If you fall in love with an item you’ve borrowed, you can “steal” it! And no you silly, I’m not saying you can take it and run. The company offers the option to buy the bag at a discounted price determined by the accessory’s age, condition and how easy it will be to replace. If you have an account with them, you can visit your closet, select ENJOYING NOW and find the item you like. Once you find the item you’re looking for, click the STEAL IT button and a message will pop up telling you if the item is up for sale, and if so how much it will cost. Afterwards, all you need to do is simply hit purchase and it’s yours; as simple as applying for payday loans.

Borrowing a Handful of Luxury

The Seattle based handbag-rental company is looking to expand their luxury by offering luggages, evening wear and other “couture” accessories. The fairly-new luxury market is expected to grow at a rate of 15 percent each year, possibly reaching $1 trillion by the end of the decade.

Bag Borrow or Steal is a great way to rock the latest, hottest trends, from Sex and The City to European finds, without costing you a fortune. Best of all, everything is available at the click of a mouse. That means more time on your hands, especially when you have other important things to deal with. Just like payday loans, it’s quick and convenient!

Payday Loan month is here. Every year we have the same problem in January. January is notorious as the sales month, where you could save so much money on the things you need, yet, after you’ve spent all of your money on the holidays, it’s also the hardest month of the year financially.

This is where a payday loan can really help

Have you seen the shoes in the windows? And the clothes hanging on the racks? Have you seen the colors and the styles? All the stuff you couldn’t afford before winter is now on sale at half price and you’re determined to save money.  You know you’re going to end up buying these items anyway, only at a much higher price later.

The sandals

The problem with sales shopping, as we women know, is that you start with one little item, say a pair of sandals. They are light; they are pretty; they are something you will wear only a few times when you go down to the beach.  But they are on sale, January clearance even, so you buy them. It’s no big deal.  And, buying on sale and getting a bargain is like getting a vitamin shot; it makes you feel good. The cashier puts them in a bag. You pay and turn to walk out then you see that pair of shoes that you have been looking for the whole year. Is this where they’ve been hiding?

The shoes

You try them; they fit like they were painted onto your feet so you buy them too. They were not exactly on sale, but you’d been looking for them all year. You walk out of the store and you know already that it’s going to mean taking out a payday loan to pay for what you just bought. The shoes are Burgundy, a deep shade of red almost unknown in the fashion industry. They need a dress to make them look good. You know you need these shoes and clothes for work.  If you can find the dress on a January clearance sale, it will all be worth it.

The dress

Now the hunt starts. You go from store to store, the cheap ones, the expensive ones, the ones with the sales and the ones that never hold sales. Burgundy, repeats the cashier, burgundy? You find a red dress. It’s not exactly burgundy, more the color of a Bordeaux wine. You’ll have to put the shoes on to make sure these colors are in sync and don’t clash. It works. The dress is more expensive than you would have hoped, but on clearance, none-the-less and the cashier assures you, it is the only one in town.

The coat

The cashier guides you to the exit of the dress department. Perhaps, she suggests, you should stop at the coats on the way to the elevator. They are on clearance and it’s still pretty cold outside, she smiles. You nod, lost now in the shopping excitement. The third coat is just right. Both the size and more importantly, the color, are perfect. Don’t wrap that, you say. I’ll wear it. It’s still pretty cold outside.

The glasses

At home you put all the new clothes on and stand in front of the mirror. Not a bad day’s work, you think. There are still a few adjustments necessary. Change in nail polish for sure and oh my, new eye glasses. Super high density progressive bifocals and brother do they cost! You wonder  if they are on clearance somewhere.

The bill

Well, it’s definitely worth a payday loan! You wonder if you can order a double?

Adding to the perception that shoppers will always find discounts of 70 percent or more: liquidation sales. After the worst holiday shopping season in years, many retailers are closing up shop. That means they are selling their merchandise for next to nothing while those merchants lucky enough to still be in business are putting their new spring products on the shelves.

Economics of expectation

After weeks of being able to find products at deep discounts, shoppers are used to it. Furthermore, they expect it. Other factors contribute to this demand for super-low prices. For one, with a shrinking economy and unemployment on the rise, many consumers simply can’t afford regular prices.

Another factor is perception regarding the value of merchandise. After being able to acquire goods at a fraction of the original price, people are questioning the value of these items. Shoppers figure if a retailer sold a $200 pair of jeans for $50, then those jeans must really only be worth $50.

70 is the new 50

Retailers used to be able to attract customers by offering 40 to 50 percent off. Now shoppers are saying that’s not enough. A professor of marketing at the Golden Gate University’s Ageno School of Business says the perception of what is a good deal has changed. She says a sale has to be at least 70 percent off to be considered a bargain now.

Upscale retailer DKNY in New York is offering “Up to 90 percent off” on items left over from the holidays. Being able to get items at 10 percent of the original price certainly changes the perception of the value of an item. Shoppers aren’t going to run out and get a payday loan to buy the newest fashion trend if they think they can buy it later for a fraction of the price.

Strategies in the war on deflation

Some retailers are trying to find creative ways to combat this trend of slashing prices. Some electronics merchants are offering bundled products — throwing in a free DVD player with purchase of a new TV, for instance. But many market analysts do not believe this strategy will work.

Some retailers, like J. Crew are simply marking down their new merchandise from the beginning. Even though J. Crew is offering brand-new merchandise, many are already on sale for 25 to 40 percent off.

So what is the real price?

So, I have to question: If an item is already discounted 25 to 40 percent off when it hits the shelf, who is to say that’s not the actual price of the item?

It reminds me of those commercials starring Billy Mays, where he professes that the “Big City Slider Station” is really worth hundreds of dollars, even though no one in the history of the world has ever had to pay that much for one. In fact, if you ACT NOW, you can have one for only $30 and he’ll throw in an extra one! And a bunch of other free stuff. A gazillion dollar value for just $29.95!

Future of value perception

Yes, it will be interesting to see if this new trend in retail expectation causes stores to jack up their prices just so they can mark them down. I predict that will be the new trend.

In the meantime, if you’re thinking of taking out a payday loan to buy a Bedazzler or a year supply of OxiClean, you might want to hold off. Even if Billy Mays says you have to call within the next 10 minutes to take advantage of this GREAT DEAL, I’m sure the same commercial will be on again after your next paycheck. But if you’re worried about late fees on bills or bounced checks, a payday loan could be just the right fix.

Related Articles

• Stores fear holiday sales may stick

Hand-me-down sales go up

Secondhand stores such as Buffalo Exchange are pulling in extra cash left and right. The store  has 34 locations across the country from Eugene, Oregon, to Manhattan, New York.  Despite the fact that Buffalo Exchange pays for its merchandise, unlike many other thrift stores, it pulls in revenue of $50 million a year. The recession also causes people to be more willing to sell their clothing, so Buffalo Exchange has plenty of good-quality merchandise rolling in.

Buffalo Exchange isn’t the only secondhand store profiting during the economic downturn. A survey from the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops says 74 percent had increased sales in October and November compared to last year. Thrift store giants Goodwill and The Salvation Army have both seen significant gains.

Something old, not something new

Regular retail stores haven’t been so lucky. Research shows a 2.3 percent drop in retail sales this year and a 16 percent drop in store traffic. Sales went up in the days after Christmas as shoppers raced to take advantage of post-holiday bargains, but it wasn’t enough to salvage the season.

It was reported earlier that stores were showing lower sales this year. The final figures show sales even lower than expected. Even payday loans didn’t help. The extra cash stores missed out on during the holiday season will continue to haunt retailers throughout the next year.

It’s so hard to say goodbye

In the coming months retails sales will likely continue to decline. The months following Christmas are historically the worst for retails sales. Also, a pattern that emerged in 2008 will likely continue in 2009.

Some big-box stores in strip malls went bankrupt or out of business, leaving the space empty. Without the big-box retailers, the smaller stores in the strip malls saw less traffic and lower sales. As this pattern continues, Excess Space Retail Services predicts 14,000 stores will close in 2009. Chain stores will take a big hit, says the International Council of Shopping Centers, and likely 3,100 stores in that category will close in the first half of the year.

How will this affect me?

Consumers will not only have fewer stores to shop at next year, they will have fewer choices once they get inside. Experts predict there will be less brand variety as more companies go out of business.

Some large prominent chains have already gone under, including Linens n Things, Steve & Barry’s, KB Toys, Whitehall Jewelers and Shoe Pavilion. My personal prediction: Jewelry stores are going to take a hard hit as consumers continue to shy away from buying luxury items.

Even electronics sellers such as Circuit City are barely hanging on. If only payday loans could help.  Unless stores figure out creative ways to pull in extra cash and avoid bankruptcy, we are going to see a whole new landscape in the retail world.

You might be making the journey via plane, train, or automobile. My sympathies are with you.  You may be eager to embrace your loved ones or you may be dreading your visit with “those” relatives. We all have stories to tell. Fond memories brought back by aromas in the kitchen, or nervous ticks due to flashbacks from screaming fits thrown by the unreasonable – - you have a listening ear with me. I have seen it all. From screams of joy upon arrival at the airport to being hit with projectile vomit in a trapped car – -I have learned how to be prepared.

Nostalgic or Nauseas?

Now don’t let my trip down memory lane leave you reaching for the Advil already! There is hope! There are a few keys to remember when you are making a road trip across country.

Make a list.

First, make it fun! However you’re traveling – - you are trapped in a small space for awhile – - so make a list of DVDs, music, or just think of silly games you can play while in transit. If you’re tapped with children, my advice would be to bring anything plastic. Bottles, zip lock bags, or even a tarp [if you can manage it].

Let go of expectations.

Secondly, turn “off” any tapes in your head about any expected behavior regarding your out-laws – - oops! – - I meant in-laws. Who knows what may have happened since the last time you’ve seen them? Also, consider how much effort it takes to turn those events over and over again in your mind? Let go of expectations. You won’t be disappointed and may even be surprised.

Don’t dwell on the bad, think of the good.

Thirdly, make a conscience effort to remember “the good’ about the ones you are travelling to see.  Not the times your mother noticed how much weight you’ve gained [not that I would know anything about that!] or how your uncle chews with his mouth open and how he desperately needs to pluck his nose hairs. If this is too difficult, I advise you to look into being medicated before your arrival. Fourthly, grant some extra grace for those that you have hatched from that may still be inept. None of us are perfect, and I’m sure at one point or another you were not as lovely as you may be now.

Run away – or just change the subject.

Fifthly,  investigate other alternatives to the same stressful situations. If, for example, you are trapped in the kitchen with gossipy gals – - run away! No, that’s probably not good advice so maybe just bluntly mention some other exciting news in your life that is an abrupt off ramp to the freeway that you were heading down.

Therapy?

The sixth thing to remember is to value what is most precious to you.  It may not be the stringy casserole that Aunt Marion made, but instead it might be her reminiscing about the times when you were little [and how adorable you were].  And lastly, [thank heavens!], take a mental snapshot of everyone in the room. Burn it into your brain and strive to not duplicate any crazy behavior for the innocent generations to come.  If it is too late for that, then consider payday loans for therapy sessions. Your children will thank you.

Remember the following:

Fun

Off

Remember

Grant

Investigate

Value

Everyone

If you do that, you will more than likely lengthen your life. Or take out payday loans and buy the first bus ticket home!

The Biggest Gift Items are often the Biggest Targets

One of the largest gift ideas that many of us have for our loved ones is jewelry.  Now obviously, the jewelry that a lot of people like to be able to afford during the holidays goes beyond your average pearl or cubic zirconium earrings; we’re talking the high class, multiple thousand dollar diamond necklace, or bracelet, or ring type of stuff here.  Jewelry is a constant attention getter for thieves. On Thursday, December 4th, a diamond heist went down at the Paris location of Harry Winston Jewelers as night was beginning to fall and just before the store was about to close.  Harry Winston is one of the largest and high class jewelry companies in the world – some of the particular store that was robbed has a clientele list that lists names like: Richard Burton (the actor who was married to Elizabeth Taylor), Aristotle Onassis (Greek shipping tycoon, married Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of JFK), Nicolas Sarkozy (The President of France), the former Shah of Iran, Scarlett Johannson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Swank, just a few.  The heist went down in a matter of only a few minutes, the robbers being very well prepared, and made off with €85 million, or about $108 million dollars, or over a hundred million payday loans‘ worth.  The robbers may not be likely to find a buyer for extremely high price jewelry including rings and watches that will be far too easily identified, but its likely mobsters will be able to find buyers around the world with the ill gotten gains.  Apparently, three of the robbers were dressed as females, so as to drag investigation efforts to a slower pace.  This is the second time the Paris Harry Winston store has been robbed in a the last year, as they were robbed almost a year to the day of about $16 million in cash and jewels.

Hopefully, Santa will bring these thieves a lump of coal – and a prison sentence

We all know what it is like to wish we had some extra money during the holidays.  It would be great to get everybody the things on their wish list, make the family happy, and see our wives or girl friends eyes go wide open as we put a big shiny rock on their finger, but we’re not going to rob anybody to do it.  However, we do know that if we have a sudden expense come up, in the holiday season or not, we have legal, affordable, responsible options to help us out, such as payday loans.

Sister, I Feel Your Pain

Towards the end of my rounds, I was persuaded to pay a visit to Hot Topic by the sight of their “Half off of Clearance” advertisements out front. Knowing that they catered to fans of the music I was into, I stepped inside and had a gander at their current offerings.

I wasn’t too thrilled at the dirt-cheap clothing deals, but wove my way down the aisle to their rack of clearance CDs. After thumbing through rack after rack of the same compilations and really obscure titles, it was then that I found, nestled between a mess of bad emo and punk mix discs, a brand new, factory sealed copy of The Sisters of Mercy’s First and Last and Always album.

Released in 1985, the British act’s album is widely-considered one of the pivotal albums in the evolution of Goth music, whose brilliance has never been replicated (All Music Guide). Not to mention, it was one I’d been hearing a lot of on a Goth rock station I had recently begun listening to and had fallen in love with. Therefore, the $4.50 price tag was very hard to say no to.

No Fax Payday Loans and a New Style!

On Finding My Place

Long story short, I fell in love with not just the band, but also the style of music, upon first listen. In no time flat, my Goth collection began to grow, populated by such now favorites as the Cure, more Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, The Mission, and Fields of the Nephilim, amongst others. By the time I entered my senior year of high school, I was ready and raring to clear the last hurdle to become a full-fledged Goth; starting to dress the part.

Taking my mom’s advice of, “if you’re going to do it, you have to do it right,” I knew that I had some more homework to do. By the end of it, my wardrobe had received the Gothic makeover, I was walking to school to my new soundtrack, and I was in the process of perfecting the art of Gothic makeup and finger nail painting.

Now, yes, with a college degree in tow and an office job as a professional writer and editor, the makeup and nail polish have been stowed away in the back of my medicine cabinet. However, I still am an ardent supporter of the culture, and make a point of keeping the music a staple of my typical work day.

Mapping a Course

If you’re reading this, chances are that you have your own son or daughter who practices the Gothic lifestyle (don’t worry; you really don’t have anything to worry about). If so, it is almost inevitable that the fashion and other means of exterior appearance are two things they intend to make regular parts of this new found identity.

Next time, I’ll show you how to find these fashions, and how no fax payday loans can help you finance them.
ARCHIVE: Part 1