money matters by sylvester clemente
K.I.S.S.
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
When did anything that you purchased really improve your life measurably?
On the other hand, have you ever purchased something later wishing that you
had not? Taken a step further, have you ever purchased something for yourself
and never worn or used it? My final step from my initial question is…have you
ever purchased something for someone else, never to see them wear it or know of
them to use it? We buy so much for ourselves that goes wasted. We buy so much
stuff for others, often out of obligation that never gets used or consumed. I write
to you this month hoping to stop, or slow, this behavior.
Please do not forget to love yourself this holiday season. Don’t buy things to
impress others, or flatter yourself. There is nothing more foolish than people buy-
ing True Religion jeans for themselves so they appear to have money, while still
living in a family member’s living room. In time, the person who you are trying to
impress will know where/how you live. This is no different from the person who
spends everything they make on a leased Lexus or BMW, but cannot afford to buy
himself dinner out. It’s boring and pathetic. Don’t aspire to be someone you are obligation…despite what advertising companies tell us.
not this year, live within your means. My final topic emanates from a conversation with my friend Tom Smith of
This year, more than any that I can recall, are people considering giving es- Oaxaca, Mexico. Tom, who has since retired from a successful career in advertis-
sentials, as holiday gifts. I love it. Extravagances are sooo last economic cycle! Be ing, reminded me of one very important point. Concisely he said, “Don’t believe
trendy; give a gift of need, not of extravagance, this holiday season. advertising.” He and I discussed my favorite example, when Campbell’s Soup
Please resist overindulging yourself and others this year. You can have just as put clear marbles at the bottom of the bowl, in pictures of their vegetable soup.
great a time exchanging essentials as you can any gift. C’mon how funny would Because Campbell’s didn’t like the way the soup looked (too much broth, not
it be opening a gift-wrapped box of Tide? (I like the HE with Bleach for all of you enough vegetables) on camera, they put clear marbles in the bowl. This kept the
who know me). You know what a pain it is to carry these things? Put a box under tiny vegetable squares on the top of the bowl, making the soup look better. Today
a friend’s tree and they will love you for it. The same can be said for gift cards from our advertisers are far more sophisticated than they were in the 1960s. What they
Target, Vons, Home Depot, Henry’s or another place that they frequent. Another sell is “the sizzle, not the steak.” Can you remember the last Jimmy Dean Sausage
option is to give a gift of any size to a charity. I won’t get on my soapbox, but I ad that describes each of the ingredients in their product? How about an ad that
would like to suggest a gift in someone else’s name to: Mama’s Pantry, or PAWS shows each step in the process of making one of their sausage patties? Instead
(Pets are wonderful support), The Humane Society, The HRC, Bienestar, Auntie they portray their nitrate, salt and fat laden meat product as something that
Helen’s or Breast Cancer Research can’t be beat. starts your day with good energy. The one that keeps the planets in happy orbit
Another topic that I want to discuss is the use of credit to buy gifts. A lot of us after they eat a Jimmy Dean breakfast is my personal favorite. Conclusion: don’t
are still paying for our 2008 holiday gifts today. If you have had a credit card bal- believe the hype.
ance for the past ten months, you’re one of them. Giving gifts that you cannot The upshot is to employ Sylvester Clemente’s K.I.S.S. principle for this year’s
afford isn’t fair to you. Additionally, I’d expect that the recipients wouldn’t want holiday gifts. “Keep It Simple, Sweetheart.” Give generously if you can, but do not
you to go into debt to buy their gift. If they were okay with you going into debt to if you cannot. Give gifts that people need. Don’t forget those most in need. Do
buy them something, what kind of friends are they? This season isn’t that of holy not be fooled by false promises by those Madison Avenue types.
56 RAGE monthly | December 2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96