December 2008
DecemberDec 31 Wednesday 08
Members Of Congress Get Pay Raises Despite Recession
Members Of Congress Get Pay Raises Despite Recession: "The general public can't help but think that lawmakers are patting themselves on the back and padding their wallets for presiding over the worst fiscal-policy blunders in recent history," said Pete Sepp, vice …
DecemberDec 30 Tuesday 08
More People Chime In: Bad Economy May Be Good For Kids
Working Dad: Economy Will Test Parents, But Some Change Is Good: ""That kind of idea of a perfect parent as defined by their stuff; that era is over,' said Greg Allen, who runs one of the nation's most popular dad blogs, daddytypes.'I think there is going to be a lot of …
Books: Concept Of Frugality Makes Comeback
Concept Of Frugality Makes Comeback: "How, exactly, does a person go from living large to living within his or her means? The answer lies in "unhooking your thinking from consumer culture," say the authors of the classic personal finance tome Your Money or Your …
DecemberDec 29 Monday 08
Bad Economy Can Teach Kids How To Cope
Bad Economy Can Teach Kids How To Cope: "'We shield youngsters from so much adversity trying to keep them happy that we deprive them of the practice they need navigating rough waters," he said. "There's no other way to develop resilience except by facing adversity. It's …
Poor Economy Blamed For Rise In Shoplifting
Poor Economy Blamed For Rise In Shoplifting: "It's never been as bad as it is now," said David Malefsky, senior vice president at Cambridge Security Services, which works with several national chains. "When people start panicking, they revert to crime."
Quick, now's …
Thanks To Everyone For A Great First Year at Twoshirts.org!
We want to thank everyone for making it an incredible first year at Twoshirts.org. In 2008 we grew to 1450 members in 35 states who gave each other over 1300 free items, from baby supplies, to bicycles, to computers, to clothing.
DecemberDec 24 Wednesday 08
Blogging on Hold Until After Christmas
I just wanted you all to know that we'll be putting the blog on a "Christmas break" while we spend time with family and celebrate the season. The blog will be back online Monday, December 29th.
Merry Christmas and Happy holidays from Twoshirts.org!
Jason Coker
DecemberDec 21 Sunday 08
Guilty About Past Excesses, The Nation Is Renewing Its Frugality
Britain Stiffens That Old Upper Lip In Downturn: "Discount grocery stores, which have seen a surge in shoppers, have abandoned efforts to sell "premium" products, instead touting frozen vegetables--less spoilage--and sandwich bags for workers who can no longer afford …
Generosity Part Of American Heritage
Generosity Part Of American Heritage: "Brooks' research confirms that Americans are a nation of givers and that no developed country approaches us in giving. One comprehensive study from the '90s showed that per capita, Americans gave 3
Frugal Nation: Even DC Lobbyists Are Tightening Their Belts!
Frugal Nation: Even DC Lobbyists Are Tightening Their Belts! "The shift in attitude is palpable in the nation's capital. The lavish holiday parties hosted by lobbyists and think tanks are fewer and more modest this year."
Anybody checked the temperature in hell lately?
DecemberDec 19 Friday 08
The Science of Shopping: The Way The Brain Buys
The Science of Shopping: The Way The Brain Buys: "Scientists used to assume that emotion and rationality were opposed to each other, but Antonio Damasio, now professor of neuroscience at the University of Southern California, has found that people who lose the ability …
Why Do The Poor And Homeless Make Us So Angry?
In response to the e-mail I sent out yesterday highlighting our efforts to collect food and clothing for homeless teens in Oceanside, Ca, I received this response from a (now former) member:
"they can get jobs like most normal people !! dont send me your bull**** …
Bad Economy, Cold Weather, Send More Homeless Families To Los Angeles
Los Angeles County Shelters Brim With Families: "The key is to get away from the shelter during the day, the tired-looking 33-year-old said. Head to the park, to a friend's house, to any place where she can pretend, for a while anyway, that she is just another mom on an …
Remember Layaway? It's Back In Style!
This Giving Season Takes Us Back To Layaways, Frugality: "My mother financed all of her Christmases this way, back in the day before everyone who walked and breathed had a Visa card. I admit I've never used it myself. I prefer charging and then paying off the bill each …
Research Confirms Giving Is Just Plain Good For Us
Research Confirms Giving Is Just Plain Good For Us: "Researchers have found that the act of donating to charity triggers the release of endorphins (the brain's feel-good chemicals), making givers feel glorious. According to a New York Sun article called "Why Giving …
For Tips On Frugality, Look To India
For Tips On Frugality, Look To India: "Watching Americans try to make themselves frugal is like watching Mongolians try to make Bordeaux wine."
Ha! That gets my vote for the funniest line of the year! Great article, read the whole thing.
DecemberDec 17 Wednesday 08
Rebranding Luxury As The New Frugality In My Old Home Town
Today, a little taste of what its like living in my old home town of 12 years...
Selling luxury in frugal times: "With the right marketing strategy, Page and Reiter believe private residence clubs are on the brink of an explosion in popularity. For starters, it's a more …
Generosity Of Strangers Brightening Lives Of Families In Motels
Generosity Of Strangers Brightening Lives Of Families In Motels: "I don't like to see anyone or anything go hungry. I don't go hungry, and neither should you."
Well said; I can't think of anything to add.
No Such Things As A Free Economy?
Free? The 'Wired' Economy Is Still 80% Atoms, Not 100% Bits: "The ethos in the age when you sold stuff made of atoms: There is no such thing as a free lunch...The ethos in the age of bits, which have no weight, can't be held and can't be eaten: The best things in life …
Wrongly Convicted Man Finds Generosity In The Community
Generosity Rolls For Freed KC Man: "To Darryl Burton, who spent 24 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit, the car symbolizes much more. The used vehicle represents a lifeline and a tangible sign of the generosity people have bestowed on him. The car represents …