Don't complain to me about inflation if ...

Yup, the price of almost everything seems to be going up. Blame Putin, Biden, the Fed, corporate America, supply chains, or Satan himself, but don’t complain to me if…

• You buy name brand products instead of store brand or generic
• You drive like a jack rabbit and get rotten mileage
• You buy junk food
• You shop for recreation and spend too much time on Amazon
• You drink bottled water
• You got in on low mortgage/car interest rate recently
• You eat meat more than a few times a week
• You stay in any better quality of lodging than Motel 6 when traveling
• You have multiple internet streaming services
• Your car gets less than 25 mpg
• You buy books, audiobooks, magazines or movies instead of checking them out from the library
• You put gas in an RV, ATV, or boat
• You drink coffee at Starbucks
• You drink, smoke, or guzzle sodas
• Your closets are overflowing with clothes and shoes, but you keep buying more
• You buy anything when it’s not on sale

I am sure I spend my money in ways which you may find frivolous. To each their own. But those of us with some discretionary income should not complain too loudly when fewer dollars can go for the “fun stuff.” For many, there is no room for “fun stuff” in their budgets at all.

Rather than dwell on inflation, think of the luxuries you may enjoy.

Comments

[Amy Sieve]

Respectfully, Doug, I disagree with you about books and newspapers.

I happily support our little Northfield bookstore, Content, every chance I get. I like bookstores. I like libraries, too, but bookstores need the support from those who can afford to purchase from them.

Further, I subscribe to the 7-day-a -week Star Tribune for my household, my son's household, my daughter's household, and three copies (five days a week) for the school where I work.

Additionally, I subscribe to the Sunday NYTimes.

All paper copies. I doubt I am the cause of de-forestation.

I hope we can renew and reinvigorate door-to-door newspaper delivery as well as make our local bookstores stronger and more integral in our communities!