Gift-giving --my best friends' wedding shower

Gift-giving is an economic, symbolic, exchange and social expression. As we discussed and learned in class, gestation is when the giver is motivated by a certain event. Gestation can be seen in two different lights, there is either structural or emergent. Structural is when the culture has an effect on the gift-giving and that would be on a holiday such as Christmas. Emergent is seen as a personal exchange.  Over the last few weeks, I have really taken these different aspects of gift-giving into consideration when picking out the perfect Bridal Shower gift for my best friend, Fran.  I believe it is a combination of both structural and emergent. Our culture has made it a big ordeal to throw a shower for the bride-to-be, which I completely agree with. I am having an issue with the traditional things that are expected to be bought for this bridal shower. I do find it fun to partake in buying appliances and things of the such. I want to spend my money on the fun decorative items that I know Fran will like and get great use of. I love giving unique gifts and I feel that the culture's gift-giving expectations on bridal shower prevents me from doing so! 

The structural gift-giving is all about the culture's views and I do not find that unique in the least bit. Therefore, I am going to follow the emergent gift-giving and give on a more personal level. Because I am so close with the Fran I feel that I can do so; although, if I were not close with the bride-to-be I would refrain from buying a gift in this manner. I intend on buying a special picture frame and putting Fran's favorite picture of her and her fiance, Aaron in it. Fran and Aaron are moving down south and are planning to live in an apartment that is not furnished. With this said, I also plan on buying a few decorative items that I know Fran and Aaron will love to put in their first home and their homes to come.  The final thing that I want to do for Fran is not a traditional gift at all and that is why I am very hesitant in purchasing it. I know she has been incredibly busy and stressed with finishing up college and planning her wedding so I want to buy her a massage. I know she would really enjoy it and I thought it would be fun if it would be a two person massage so that we could enjoy that quality time before we graduate and move away for each other. I have yet to decide on if I will actually buy it or not but there is a good possibility that I will. 

On a different note, I have enjoyed taking the time out of my days to reflect on what is going on in our country today. I have benefited from taking this consumer behavior class because I am more aware of what is going on financially in our nation today. I have also found this very enlightening in that it provided me with the resources of how to find and how to reflect my thoughts on what is occurring in America today.

Consumer Spending Fell in April

New York Times-nytimes.com

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

According to the article, "The government said Monday that consumers cut spending 0.1 percent in April, half the 0.2 percent reduction that economists were expecting" (nytimes.com). It is apparent that consumers today are realizing more and more that it is a must that they reduce their spending in order to provide for themselves and their family in the future. In addition to the nation's spending decreasing, our nation's income has been in creasing. In fact Americans' income is the best it has been in over a year. Not only is America's income growing, but America's savings is as well. "The savings rate, which rose to 5.7 percent, was the highest since February 1995, and the level of savings — $620 billion — was the most on records dating back to January 1959" (nytimes.com). This recession has opened the eyes of our nation. Although this recession is seen as a bad thing, I believe it is almost a blessing in disguise. Consumers are aware they are spending way too much and are cutting back which is increasing their savings accounts. They are being more conservative with their money and buying what their families need rather than footing the bill for their wants. It might seem as if I am saying this because I am just a college student and it has not really affected me; however, that is not the case in the least bit! In fact, my hard working father was laid off from work about a month ago. This of course, has taken a toll on my family and our financial needs. Despite the fact that my father is currently unemployed, my family is doing okay. We as a family are strong believers and have faith in our Lord God. We believe He gives us trials and tribulations so that we can learn from them and we know He closes one door to open another. With this said, I believe our Lord is teaching America a lesson and it is up to us to listen and learn from this lesson so that we do not end up in this pecuniary situation in the future.

Consumers are spending, but on used goods, debt payments

By John Waggoner, USA TODAY

In this article, Waggoner expressed how consumers are currently dealing with the recession. It is apparent that people today are being more frugal with their hard earned money as they should be. Consumers would love to be able to stop buying and save our money; however, that is not feasible with our lifestyles today. People obviously have to continue to buy the necessities for ourselves and those people with families have to buy for their family's needs. This recession has had an impact on consumers they are realizing it is smarter to buy used rather than new in order to help their bank accounts. They are not only watching their spending, they are also repaying their debt. They are making it a point to get a handle on what they owe now rather than putting it off as future duties. According to Waggoner, "Money that might otherwise go to local restaurants or department stores is also being used to pay down debt. Consumer borrowing fell 2% in the first quarter, according to data released last week by the Federal Reserve. Resolving credit fell at a 6.5.% annual rate.  Repaying debt is a relatively simple way to increase disposable income and shore up finances. Overall, Waggoner's article provides a great deal of wisdom on how to get a handle on things during this recession and we can learn a lot from it. 

Sold! Bargain-hunters buying groceries at auction

By Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press Writer

In a recent article in USAToday.com, Rubinkam makes it clear that people are taking their bargain shopping to a whole different level. Shoppers are skipping the supermarket aisles for a far more cheaper method, auction circuiting.  The consumers do not mind if the items are past the sell-by date. According to the article, "Consumers seek relief from the recession and spiraling food prices, grocery auctions are gaining in popularity as an easy way to cut costs. The sales operate like regular auctions, but with bidders buying for dry goods and frozen foods instead of antiques and collectibles. Some auctioneers even accept food stamps." It is apparent that the auctioneers are taking advantage of this unique opportunity to rake in the money. The article provided different people who have held auctions and have had taken part in the bidding process. In particular, Kirk Williams from Pennsylvania had his first auction and was surprised at the turnout of 300 people. A lady who benefited from Williams auction was Cherish Francik and her statement was, "Most of my life, I've been a brand-name shopper. It was  a real quick change whose haul from the Williams auction included trail mix, honey-barbecue chicken nuggets and a spiral-cut ham. I guess it's sort of a thrill now to find something that tastes good and is the right price." Francik's short statement reminded me of the thrill I spoke about in one of my previous blogs. 

There is just something that draws you in about the thrill, the hunt of finding something for less. It is almost as if you have accomplished something that you were not sure that you could at the beginning of your shopping process. In reality, it is hard for someone to explain that feeling you get in words. I guess if you have yet to experienced it, then I challenge you to do so this week! 

Source Derogation

Source Derogation is a thought process that simply takes place in your mind. You put down the source being advertised. You do not give the product a chance; you do not believe in it at all. This term reminds me of the infomercial that I see daily, the "Bump It" Infomercial! If you have yet to see it (which does not seem possible) it is a commercial that does everything and more to make you believe that you need a small hair thing that is designed to give you the bump that everyone so desires now a days. By the end of the commercial they have the viewers thinking that they can no longer take a comb and tease your own hair to make the bump yourself. It is evident that throughout the commercial their goal is to make the viewers believe this homemade object is a necessity. I however, did not fall in to this trap of theirs...I instead have and continue to make fun of this infomercial every time I see it! It is clear evidence that people will go to any length to make money these days. 

The sleeper effect

The term we discussed a few weeks ago in class, the sleeper effect is incredibly true. The sleeper effect is when a person views a source and develops a dislike for the product; however, the message the advertisement is conveying still gets across to the person effectively. This term is the perfect example illustrating how an annoying commercial still gets its message delivered. It just goes to show that just because someone does not like something does not mean that they do not remember the message. In fact, the commercials that irritate me tend to stay on my mind the longest. For example, the Burger King Commercials with the guy dressed up in the king costume with the big ugly face mask annoys me so much! I will take a minute to show this strange looking king of burgers... 

The mask is not only weird, but it is freaky as well!l Every time the commercial comes on I want to turn the channel. However, I do not change the channel, rather I fantasize about a whopper for the rest of the day! Most of the time I do not run to Burger King; though, sometimes I will  give i and purchase one of those big juicy burgers! 

The thrill of the hunt!

I mentioned a few blogs ago how my best friend Holly and I took a trip to West Virginia to go shopping. I stated how my experience reminded me of a certain term we covered in class, impulsive buying. Holly and I's shopping experience at Gabriel Brothers (also known as Gabes) also reminded me of another thing we discussed in class. I never realized how much I enjoy the thrill of the hunt until that unique shopping experience. I have in the past gone to Gabes before to see if they had any good deals going on. However, that fateful Friday, I had a whole different experience with Gabes! From the moment we walked in to the minute we walked out of the store, I was on a hunt. I wanted to find the best deals no matter how long it took me. I got such a thrill from going around the store looking through each rack of clothes looking for things that looked cute or I thought I had to have. The best part of it all  was looking at the price tag and seeing $4.99 or $6.99! However, those small bargains added up rather quickly and I soon realized that once I got to the register. I convinced myself that I was still saving money because I would have spent so much more if we would have went to one of our favorite stores, Forever 21.  With that said, I did spend a lot, but I also got a lot too!