Money Money Money

Today I found this article in USA Today, and I was really surprised and impressed by it--and found it to be quite true myself!
Ever since I found sale racks and realized you could get the same thing for less money, I have been wondering why people pay full price. Some people I know simply like the experience better, and are willing to pay for it. They maybe won't go to a JCPenny or a Marshalls for their shopping, but I can't imagine myself simply shelling out twice or three times as much money for something at Macy's when I can get it for less!
The coupon thing has taken over since the recession hit a couple of years ago, and I'm not surprised that people are taking a deeper look into their spending. The article also mentioned the aging baby-boomers who experienced the depression, and are still thrifty because of it. I think we might be headed in the same direction! I know that my attention to a dollar here or a dollar there has increased, and that $5 can go a long way if you spend it right.
If you save $1 on ten different occasions, that's $10 that you've saved and can buy you something else, or stay in your savings for something in the future. It isn't always easy, but I think as a nation we are finding out how to use our money better.

I often find myself wondering what this means for the economy. Although it can seem backwards to the everyday consumer, spending is good for the overall economy. The more you spend, the more sales companies have, and the more they can spend getting products back to you, or more importantly giving back to the community. If Target, for example, has some sort of community outreach program that provides economic assistance to a school or community, where do you think that money comes from? From the money you just spent on their groceries or swimsuits or whatever. It comes from you!
I wonder whether businesses, and therefore the economy in general, can simply readjust and reevaluate, find a new way to make things happen, or if a lot of good, but not necessarily inexpensive to consume, businesses will simply fail. In Minneapolis, Burch Pharmacy is closing after more than half a century of good, local service and delightful neighborhood charm. Out it goes!

Will we ever figure it out?