COLUMN | Graduating into a tough economy
Sometimes, no matter how prepared I think I am for something - I'm not.
For instance, I have known for years I will be graduating from college. For months I've known that feat will be accomplished in May.
But every once and a while, I feel like I've run into a brick wall with the word "reality" tagged on it in bright red letters.
No matter how ready I think I am, it's still an unknown realm I am not entirely sure I am ready to embark on, even though having a real job with a real paycheck sounds amazing.
Perhaps part of the fear stems from ... the economy. I know this topic has been overplayed more than a one-hit wonder, but recently, it really hit me how bad things are.
Last weekend I went to the mall, not for anything in particular, but to peruse a little. Walking up to the giant glass doors at Macy's, nothing seemed different. The chrome handlebars glistened in the winter sunshine, and the sand-colored brick stood three stories above the concrete.
But walking inside those glass doors was an entirely different story.
The store was nearly empty. No one browsing racks, checking out the sales (which yelled discounts up to 95 percent for some items). The jewelry counters had empty rotating racks and picked over felt ring holders. Boxes held pieces in plastic bags, all on sale for 65 percent off.
There were leftovers from the Christmas season, which usually would have sold during the post-Christmas shopping rush. But not this year.
In my experience, and I have plenty of it when it comes to malls, by the end of January items from the spring lines are creeping into window displays and onto racks. However, it seemed like nothing had been ordered to take the place of the lucky outfits that did go under Christmas trees.
The inventory ordered to cover the holidays still clutters storage rooms or hangs on the racks, looking like a teenager stood up at prom. Looking so 2008.
I'm not sure how we got here. There are theories and ideas that make sense, and I'm sure each plays a role in the economic tailspin we have endured thus far.
But sometimes, it just comes into perspective: This is bad.
The good news is, every economy deals with ups and downs. This is the dark before the upswing takes us back toward the light of strip malls, department stores and neon numbers rung up on cash registers.
But what can we learn from this? Perhaps that credit is good, when used wisely? Buying things one cannot afford is always a poor decision? Savings is more important than ever? No one is immune?
I have never claimed to be fiscally savvy. However, this situation has prompted me to read up a little on financial issues, credit, savings and investing. I do not believe we are immune to recessions, and I hope that the next time the economy dips, I am prepared.
I hope you are, too.
voices@cm-life.com
