10 THANKSGIVING MYTHS
After traveling many miles to be with friends and family, we will fondly recall those sturdy Pilgrims who survived the tough 1620 winter. Afterwards, and with the help of some really nice Native Americans, they grabbed a couple of turkeys, baked some pies and with God on their side, they had a big ol’ BBQ. It was a celebration of good food and good neighbors. It warms our parochial cultural hearts to know we are continuing that Thanksgiving tradition, right?
Wrong!
Just about everything about Thanksgiving is wrong except the meaning we now bestow upon it. With full disclosure in mind and with honesty at the forefront, here are 10 Thanksgiving Myths Debunked
#1 THE HISTORY IS ALL WRONG
There are many factions, most notably from the Christian right, who want to imbue Thanksgiving with religious meaning. The certitude of heaven bestowing bounty upon Godly souls in a time of struggle has resonance. Having it stretch back to the early 1600s is a legacy. To these folks, it is a sign of religious and cultural continuity. Nothing wrong with that idea, but it simply isn’t the case. Native Americans would never have been invited if the first Thanksgiving were a religious celebration. The Puritans were pretty particular who could come to their religious ceremonies, and God-less heathens were most assuredly excluded. The second error in this continuity theory, is the event took place sporadically until the 1860s when Abe Lincoln, looking for a symbol to unite the divided nation during the Civil War, created the national holiday.
#2 THE HISTORY IS ALL WRONG, pt 2
The didn’t call themselves Pilgrims, they called themselves Saints. They didn’t dress in black or wear tall hats with buckles on them, despite what the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority may believe. All of that came later as revisionists projected their ideals onto those early settlers. Oh yeah, those Pilgrims were a randy lot. They weren’t as pious as some would have you believe. They were begetting and forgetting with the worst of us.
#3 THE HISTORY IS ALL WRONG, pt 3 
That story about those religious freedom seekers landing on a rock in Plimouth is more hooey. The legend rests entirely on the less than rock steady testimony of one Thomas Faunce, a ninety-five year old man. Thomas told the story more than a 100 years after the Mayflower landed, which would have made him negative 5 years old, hardly a reliable source. The ‘rock’ story took hold after World War II. It was published, it tapped into the cultural zeitgeist and became lore. Besides Plymouth needed some touristo bucks so the quickly asserted its veracity.
Oh yeah, the story that the Mayflower was way off course is also wrong. They wanted to end up in the New York area, which was part of Virginia way back when. They missed, but not as much as most people think. And let’s give them a break GPS systems weren’t in place back then and while we’re being honest, most Americans are so geographically challenged, they couldn’t find Plymouth rock on a map today.
#4 EVEN THEN, IT WASN’T THE FIRST
Depending on who you ask or which axe they are grinding, the first thanksgiving to be celebrated in the New World wasn’t on Plimouth Plantation. Some historians think there was a celebration earlier at the nearby James River. There is a town in Texas which says it had the first Thanksgiving some 23 years earlier, and let’s not forget Virginia. Having a Thanksgiving in the post harvest time was a European tradition. So there was probably one before the 1621 version.
Oh yeah, let’s not forget to mention that many Algonquin tribes had been celebrating a similar feast for oh, about 2,000 years.
#5 THE DAY ITSELF
The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 and was a three day affair with games, shooting matches, and other such festive events. It didn’t necessarily happen in November, more like it was sometime between September or early November. As stated earlier, Lincoln made it part of the established culture back in the 1860s. It wasn’t until President Franklin Roosevelt made it the last Thursday in November did it become officially then. This date was pushed for a variety of reasons, one being commercial retail interests who wanted an official kickoff for the Christmas season.
#6 THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL
Despite what some folks may believe, football and Thanksgiving is a relatively recent add-on. It was marketing trick started in 1934 when the owner of the Portsmouth (OH) Spartans moved to Detroit. They renamed themselves, the Lions. But they still needed a gimmick to bring people to the game. They scheduled a game with the world champions Chicago Bears, got it broadcast and had a hit on their hands. Obviously all that tryptophan had made folks susceptible to listening/watching sports.
On a side note, just the other day, the Pontiac Silver Dome, Detroit’s sporting arena, built for $57 million was sold for just over $500,000 at auction. No amount of football or turkey can camouflage the truth, Detroit needs a serious make over.
#7 BLACK FRIDAY IS THE BIGGEST SHOPPING DAY OF THE EAR
Nope. It’s a big one, but usually the biggest shopping day of the year is one of several days on the run up to Christmas. The busiest shopping day falls between the 19th and the 23rd. The date will vary from year to year depending on when Christmas falls, weather and other factors. Black Friday usually runs as the fifth busiest day. Cyber Monday is busy, but there are plenty of busy days that top Cyber Monday in terms of internet purchases.
#8 RETAIL MYTH MAKING
Black Friday & Cyber Monday are not real. They are constructs by the retail industry to suck as much money out of your bank account as possible. Of course, complicit with this deceit is the media which is always looking for something to put on the air. One little tidbit to remember, during the Franklin Roosevelt administration Thanksgiving was moved up a week to add another 7 days of Christmas shopping. The idea was to spur consumer spending and boost the economy. It was moved back after a couple of years. Now that’s something to give Thanks for, one fewer week of Christmas shopping season.
BTW: It is called Black Friday, as in the profit black versus in the red loss.
#9 THE MENU
What was served was deer, shrimp, wild fowl, oysters, cod, bass, and other seasonal vegetables. Corn was usually ground for later use in the winter, so no corn on the cob.
What wasn’t served was turkey. Pumpkin pie and cranberries require flour and sugar. Both in short supply to the early Colonists. So that wasn’t served either. Lobsters which were plentiful were never even considered. The Pilgrims thought these were a variety of sea borne insect and not suitable for eating. Not having any of those tasteful restaurant lobster bibs is the real reason the edible crustacean was bypassed.
#10 MISNOMERS
Cranberry sauce isn’t a sauce. If it were a true sauce it would be runny and we’d be slathering all over something. It is basically a side dish. While we’re busting myths, cranberries are not a cure for urinary tract infections. The little red berry may help prevent them, but cure? Sorry Charlie.
Back to the meal, stuffing is not necessarily stuffed inside the big bird. For health reasons, many people cook it outside of the bird. Then again, it is also called dressing, but it isn’t that either.
So when you go to your mom’s for Thanksgiving. Be sure to drive there on the parkway, park in the driveway, and remember it’s not sauce and it’s not dressing. They are misnomers.
BONUS – TRYPTOPHAN
Turkey is not laden with tryptophan. The ratio of this chemical to protein is nearly non-existent. Food that has a more pronounced ratio are eggs, cheddar cheese, sesame seeds, chicken, egg whites, cod and as everyone knows whose had it, caribou.
The reason we get so lethargic after the T-day meal, is not what was eaten, but how much as well as imbibing in a few too many.
So this Thanksgiving as you sit down to eat your turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing, regale your relatives and friends with these debunked myths. Then when they say how “interesting” that all was, you’ll know, that is just another myth being spread.
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Tags: football, myths, Pilgrims, Thanksgiving, turkey
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILL ROGERS
Happy Birthday, Will Rogers, you would have been 130 years old today, November 4.
In 1879 in a place called Dog Iron Ranch near Oologah OK, Will Rogers has his first birthday. His month was part Cherokee and his father was a respected war veteran, judge and rancher. Will took his education and then bummed around in South America and Australia before he landed in New York City, where he tried to break into show business. During one performance an animal broke free and was climbing into the crowd when Will roped it and saved the day. The ensuing publicity launched his career.
From the vaudeville stage, he honed down his act. Will Rogers became as American as apple. He was the laconic cow poke speaking plainly, but eloquently on topics of the day. He could reduce complex issues into a simple sentence and by so doing make fun of it. It was something the least educated person could understand and the highly educated person would enjoy. It was basic. It was sublime.
During the course of his career Will Rogers’ popularity as the American philosopher cum humorist was evidenced by 71 roles in movies, 4000 syndicated columns and hundreds of radio shows. His death in an airplane crash in 1935 threw the nation into collective mourning.
Now 70 years after his death, Will Rogers’ observations have a veracity and gentleness that evoke a mythic image. It is the image of what America would like to believe it is – simple, plain speaking, truth seeking, good natured while poking a not too unsharp elbow in someone’s pompous ribs.
On this 130th birthday of Will Rogers, American, here are ten great quotes from the Bard from Oklahoma.
We will never have true civil
ization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.
What the country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds.
About all I can say for the United States Senate is that it opens with a prayer and closes with an investigation.
Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don’t have for something they don’t need.
Worrying is like paying on a debt that may never come due.
The worst thing that happens to you may be the best thing for you if you don’t let it get the best of you.
There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.
The best way out of a difficulty is through it.
The difference between a Republican and a Democrat is the Democra
t is a cannibal they have to live off each other, while the Republicans, why, they live off the Democrats.
People are getting smarter nowadays; they are letting lawyers, instead of their conscience, be their guide.
Written in the 20s and 30s, these epigrams still resonate in today’s climate. America hasn’t changed all that much despite all the fancy bells and whistles. Politicians still lack common sense, popular culture is still an odd thing to behold and Will Rogers’ observations still hit dead center, usually bouncing off the funny bone for good measure.
The Frugal Yankee has gathered more of Rogers quotes. Just head over to FRUGALYANKEE.COM to read them. While you’re doing that, imagine if Keith Olberman or Glenn Beck or some other ratings hungry cable “news” personality had the intelligence or humanity of Will Rogers. It sure would make life a bit better, but as he would probably have said about these alleged pundits: “Once ignorance gets started, it knows no bounds.”
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From opinions to savvy tips, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com. While you’re there, sign up for the Frugal Yankee Newsletter - tips, factoids, jokes and more.
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Tags: birthday, Humor, Will Rogers
FRUGAL TAILGATING
Once a little discussed ritual, tailgating has become mainstream and in this economy, frugal tailgating
is essential. Web sites, sports networks, books and more all tout this fun pre-game event. It is a wonderful cross between a picnic and a BBQ only it usually takes place in a paved parking lot.
As so often happens, keeping up with the Jones’ has impacted tailgating. Bigger, better, more and more expensive has replaced the former simple traditional tailgating fare. There are fancy decorations even fancier equipment. Some tailgate hosts succumb to the pressure and buy expensive foods. Some have even have the event catered,
No need.
Great tailgating doesn’t mean leaving frugality and quality back at the home stead. A little planning is all one needs to score with food and fans. Here are six simple steps to score.
Step 1: MAKE A GAME PLAN
Frugal people understand planning is the key. Tailgating is no different. So step back, take some notes, mull it over and come up ideas that work for you. Then assign tasks. Everyone involved should bring a dish, beverages or other task. Cost is split, but more importantly everyone participates, everyone enjoys. A master checklist is always a good idea and keeps things on track.
Step 2: SPECIAL TEAMS
Creating the menu is part of the Game Plan, but it is also a step unto itself. Create a theme, make it special. Perhaps design a game specific menu. One idea is base the menu on team locations. Kansas City barbecue or Philadelphia cheese steaks would be two examples. Another idea is to present a new BBQ idea. If hunting or hunters are in your group, fresh deer or moose would impress. Make the day memorable so matter what the score is in the game, the Special Teams scored.
Step 3: BULK UP
Many ingredien
ts on the menu can be found at warehouse clubs or bought in bulk. Chips, soda, non-perishables, all can be purchased for less if shopped in advance and with a budget in mind. The same goes for meats. This is where planning really comes into play. If planned with time, getting deals at supermarkets or butcher’s markets and even warehouse stores can save substantial amounts of our favorite green stuff.
Step 4: KEEP YOUR COOL
Assuming all the pieces are meshing, game day will soon arrive. Now it is time to pack. Bring two coolers. One filled with drinks (water, beer and juice) th
e other is ice-filled for the perishables. TIP: don’t put the coolers inside trunks. Trunks can get awfully hot, some as high as 150º. That temperature that can ruin food. Use a passenger seat inside the car instead. Put non-perishables in the trunk.
Step 5: BAKE, DON’T BUY
With the menu planned and tasks assigned, this should give the host time to bake desserts. Buying goodies at stores is always more costly, but baking brownies or cupcakes and even cookies is an inexpensive way to top off a great meal. One tip you’ll hear many times, use food coloring to tint frosting in your team’s colors. It’ll keep you in the spirit and satisfy that sweet tooth.
Step 6: DISH THE DECORATIONS
Team themed decorations are necessary. They are usually over priced and mostly hit the recycle or trash bin after the event. I
nstead stock up party basics like table coverings, napkins, plates and cups in solid colors at the dollar store or one of those party stores. A truly crafty host will be searching for these items all year long. Then they’ll catch a sale and really score.
With just a few easy steps and a little forethought, tailgating can be fun and frugal.
From traditional tips to savvy perspectives, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Practical advice, recipes frugal factoids, interviews, podcasts and more, if it is about enjoying life and spending less, the Frugal Yankee is there. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com or follow the Frugal Yankee on Twitter.
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Tags: Tailgating
One would expect that someone savvy enough to take advantage of cable TV’s voracious appetite for entertainment/news would understand law suits on satire are just not going to work.
The savvy person in question is Fox TV’s Glenn Beck. There is no doubt Mr. Beck has plugged into a segment of the US population that loves jingoistic rants, emotional responses and attacking questions. Its easy to see the allure. There is doubt he actually believes the stuff he spouts. In all likelihood it is a vaudevillian performance simply designed to rake in tons of money, $23 million at last count. Perhaps that’s cynical, but no truly intelligent, sentient human being would subscribe to his “news” or opinions or even his antics and not see the theater in it.
That is why it is astonishing that Glenn Beck has unleashed his lawyers on Isaac Eiland-Hall. Mr. Eiland-Hall believes Mr Beck is fair game for satire and parody. As such he has created a web site www.glennbeckrapedandmurderedayounggirl in1990.com. This site states at the very top it is a ‘parody’. There is a YouTube video embedded in the middle of the page where a young woman, attempting to sound stressed and crying exhorting watchers not to stop the ridicule because if they did, a baby ghost would be turned into a real human being. The last time this was investigated baby ghosts don’t become humans. In fact, the existence of baby ghosts is highly disputed.
Undeterred by these obvious attempts at humor, Mr. Beck’s lawyers brought a complaint against Mr Eiland-Hall to the World Intellectual Property Organization Arbitration and Mediation Center arguing the site should be shut down for trademark infringement. The complaint asserts there is an attempt “to mislead the public.” Really? It sounds more like they know the site is protected by the First Amendment and Beck would never stand a chance of stopping them. The idea is shut Mr. Eiland-Hall up.
The irony is deep.
Glenn Beck makes a living commentating about the world. In his exuberance to do so, he frequently crosses a boundary of journalistic discretion. This exuberance, as Mr. Beck would assert, is dismissed as necessary in the honest search for the ‘truth’. Yet, when Mr. Beck is the victim of a similar exuberance, he calls out the lawyers.
The conclusion, Mr. Beck is an emperor without any clothes.
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From opinions to savvy tips, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com. While you’re there, sign up for the Frugal Yankee Newsletter - tips, factoids, jokes and more.
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Tags: Glenn Beck lawsuit
THE ZOMBIES in ZOMBIELAND
Really, are the zombies in ZOMBIELAND metaphors?
Yes.
Stephen King said horror is around to ” to exorcise the emotions which society demands we keep closely in hand.” Getting scared in a controlled environment is an essential coping mechanism to “process” the stresses of civilization. Books have a certain length and they can be put down in a flash. Movies last roughly 90 minutes. That is a controlled environment. In each of the great stress periods in our recent history, horror has emerged as a popular form of entertainment. The 30s had huge economic & social upheavals. The popular horror movies were Dracula & Frankenstein. Each of those films addresses a fear – fear of foreigners, fear of science gone mad, fear of industrialization, fear of sexuality. In the 50s atomic annihilation and losing ones identity were the fears reflected in movies like THEM! and INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. And since 1968 with rapid technological advances and complete redefining of society, zombies and violent horror have gained ascendancy. The zombies in ZOMBIELAND are indeed metaphors 
for our world turned upside down.
Horror films explain the unexplainable. They give reality to a culture’s unspoken fears. Psychologists assert this process will, hopefully, allay those fears. Looking at older horror films, the locations were set in foreign countries, the monsters were not human and the difference between good & evil was distinct. Things changed in 1968, a watershed year for the American. There was Vietnam, civil rights, women’s rights, riots, assassinations and a changing culture. George Romero tapped into that zeitgeist and created the modern zombie film, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. The location was middle America, the monsters were neighbors and moral ambiguity was rampant. Since then zombie movies have further defined themselves by reflecting the fears of the modern world, especially since 9/11. ZOMBIELAND takes those fears, amplifies them and twists them for amusement.
The millennial world has food chain corrupted with mad cows & deadly e.coli outbreaks. AIDs, MSRA infections and super TB viruses attack indiscriminately and unchecked. Religious fanatics of all stripes are killing innocents. The environment is on the run from decades of abuse and the future of the Earth is uncertain. On personal a level, there is no job security. Many jobs are in maze like warrens o
f cubicles and anonymity. Families are no longer the traditional, and if the exist at all, they are “blended”. Strangers come to live with one another and call themselves a family.
It is in this world where zombies and now, ZOMBIELAND, have come to represent our fears. Unseen, microscopic diseases can change you. Eating food at a restaurant or from a supermarket can kill you. A bomb could blow up any time, anywhere, for reasons obscured by ignorance and hate. The water we drink, or the air we breath could contain deadly chemicals which will alter us. And anyone working in the next cubicle or sleeping in the room down the hall could suddenly ‘go postal’.
In the world of zombies, they could be anyone. Zombies are the ultimate terrorists. How they became zombies is one fear. What they do after they become zombies is another. Traditional bonds or allegiances are no longer valid. Usually there are more zombies than people like ourselves. The collective society has been upended. The majority has become the minority and the majority is literally out to suck your brains dry.
Horror film director Guillermo del Toro remarked, “Horror shows us the 
humanity that lies within, that ‘otherness’, and helps us make peace with the hidden monstrous side of ourselves.” We love zombie films like ZOMBIELAND, not only because they expresses our deepest fears in a millennial world of uncertainty, but deep down we know, that any given moment, we could become zombies – if we aren’t already.
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Garen is not only the Frugal Yankee, but he’s been in the dark for years. As a film exhibitor, programmer and reviewer, he has seen thousands of films. A regular on NE Cable News & NH Public Radio, he also produces Horror ‘Thon ‘09 a 12 hour vampire film festival showing this October 24. Besides film, he does have a passion for being a Frugal Yankee, but you knew that.
Filed under: Movies, entertainment | 2 Comments
In an era where Video o
n Demand (VOD), near simultaneous DVD releases and now downloads to smart phones, the question is, can megaplexes survive the iPhone?
There are nearly 600 films released in the US every year. Many end up in the megaplexes. Some end up in your local art house or museum theater, some end up a VOD and some even can be downloaded to your iPhone, so you can see them while ignoring fellow mass transit riders.
Early last summer, the indie market was abuzz when prophets of gloom predicted the end of the independent feature film. Several small or boutique distributors either went belly or were swallowed up by their much larger brethren. The options for filmmakers were getting smaller.
Over at the megaplex where Hollywood’s latest popcorn films or chick flicks vie for the dubious and very transitory distinction of being the “#1 Film in America”, there is also a sense of gloom. Yes, gross sales are up this year. Many exhibitors are thankful for the recession They are convinced hard times make movie going affordable. Obviously they don’t buy their own concessions. But the studios and the exhibitors of all walks are on the same page. The way out of gloom is to look to the future and the future is digital. Economic 
well being will be assured and in the 3D. Despite the future bravado, actual attendance is at best the same. Inflation is the difference.
This is a quick view of the landscape. Both megaplexes and independent theatres see trouble on the horizon. They see VOD and even new platforms like cellphones as threats. The question asked earlier was, “Can the megaplex survive the iPhone?” The answer is simple, yes.
In the past Hollywood has fought television, then cable television, then the VCR, and then the DVD. They will fight anything new. Hollywood has more conservative thinkers than the last Republican. There will be many voices in La-La Land bemoaning the end of exhibition or the end of indie films, but nothing could be further from the truth.
When VCRs came around, not only did Hollywood find a new economic model spewing cash, new fans emerged. When DVDs established themselves, Hollywood found an amazing source of revenue, nearly twice as much as domestic exhibition with n near the cost. It was found money. They went from gloom to laughing all the way to the bank.
Both factors will come into play with new technologies – new audiences will be found and new revenue streams will flow. The megaplex will survive as will the independent theater. Both just need to be smart about what they do. O
ne word of advice, embrace the new technologies. They are here to stay.
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Garen has been in the dark for years. As a film exhibitor, programmer and reviewer, he has seen thousands of films. Regularly on NE Cable News & NH Public Radio, he produces the Boston Science Fiction Film Festival. Besides film, he has a passion for being a Frugal Yankee.
Filed under: Commentary, Movies | Leave a Comment
Tags: Hollywood, iPhone, megaplex
Does the Republican Party have any grown-ups in it?
Apparently not.
Last night, like petulant martinets, the Republicans waved papers as President Obama exhorted them to be responsible to their jobs. The President asked them to put away their ideological differences and work for the betterment of the country and its people. The Republican response was political theater. They waved reports. Assuming the papers being waved was some sort of response to the health care issue, it really didn’t work. The Republicans looked like was a bunch of angry, middle aged white men who had forgotten the manners their mothers taught them. Imagine if this act of public rudeness was something a child did at the dinner table? What would be the appropriate response? Does the wood shed have any meaning this days?
It got even worse when one of their brethren, Rep Joe Wilson from South Carolina, yelled “You lie” at the President. Of course, he has apologized, but it is exactly this type of boorish behavior that demeans the debate, makes Republicans look like spoiled children and turns off too many citizens to the political process.
Watching the speech and seeing the cutaways to the stone faced, emotionless Republican
s, the main question was not the depth of their beliefs. It was how many of these guys are getting money from the Health Care Industry? How full will their campaign war chests be with health company money? How many of their former aides, now working in the hire for the industry, will get their ‘ear’? It is a question not of health, but wealth. To them, America’s working families struggling with making ends meet, are nothing more than faceless, lifeless drones. It is ironic that the political party proclaiming “American values” has devolved into a tantrum shouting, spoiled child.
How President Obama’s speech will play out with moving the health care reform forward will emerge over the days and weeks. One thing is for certain. Rep. Joe Wilson should be apologizing not only to President Obama, but to the American people as well. He probably won’t. He’ll probably be lionized by a small minority of conservatives who proclaim his boorish behavior as courage. Already some misguided members of this manner challenged alliance have contributed $11,000 to his re-election campaign.
On the other side of the coin, liberal groups have donated $75,000 to the “Rob Miller for Congress” campaign. Mr. Miller narrowly lost the last election to Mr. Wilson. One can only hope that the citizens of South Carolina are sufficiently embarrassed to send Mr. Wilson packing. Maybe that’s why Rep Wilson’s web site is currently down for “maintenance”. Maybe so many people are expressing their opinions of his bad behavior it has shut down his ISP? Maybe politicians will learn Americans want change and their obstinacy is a big turn-off? Maybe, but probably not.
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From opinions to savvy tips, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com. While you’re there, sign up for the Frugal Yankee Newsletter - tips, factoids, jokes and more.
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Filed under: Commentary, Politics, manners | 2 Comments
NURSE OF THE YEAR
Betty Lichenstein of Norwalk CT was honored by the Connecticut Nursing Associatio
n as the 2008 Nurse of the Year.
Statements like someone being honored for nurse of the year is usually good news. Nurses are under appreciated, work hard and really don’t get the respect they deserve. So in these days where there are so many distorted rantings about health care, the simplicity of an award for a hard working professional in the medical industry has a ‘good feel’ to it. Except there is a problem. Betty Lichtenstein honor as nurse of the year is bogus, despite a well attended dinner to honor her, including one of her employers.
According to news reports, the Connecticut Nursing Association doesn’t exist. The awards dinner held at a restaurant in Norwalk, CT was paid for by Ms Lichtenstein. Further investigation revealed her nursing certificate did not exist. Apparently she had used the ‘award’ and the dinner to further promote her career.
At first blush, a creative and enterprising woman doing her darnedest to get a good paying job is creative and enterprising. Nothing wrong with that, but upon reflection the impact of an uneducated and unregistered nurse administering drugs and allegedly helping patients sinks in. This is dangerous.
In popular culture there is a romantic admiration for grifters and con men. The popularity of movies like THE STING, OCEAN’S 11 and others make this shady business exciting, romantic even.
They are outlaws and for those of us who stay the course, drifting outside the lines to a world is an exciting fantasy. We like the excitement and we rationalize, no one is really getting hurt.
In Ms Lichtenstein, this fantasy gets even darker. Not only was she attempting to secure herself a better paying gig, she was also busted for attempting to buy oxycodone with a false prescription. So what at first seemed to be a gutsy attempt for a good job is really just another not so run of the mill drug scam. Romantic notions aside, this is scary and further proof that the medical industry is in need of reform. One final word, it is truly sad that all the good nurses are besmirched by one drug addicted scamming human being. That’s sad.
Oh, Ms Lichtenstein is due in Norwalk, CT court today, August 26.
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From opinions to savvy tips, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com. While you’re there, sign up for the Frugal Yankee Newsletter - tips, factoids, jokes and more.
Follow the FRUGAL YANKEE is on Twitter .
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Tags: health care, Nurse, scam
SAVING ON SCHOOL SPORTS
A strong case can be argued that like academics, sports and arts are important parts of a child’s education. 
Unfortunately, that view is not held by many school systems.
Over the years, as school budgets have been squeezed, once essential educational elements have been repurposed as fee based services. Parents and students now pay fees and additional costs for arts and sports. And these activities are necessary pieces colleges want to see in students. Families are stuck. To go to college, students need to participate. To participate they have to pay. With these costs going up, the Frugal Yankee knows there are some ways to keep them down.
Here are a five simple steps to spend less.
Step 1: NARROW THE FIELD
As children enter High School, and even Middle School, there is excitement. They are curious and engaged, this is very natural. As such, everything seems possible. Before jumping into the fire, sit them down. List all the activities on the “to do” list. Then map out a time line for fall winer and spring. See if there are any conflicts. If there are, let the student decide which ones should be dropped. If there are no conflicts, make sure they understand the time commitment and how it may impact other areas, like seeing friends or other social events.
Step 2: JUST THE FACTS, MA’AM
Get info from the coach, athletic director, drama coach, music teacher, or even guidance counselor. Many of these extracurricular activities will have an introductory pamphlet. This should explain costs, equipment needed, time commitment and any other factors used in making a savvy decision.
TIP: Step 2 may precede Step 1, but together
they will shape the basic activity structure for the term.
Step 3: IT’S ABOUT THE BENJAMINS
These days activities cost. Some schools may cap fees based on family involvement, some may not. Delve into what your particular school offers, or doesn’t. Be sure to ask about waivers, support money, equipment deals and what qualifications are required to take advantage of these. If a problem still remains, talk to the coach or department head. There may be something else available to assist.
TIP: If a family qualifies for free or reduced lunch,
chances are athletic/entry fees will be waived.
Step 4: GEAR UP
Schools may or may not supply the most basic of equipment, but count on having to finding shoes, padding, helmets, sheet music and other necessary elements.
Here are a few tips to save money on these.
Snooze you lose. Don’t wait. Get a list of what’s needed.
See what’s usable from last year. Check it off the list
Be smart. Don’t use equipment not suited for the activity.
Be timely. Don’t wait until the last second to secure equipment.
Check resellers, i.e. Craigslist, Ebay, used stores, etc.
• Check with other parents for their used equipment or tips.
• Find out if the PTA or someone has organized equipments swaps.
• Get recommendations for good stores or local business discounts.
Step 5: HAVE FUN
Yeah these extracurricular activities will look good on the college bound resumé, and in all likelihood, these activities will make the student a better person, but they are still kids and having fun is an important part of growing up. Keep it in perspective.
Frugal Yankees everywhere know the key to success is stepping back and preparing. This is no exception.
If you got some money saving ideas, please share them.
$ $ $ $ $
From opinions to savvy tips, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com.
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TRUTH ABOUT BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY
The truth is Black Friday, and to a lesser extent Cyber Monday, were created by the retail industry to sell more products. Giving it a name, giving it a specific time frame with a countdown imbues it with a sense of urgency that really doesn’t exist. The deals being are less real and more illusional than the advertising and the media would admit.
Adding to the hype is a less than discriminating, sometimes journalistically concerned media. Anyone who has inside knowledge of local TV broadcast newsrooms knows the decisions being made are based on several factors – ratings, advertisers and production costs. Having lines of people waiting in the cold and dark makes for an easy, inexpensive segment for morning news shows. If the segment promotes products or stores of advertisers, so much the better.
The first truth is simple. Black Friday a lot of strutting and fretting over crass commercialism. In the Frugal Yankee way of thinking, it isn’t worth the time, the hype or the money.
Black Friday is touted as the biggest shopping day of the year. Nope. It’s big, but the biggest shopping day of the year is one several days on the run up to Christmas. Depending on when Christmas falls, what kind of weather is prevailing and various other factors, the busiest shopping day will fall somewhere between the 19th and the 23rd of December. Black Friday usually runs as the fourth or fifth busiest day. Cyber Monday is busy, but there are plenty of busy days that top Cyber Monday in terms of purchases.
A few years back when getting on line was a novelty, most folks had to use their office computer to do web searches and thus purchase goods. In the early days, Cyber Monday was an important retail day. In 2009 with computer and internet penetration approaching 90%, internet shopping on one day is simply not the case. These days it is an excuse to have ’sales’ and to promote on-line sales.
The second truth is Cyber Monday was an Etail industry invention. These days it is more like Arbor Day, a nice name name with little significance, but don’t tell that to the morning TV news shows. They will all have at least one or two articles on Cyber Monday for the same reasons as they will for Black Friday. It is easy, cheap and satisfies the people who pay the bills – the advertisers.
OK, so Black Friday and Cyber Monday are exposed as emperors with new clothes on. Are there any deals out there to be had?
The third and final truth is, yes, but be a Frugal Yankee doesn’t act like a Pavlovian dog. The Frugal Yankee understands the landscape, prepares a course of action and is a savvy shopper. With that in mind, here are a few tips.
PREVIEW THE ADS
Study the ads. Traditionally there are a ton of advertisements in Thanksgiving Day newspapers. See what the big deals are. The outstanding bargains are called “door-busters”. They are designed to draw lots of crowds and when opening time comes, the doors get busted open.
For most stores, sales can be previewed a few days earlier online. Two sites, both claiming to be the official Black Friday web site, give sneak peeks into what is on sale. They are….
BFADS.NET – a site geared towards Black Friday & national stores. It is based in California. The site does not say who they really are but does offer a fairly wide spectrum of national chain sales.
BLACK FRIDAY.GOTTADEAL.com – is an offshoot of gottadeal.com, an Limited Liability Corporation which in turn is an off shoot of Olsonnet.com which is owned by Brad Olson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Like bfads.net, it specializes in national sales and acts as a compilation site.
Both sites are decent starting points.
ITS ALL ABOUT TIMING
Door-buster deals are limited. Each store may have as few 3 items they’re advertising. They may have many more. Most likely they aren’t saying. These are on sale to draw as many people into the store as possible, and once there get them to buy other things as well. Chances of getting one of the door buster deals will be dependent how many are in stock, when the store opens, how long the lines are, etc.
First tactic would be to try the store’s website. The item(s) may be available online at the door buster price or maybe just a little more.
If not, waiting for a store to open is the next option. Here are a few opening times for selected national stores.
Toys-R-Us – midnight
Old Navy – 3am,
Sears and Kohl’s – 4am
Wal-mart – open 24 hours, sale items available at 5am.
If there are a variety of sales piquing interest at various locations, send family members or friends to different stores if opening times conflict.
COUPONS REDEEMED
Before going on a Black Friday expedition, be sure you have a list in hand. And before heading out the door, take a few minutes and scour the internet for manufacturer’s coupons and even store coupons. There may even be rebates. Know this before you begin.
BUYERS REMORSE
Always, confirm the item on sale is the one desired. Some door-busters items are stripped down. Check respected evaluation websites, like Consumer Reports, Steves-Digicams.com (for cameras), Ecoustics.com (TV/hi-fi equipment), PCMagazine.com (computers), best/worst toy lists, etc. to understand each product’s strengths and weaknesses.
Customer reviews by real owners of the products can be useful. Check Epinions.com, and read the user comments posted after product descriptions at Amazon.com. However, be warned. Customer reviews are sometimes written by moles for the companies in question and sometimes the people reviewing the product have a hidden agenda.
PRICE CHECK
The price makes the deal. Use pricing tools, such as the Price Checker at ConsumerWorld.org (price comparer), DealAlerter.com (price drop notification) and PriceHistories.com (price history).
Regarding online shopping, don’t just look at the sale price, include shipping, handling and taxes. Some sellers jack these prices up to compensate for the sale price. Be sure to ask about their return policy. This could be a real sticking point.
One last word of caution, a seller’s reputation is vital for a smooth transaction. Use Shopzilla.com or ResellerRatings.com to verify them as good dealers.
CREDIT CARDS: The Good & The Bad
Using credit cards does have benefits with Black Friday & Cyber Monday shopping. Here are a few:
• Service contracts maybe extended.
• Some offer a return protection guarantee
• Some offer sale price guarantee
Check with each card for specifics.
Using credit cards and then not being able to pay them off in a timely manner will erode any many saved. Be sure the deal gotten doesn’t end up being paid off at 29% interest,over 9 months.
THERE ARE DEALS TO BE HAD
Our own Frugal Yankee extraordinaire, Louise, scoured some recent sites and found the following deals
SOME GOOD DEALS
Samsung 40″ 1080p HDTV for $599 (Best Buy and Sears)
$10 off $25 purchase coupon (Macy’s)
32″ Westinghouse HDTV $246
Small kitchen appliances $3 (Target)
Presto griddle $9.99
Large B&D toaster oven $29.99 after rebate (Kohl’s)
Magellan Roadmate 1440 GPS $69.99 (rumored at OfficeMax)
Adult jeans $15 (Old Navy)
100 Christmas lights for 99¢ (Home Depot)
150 toys 50% off (Toys-R-Us)
Norelco cordless razor for $27.99
Toys 50% off (Walgreens).
AVOID!!! Underpowered laptops ($299) are back this year.
The Frugal Yankee does not endorse Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It can be an arduous adventure that saves little. However, to get the most of of these events, be prepared, be smart and you’ll fare better than most.
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From opinions to savvy tips, the Frugal Yankee knows how to enjoy life and spend less. Find out more by going to FrugalYankee.com. While you’re there, sign up for the Frugal Yankee Newsletter - tips, factoids, jokes and more.
Follow the FRUGAL YANKEE is on Twitter .
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Tags: Black Friday, Christmas, Cyber Monday