Andy Young: Selflessly (and inexpensively) doing my part

By Andy Young

According to the most recent data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, America’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 0.3 percent in September. A recent Harris Poll found 75 percent of those surveyed reported their monthly expenses had risen by $100 or more, which confirmed the conclusions of the Yale Budget Lab’s finding that current economic policies will increase the average household’s cost of living by approximately $2,300 (about $191 per month) annually.

Economists point to a variety of reasons for rises in the inflation rate which include (but aren’t limited to):

1) increased production costs

2) consumer demand for certain products overtaking available supply

3) natural disasters

4) increased government spending; and

5) increased consumer spending

Most Americans complain endlessly about inflation but do nothing to help curb it. Not me, though. I don’t just impotently wring my hands about knotty problems – I act decisively. And after perusing the list of factors contributing to inflation, I concluded there wasn’t anything I could do about the first four. But the fifth one? That was right up my alley.

The day after Thanksgiving, aka “Black Friday,” has long been America’s biggest single shopping day. It seemed obvious to me what responsible citizens should have been doing to try to fight inflation that day, so after taking several deep breaths I did just that.

I stayed home. I didn’t buy a new car, secure a spot on a cruise ship, purchase any airline tickets, or reserve any hotel rooms. I also passed on procuring lottery tickets, tobacco products, alcohol, or any legal (or illegal) pharmaceuticals.

I selflessly avoided purchasing curtains; sheets; mattresses; pillows; pillowcases; blenders; ironing boards; furniture; power tools; garage door openers; flatware; pots; pans; mixing bowls; sifters; microwave ovens; toasters; juicers; air fryers; pizza stones; or coffee makers. Ditto tickets to hockey; basketball; football or baseball games; golf clubs; fancy watches; or exercise equipment. I steered clear of technology purveyors, buying not a single laptop computer; desktop computer; monitor; gaming system; earbuds; keyboard; iPad; iPhone; mouse; or video game.

Though sorely tempted, I resisted the urge to procure further additions to my impressive wardrobe. That meant no new pants; shirts; sneakers; work boots; sandals; bedroom slippers; platform shoes; boxers; briefs; jackets; ties; hoodies; wristbands; jewelry; personal grooming products; or formal wear, no matter how enticing the deals on them were.

Even though I desperately wanted to, I didn’t purchase a single houseplant; book; record; CD; DVD; magazine subscription; or movie ticket on Nov. 28.

There were some unexpected benefits connected to my selfless acts of commercial abstinence. Thanks to my minimalistic attitude regarding consumption, I didn’t have to rent a storage facility for all the possessions that would have been displaced had I, unlike other, less patriotic Americans, contributed to rising inflation by buying all those things I wanted for myself, my family, or certain special friends.

Apparently, there’s now something called “Cyber Monday” but I stayed completely out of Cyberspace that day, or at least out of the portion populated by cybermerchants; cyberretailers; cybervendors; and similar cybercapitalists. Instead, the Cyberbusiness I did was “unsubscribe” to the flood of emails I’ve been getting from, among others, Amazon; Home Depot; Apple; Ocean State Job Lot; Staples; Tripadvisor; and “Shop Your Way,” none of which I remember actually signing up to receive email from in the first place.

Some hold the current president responsible for America’s ongoing battle with inflation; others fault the fiscal policies of his predecessor. I honestly don’t know who (or what) exactly is to blame for America’s increasing cost(s) of living.

But I’m quite sure it’s not me. <