A Free Gift to Send to the Troops Overseas

At this time of the year, usually people are in a shopping frenzy. But due to layoffs and lack of jobs this holiday season, many U.S. citizens are using this as a time to give more thoughtful, less expensive gifts this year. So why not take the time to give a free gift and thank someone for their service to the United States?

When my aunts were stationed overseas, they truly appreciated the care packages that we sent them. However, there are so many soldiers who deserve an "appreciation package" that will never receive on this holiday.

Xerox is sponsoring a program that sends thank you cards to troops overseas. It is completely free to the user, and all you have to do is choose a card and a message. It will be randomly sent to someone. Use this five minutes out of your day to send this free gift. I'm sure that someone would appreciate it.

Go to Let's Say Thanks! to send your thank you card. I already did.

-Erica

Where's My Monopoly Money?!

When I was in Argentina, I felt as though the Argentine pesos were "monopoly money" because the vivid colors of the money did not seem real to me. Well thanks to the U.S. economy, there are talks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin of producing their own money, and use this money to help support local businesses instead of those like Wal-Mart and Home Depot. This idea is COMPLETELY LEGAL, which surprised me. As long as the money does not resemble the U.S. dollar it's fine. But what exactly is the incentive for using this money? Apparently, it will have 10% more use than the regular dollar, so instead of 100 U.S. dollars, their money would be 110 *Milwaukee-ian* (made the name up) dollars, making that a great exchange rate.

I think it is a fabulous idea. It reminds me of the system that UGA uses: Bulldog Bucks is a card system that allows students to load U.S. dollars onto the card to use it at local eateries and businesses and around campus at the vending and laundry machines. The only difference is that this will actually be printed money.

For more information, visit this link!

I didn't want to believe it...

When I returned from Argentina, my friends and family kept telling me that we were in a recession. Although I thought that the economy was not as good before I left, I didn't think that a recession could only occur in three months. Well turns out, as of Monday, it was officially declared by the National Bureau of Economic Research that we have been in a recession for a year. Watch the video below.




You can also follow this link for more information.
When did you think that the U.S. was in a recession? Did you feel the effects of it as a college student?