It’s interesting to observe that so many people in society today find it saavy to save money, conserve and make due with less. This is a mindset that I grew up around but I didn’t appreciate it very much until recently. My mother is the master of conservation but I never considered her “green” or “cool” because she resued almost everything and could find a better price almost all the time. Frankly, I was often embarassed because I felt cheap. Well, today I’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to my Mom for her committment to our earth and our family budget, her smart and saavy nature and endless pursuit to save or reuse the most common of things.

Since the burst of the real estate bubble, breakbown of the national economy and seemingly ever increasing debt our nation bears – I find more and more examples of how people are creating a “new normal” for their way of life. Let’s consider grocery shopping for example….did you ever think coupons would be “cool” and we now have a trend such as “Groupon.com” that has made saving a daily part of our lives. I’m not a coupon clipper but I truly appreciate those who do and can save money doing so. What I find fascinating is that saving has become more attractive and accepted in most social circles.

In an article entitled “Adjusting to the ‘New Normal’ from www.Stores.org (February 2011) they did study of consumer speading to find out what consomers consider “untouchable” (won’t live without) and “expendable” (don’t need). On the top of the “untouchable” list was internet and cell phone service and at the top of the “expendable” list was luxury items such as expensive handbags and jewelry. Seems consumers have adopted a way of more responsible spending that fits into their new budget, lifestyle and value system.

This blog is dedicated to ways in which we are adapting to the “new normal” way of life. I would love your input, thoughts and ideas since the more we share the more we learn and grow.

Here’s to the “new normal”!!