I haven't seen any of those e-mails, but I've heard the "buzz" they've instigated. Personally, I would be wary to purchase gift certificates or cards to businesses about which I was unsure of their stability. Worst case scenario: the business will go under and my loved one (or I) would be stuck with a useless certificate. I also don't think these e-mails are the sole culprits; many business reporters (both on television and in print) have made consumers leery of shopping - in general - this holiday season.

You're right. The media has not done much to help strengthen the economy. We don't need to "live in fear". We need to "live". We each know our budgets... take what you can afford and go Christmas shopping... and enjoy it. If you buy a gift card for someone for Christmas, that person is going to use that gift card immediately after Christmas to get the great sales. It won't be an issue. Go shopping and "we the people" will get our economy back on track.

Been there... done that... couldn't afford to buy the t-shirt after I maxed out my card. Believe me; I've learned my lesson!

Good point HYF!! Always a good idea to spend only what you have, and NEVER spend someone else's money. When we use credit cards we are basically taking out a loan. That is how we NEED to see it.

Okay, that said, I am going shopping! This time I need groceries! LOL!

Many of us Americans are a credulous lot. We are ready at a moments notice to buy a pig in a poke, or to believe everything we read on an email mainly because we know the source who forwarded it and trust them. Before we go off half cocked, we need, like you did, to do the reseach and see instead of continuing the spread of the false rumors. As I have often said in the past - Ignorance can be cured, but stupidity is forever.

I got this email and was furious when I discovered how misleading it was. So many folks are getting way ahead of themselves with this recession hype (and I knew we are in a recession)and this just adds to the "negative" pot that much more. I resent this email to friends and hopefully, it will work its way back and "undo" a little damage.

"I received an email telling about numerous retailers that were going to close their doors and wondered why I hadn't heard about this on the news (one thing it said was that all Talbot stores were closing. ) Well, the email is full of misinformation. If you get emails like this before you hit that forward button, please check them out on snopes.com before passing them on as they can be devastating to businesses!!!! If you received this email and still have it in your "in box", hit "reply all" and provide the snopes link to them below. We can take this step in reversing bad news!!"

Howyoufigger, that is good advice! Don't buy what you can't afford to pay for now. I think that bailout brought over extended credit to attention and many are now realizing that those credit cards aren't so hot. That's one of the reasons for the decreased spending among consumers.

What have we come to that people are undermining other businesses by discouraging people from buying their gift cards! Now that is some dirty thinking isn't it?

I think it's fearful thinking, actually. Folks (including myself) are afraid to put money onto a giftcard that will be useless if the business goes under. It's happened to me before: I won a gift certificate to Maui Smoothies from a silent auction. It was worth $25, and I paid nearly $40 for it. Within a month or so, the business shut down. Do you see my concern? It's not my intention to undermine anyone... I'm just an underpaid consumer and a cautious shopper!

Who's not underpaid these days? I understand what you mean about the gift cards. I'm replacing those with nice little baked goods this year... Not much moolah to go around!

The key to using gift cards wisely is to use them right away. Don't hold on to them for months. Heck... I don't know how people do that. I get a gift card, and I'm there!! LOL!

I've already requested 2 gift cards for Christmas. But I usually request them from major stores that I know have a good history and will be around. :-) And then... I use them right away.:-)

Ya know... we've got to get over this fearful thinking. The media (again) is pumping us full of fear. We have the choice to say (through our actions) the heck with you media! People control the health of the economy. We control it by spending, and we control it's health by spending "wisely". That means not buying things with money you don't have.... whether it be gifts or houses! :-)
Especially houses!
Don't trust what bankers or loan agents say just because they say it. See a financial planner or an accountant...they'll more likely tell you the truth about what you can afford. :-)

Thanks for the financial tips, SusanS. I certainly won't refuse any gift cards I receive this Christmas; I will simply make sure I spend them quickly! :)

Hey, Susan... I can't afford a financial planner. Will you be mine? :) Just joking... I couldn't resist the opportunity.

Cute Curmudgeon!.... Well, if it's any consolation, I can't afford one either! I'm just very blessed to have several good accountants in my family!
Want some good (FREE) financial advice? Go to
www.daveramsey.com
He's got it right! :-)

Ha... Thanks, SusanS. You're an upstanding blogger! You should be named the Holiday Cheermeister this year! LOL.

LOL!! That's funny!! I guess it's part of my nature.
You should have seen me in Wal-Mart today though... you wouldn't have awarded me then! LOL

So how did we get from starting rumors to financial advice? LOL!

So where'd everybody go? LOL!! Ya know... we all had this great talk about rumors... and then we headed straight to that fire blog and did exactly what we have been saying we shouldn't do! Unfortunately, that blog was a bit too entertaining!

A little too entertaining, indeed. I think I have have blog-induced ADHD. Hahaha. When I see a juicy blog, I lose my concentration and focus. LOL.

Yeah ptl.... those heated blogs can get you reaved up, huh!!
It is so interesting if you notice that the "nice" blogs don't get many posts. But the sensitive issue blogs or controversial blogs get TONS of posts! LOL!