Recent comments

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    I inconsistently ignore the whole thing yet everyone I know complains their head off about Valentine Day's overly corporate nature.

    I'd have to agree: to the degree that anyone pays attention to it I imagine it's very difficult to avoid some sort of consumeristic insecurity.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Yes, it's way too commercial! I'd rather just have my boyfriend tell me that he loves me than have him waste $20 or more on gifts and flowers.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    I liked making valentines in elementary school and having fun candygrams, etc. However, now people make way too big a deal out of the day. Everything seems a little cliche, and too many people end up disappointed or upset that their significant other didn't do enough or something. I'm personally staying in, not buying anything valentine-related, and ignoring the occasion. I don't dislike Valentine's Day, but it's overdone in today's society. And I already tell the people I love that I love them on ordinary days.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    It is way too commercialized, just like every other holiday, but I really do enjoy it, and I look forward to it. We just look for cheap alternatives, such as homemade crafts, sweets, et cetera.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    I don't think Valentine's is too commercial in our household, but I can look out at what the rest of society does and think it's ridiculous. We normally take the time to appreciate each other's company (this is surprisingly difficult with laptop/iphone/etc distractions). Make some homemade food, some homemade valentine cards. Last year I made his card and and cut it up into puzzle pieces that he had to reassemble.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    You shouldn't need a special holiday to show your love for your significant other - if that's the case, then therapy is the ideal gift!

    But seriously, even if you and your SO agree that V-Day is too commercial, you STILL end up feeling compelled to do something to recognize it. It's a mental trap.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Does it matter?

    If you are a guy you will buy the flowers, buy the dinner, buy the candy and buy the gift. Why? Because you want to stay out of the doghouse and because you'd hopefully like to partake in some nocturnal recreational activities.

    If you fail to do these things, not only will said recreation not be available for weeks, but you will also be guaranteed a long argument about how cheap you are, how you don't love her, what an awful person you are, and then the obligatory reminding you of every single bad thing you've ever done. Yelling will most definitely be involved; crying and breakups may also occur.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Yes, it's over commercialized, but that doesn't mean that you can't or shouldn't celebrate it.

    Personally, it's not a big deal to me. I do think it's more important to treasure your loved ones throughout the year. Celebrating my wedding anniversary is way more important to me.

    That said, it's nice to have reasons to do things a little more "special" on occasion. Dh and I are planning on making a special meal at home and staying in. There won't be presents, but the menu will have an ingredient that we don't typically buy (as a treat.)

    Plus, if it weren't for Valentine's Day I might never have a reason to use all the heart cookie cutters I inherited!

  • Only Celebrate A Few Select Birthdays   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Seriously, how cheap and/or lazy are you? Is it too much to ask that you should spend a few hours to make someone feel special on one day out of the year. One measly day. One day of being the center of attention is all some people ever get. And heaven forbid you should *gasp* buy them a gift or take them out to dinner. That would be totally un-frugal of you.

    You should remember that not everyone is living in an eternal party. Not everyone is not surrounded by tons of awesome friends and family who make them feel great 24/7/365; thus negating the need for any additional celebration.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    I do think that Valentine's Day is too commercial. There is no reason why people should feel heartbroken or lonely for not having a sweetheart on this one day that has been nearly universally deemed as "a day for love". Particular days should be uniquely significant to different couples based on their history together.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago
    yes

    I find it far too commercial, and my boyfriend and I don't celebrate it. This year I did get suckered in by the perfect card that caught my eye at Target and bought it for my boyfriend in mid-January just because I knew he would love the card.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago
    Yes

    Yes, but so is every other Holiday. Really doesn't bother me too much besides that one diamond commercial with the guy and girl trapped in the cabin. :)

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Valentine's Day is slightly commercialized, but not nearly as commercialized as Christmas. People don't feel obligated to participate when they don't have a significant other. In other words, most people don't buy V-Day gifts for friends, parents, siblings, etc. -- just boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses. Many of the traditional V-Day gifts have become cliche, such as a dozen red roses or a box of chocolates. If you can be creative and do something outside the box, then you will stand out from the crowd and be that much more special to your significant other.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Valentine's Day is way too commercial. It shouldn't take an overpriced Valentine's Day gift to show your sig other you love them.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    I like having a special day devoted to love, but the whole thing is way to commercial. If you overlook that, its a fun way to get creative with all your friends on the same day. That way we all share love together and have fun, which is possible throughout the year, but some people are so busy and need the holiday ;)

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    We don't celebrate Valentine's day. The traditional gifts, chocolate, jewelry, and other assorted stuff, are all opposed to what we're trying to do in our home, with diets and decluttering in full swing.

    The spouse and my dating anniversary falls on the 16th of February, so we choose to celebrate that event with an extra nice meal.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    It is very commercial, but at the same time it reminds us to do something special for the ones we love. Therefore, while annoying, I sort of like it anyway.

    This year I'm paying my fiancee's ticket/travel costs to a convention. Not all that exciting, but definitely meaningful to him. :)

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Valentine's Day is commercial but so what! Every day is what you make of it. Setting a side a day to let your loved ones know that you love them is great. You do not have to spend a ton of money on Valentine's Day; make it your own but do not let it be the only day that you let your loved ones know that you love them.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    As a former Bartender at High End Restaurants, I was able to see just how miserable the commercialization of Valentines Day makes it for Singles and Couples alike. Over Priced Prix Fixe meals, impossible seating times, stressed out couples with overly high expectations, miserable Waiters/ Waitresses who are single and having their faces rubbed in it, miserable singles at the bar getting drunk and hoping desperately to get lucky.....But most of all, we are beholden to the tacky Jared/ Zales/ Kay Jeweler Spots on TV every 15 seconds with their twisted view of reality....It's a manufactured Day of Commercialism and Money not Love, and it ends up more in tears than joy for most.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    YES, it's too commercialized! I would rather be shown love in small ways 365 days a year than one big, overdone, impersonal show of roses, chocolate, teddy-bear-holding-a-heart, and dinner on one day, just because Hallmark and Godiva say that's the day that matters. Valentine's Day is any other day for me, whether I'm single or in a relationship.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Wouldn't say so. So whats wrong in taking some time off, a planning special evening, with personalized gifts. I mean sure, "every day should be cherished as a special day", but how many of us actually follow through on that. A bit of reminding, even if by people looking to make a profit, would not hurt.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    like most every other nice, genuine thing in American culture, we have over-hyped and over commercialized valentines day into utter retail submission.

    time for it to go away.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    Yes, it is commercial, but that doesn't mean I have to fall (as in, pay for) for all the hype. We make each otehr's gifts, which allows us to remember to show our appreciation for each other without breaking the bank.

  • Ask the Readers: Is Valentine's Day Too Commercial? (Chance to win $20!)   16 years 10 weeks ago

    all the advertisements for jewelry, flowers, and waxy chocolates just seem to cheapen the occasion.
    i'm tired of feeling pressured to buy crap for someone based on a calendar day.
    when are we going to have to start buying president's day gifts for each other?

  • Buy-and-Hold Investing: 4 Ways to Make It More Effective   16 years 10 weeks ago

    I think this may be the opposite of what you meant:
    "The idea is to buy when the red line goes over the black line and sell when it goes under"