It seemed like a Good Idea at the Time

My Economic situation has recently shifted from Precarious to Marginal;  Well, it is an improvement.

So I can actually afford to window shop at the local Department stores, and my sister recently offered to get me some more goodies from LL Bean.  This spring I received a large box from them containing a really nice Winter Coat (Worn once during the last cold snap), Two Fleece Jackets and a Rain Parka. I'm set for the next year or three in the personal outerwear department.

With daily afternoon Thundershowers, I have been VERY grateful for the rain jacket.

I was considering asking them to contribute some items for my charitable distribution, but even on sale, the prices are a little shocking to someone who buys most of their new clothes at Walmart.  For example,  $18 for a Tee Shirt?   I have been buying new (100% cotton) Tee Shirts at Walmart for $4 this spring.  Another example of how divergent our economy has become. 

One of the older women I work with is in similarly precarious economic condition, I was going to request a suitable item for her from my family;  But I found myself browsing the clearance rack at Kohl's (I had a "Take an Extra 30% off" coupon) and found a perfect (OK, Good enough, she better like black) Nylon waterproof sports jacket of that sort. Right size, 80% off, good enough.

Nope, someone had moved it from the 70% rack. Oh well, just whining about it costing me more than I thought it would, $21.46 was still an incredible bargain for a generic name brand item like that.   Just wish the recipient was a tad more articulate about it being really useful. 

I'm never going to work all my good deeds off. 

Walmart Sales (Down for Five Quarters Now!)

According to a recent article, the Key "Same Store Sales" Metric continues to lag, another poor quarter (Down .04%) hidden behind the hoopla of Annual Meeting and Sales/Profits "Exceeding" expectations. 

Er, No.  Depending on capturing an ever expanding chunk of a shrinking market is not a menu for long term success.  At some point we need to revitalize the poorly performing areas of Walmart's core market, or the whole economy will slowly melt.