UNCOMMON CENTS 49

THE PASSING OF ANOTHER OVER-RATED AND OVER-PAID ENTERTAINER REMINDS ME OF THE SCANDAL OF FINANCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY. WHOSE MONEY FOR RECORDS, TAPES, CD'S, DVD'S AND CONCERTS SUPPORTED THE SOUL LEGEND, JAMES BROWN? ALSO, IN AN UNRELATED ISSUE, WHOSE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE WILL BE IRRESPONSIBLY ABUSED BY HOTEL AND CASINO, HARRAH'S, IN LAS VEGAS WHEN THE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY'S DEBT IS NOW 8 TIMES ITS CASH FLOW?

THE CREDITORS OF COURSE. COMMON CITIZENS ARE ALSO LOSERS WHEN UNFORTUNATELY, THEY USUALLY SPEND BEYOND THEIR MEANS ON ENTERTAINMENT FOR INSTANT GRATIFICATION RATHER THAN SAVING AND INVESTING FOR FUTURE ENJOYMENTS.

THIS PAST YEAR, THE REAL AVERAGE WAGE FOR EMPLOYEES INCREASED BY 2.8%, ABOUT $1200.00 OF PURCHASING POWER PER HOUSEHOLD. WAS THIS BONUS PUT ASIDE? NO WAY. EXPENSES RISE TO MEET INCOME EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE UNNECESSARY AND ENTERTAINMENT DRIVEN. THIS CHRISTMAS, AMERICANS BOUGHT $600.00 PLAY STATION 3 COMPUTER GAMES FOR CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 6 AND $150.00 KID-TOUGH DIGITAL CAMERAS FOR 3 YEAR OLDS. HOW MANY TIMES? TOO MANY TIMES. TOO FEW AMERICANS INVESTED EXTRA CASH RATHER THAN TRASHED IT FOR TRANSITORY PLEASURES. AND COMPUTER GAMES AND CAMERAS QUALIFY AS TRANSITORY PLEASURES.

THIS WAGE INCREASE PROBABLY ACCOUNTED FOR SOME HOUSEHOLDS ACQUIRING A NEW PET THIS CHRISTMAS. ADVICE FROM EXPERTS SHOULD BE IGNORED WHEN THEY SUGGEST BUYING 'PREMIUM' FOODS AND INSURANCE FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS AND SAVING FOR 'END-OF-LIFE EXPENSES. THE BETTER ADVICE WOULD BE TO PAY YOURSELVES FIRST BEFORE YOUR DOG OR CAT.

YOUR RETIREMENT NOT THEIRS IS ON A HORIZON FARTHER AND FURTHER AWAY THAN A BELOVED PET'S. PETS ARE KNOWN FOR ANIMAL INTEGRITY. WHY NOT PATTERN THEM BY SHOWING FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND SPEND WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF COMMON SENSE?

HINT: MAN'S BEST FRIEND (AND WOMAN'S) IS HIS COMMON SENSE.