UNBRANDED

ON THE CHILD-SPENDING SPECTRUM, THE POSSIBILITIES FOR EXCESS RANGE FROM O% TO 100%. O% REPRESENTS A REFUSAL TO SPEND DOLLARS NEEDLESSLY ON ITEMS, IDEAS OR ENTERPRISES THAT REVOLVE AROUND THE RAISING OF YOUR CHILDREN. AT THE OTHER EXTREMITY, PARENTS (MORE THAN LIKELY THE MOTHER ) OVER-INDULGE AND FIXATE ON THE BEST, MOST LUXURIOUS, EXCLUSIVE AND EXPENSIVE CHOICES IN CLOTHING, FOOD, EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH CARE, ENTERTAINMENT AND HOUSING. PARENTS SET THE PATTERN ON THE CONTINUUM OF O% REPRESENTING FRUGALITY AND COMMON SENSE TO 100% REPRESENTING A MIND-SET THAT NOTHING 'TOO GOOD' SHOULD BE MISSED.

ONLY THOSE IN THE 1% OF SUPER RICH AMERICANS WHO HAVE MORE MONEY THAN THEY WILL EVER BE ABLE TO DISPOSE OF, HAVE THE RIGHT TO CONSIDER 'HAVING IT ALL.' THE BALANCE OF US MUST DISCIPLINE OURSELVES TO FIND A REASONABLE RANGE OF CONSUMPTION. I SUGGEST, FOR A SAFE AND SANE BEGINNING, THE REJECTION OF BRAND NAME PRODUCTS AND PRODUCTIONS. DISREGARD THEM FOR CLOTHING, FOOD, EDUCATIONAL, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH CARE, ENTERTAINMENT AND HOUSING OPTIONS - AND YOU WILL REAP FINANCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REWARDS.

A FILM AND FOOD CRITIC SAID, "GRATUITOUS PICKINESS IS A SOUL-KILLING TRAP AGAINST WHICH THE CRITIC MUST ALWAYS BE ON GUARD." WORD SUBSTITUTIONS PROVIDE YOU WITH MY SAGE ADVICE. GRATUITOUS SPENDING IS A SAVINGS-KILLING TRAP AGAINST WHICH THE PARENT MUST ALWAYS BE ON GUARD."

HINT: NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE BRANDED.