Not Even Thanksgiving Is Sacred?

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Not Even Thanksgiving Is Sacred?

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Personal Finance 101: Generation X Series – Marriage And Medical Insurance

November 25, 2011

How bad are things going in the economy today? Well, nobody knows for certain amidst fears in the United States and internationally around the stability of the dollar in many countries. Thanksgiving is supposed to be one of those special days where family, friends, and loved ones get together for some turkey, football, and pumpkin pie. As I spoke with some of my clients and friends over the past week leading up to today, it has become clear how disappointed people are in retailers and stores alike that not even Thanksgiving is a holiday anymore where we get to rest.

For the first time, retailers by the droves are opening up their doors on Thanksgiving with the hopes of attracting more customers earlier to get in on Black Friday deals rather than have the typical 4 a.m. morning rush. When Target employees learned that they would have to be working on Turkey Day, they immediately began an online protest (www.crainsnewyork.com). Other big retailers like Wal Mart and K-Mart are also going to be open for shoppers to begin the holiday rush. Is it appropriate for retailers to be open on Thanksgiving? In my opinion, this is NOT a tradition we want to begin in this country.

What's interesting is that most of us are talking about how we need start buying American again in the country. People are recommending that we buy more goods made in the good old U.S.A. and buy from local small businesses so we can keep the local economy going in our communities. Since I co-own a local business, I too love the idea that we are all trying to support each other.

Although Canada has a Thanksgiving holiday, Thanksgiving is really truly one of the only American holidays. It traces its roots back to the 1620's and in 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States; in it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to the country's war of independence and the successful ratifications of the U.S. Constitution. His successors John Adams and James Madison also designated days of thanks during their presidencies. (www.history.com)

It seems to me that our forefathers would be turning over in their grave with this wonderful holiday knowing that we spent it buying a flat screen TV or a digital camera rather than watching TV with our family and taking pictures with our loved ones. No matter how difficult times become, we need to keep some traditions sacred in this country. Thanksgiving is meant for a day of memories. It's time for us to blackout Black Thursday before it dries in permanent ink!

Written by:
Ted Jenkin, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA®, CRPC®, CMFC®, CRPS®
Co-CEO and Founder of oXYGen Financial, Inc

Ted Jenkin is one of the foremost knowledgeable professionals in giving financial advice and Smart Money Moves to the X and Y Generation.

Mahe sure to visit www.oxygenfinancial.net to request a consultation with the leading financial experts for Generation X in the country.

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS), Member FINRA/SIPC. Oxygen Financial is not affiliated with NFPAS. NFPAS does not provide tax or legal advice. This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives and Investment Advisor Representatives of NFP Advisor Services, LLC (NFPAS) may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact NFPAS Compliance Department at 512-697-6000. PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. NFP Advisor Services, LLC makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is NFP Advisor Services, LLC liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.

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Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. oXYGen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice. https://Bit.ly/KF-Disclosures

This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives of Kestra IS and Investment Advisor Representatives of Kestra AS may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact Kestra IS Compliance Department at 844-553-7872.

PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. Kestra IS and Kestra AS makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is Kestra IS and Kestra AS liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.