We stand just days before Christmas now.  Even if you don’t celebrate the holiday, you are forced to admit it’s pretty important around here.  If for nothing else, you’ll probably get the day off.

Though retailers had hoped the holiday season might be salvageable, most of what I’m reading points to consumers cutting back this year.  I didn’t cut back on the number of presents I bought, but I scouted coupon codes and took advantage of free shipping more so than in the past.

I also bought myself a present, a second case for my iPhone.  My first one works fine, and my new one is just the same thing in a different color.  The case is called the SwitchEasy Colors.  My original is in black and the new one in red.  Normally I don’t “accessorize” like this, but I did need a new screen protector for the phone.  The case comes with 2, and I ruined one the first day I got it.  The second one I messed with too much and now there is some dust under it I can’t remove.  I’ll be more careful when the new one arrives.  Why didn’t I just buy a new screen protector?  To put it simply, this case is about the same price as the screen protectors I shopped for.  It’s like buying a box of cereal for the free toy.  Well if the toy costs $3 and the cereal is $4, it doesn’t kill me to get some cereal out of it.

I’ve talked about it briefly in previous posts, but have you noticed the price of gas?  Holy night!  I just filled up 16+ gallons for less than $27!  I can be quoted as supporting $5.00 gas, but that doesn’t mean I don’t mind it’s cheapness right now.  I’d like to be proud of you for not going out and buying a gas guzzler now that gas is cheap, but I know it’s only because you can’t get the financing to do it.  OPEC announced they would cut production of oil, which usually means the price will go up.  As a tribute to the loss of their significance in the world, the price went down instead, touching $35 on Friday.  The only sad thing about this is we are in a recession, and all the good news above is a direct result of that recession.

In other news, I mailed off what I understand to be my last payment on my car.  I’m very stoked about this, as it’s one month earlier than I expected and it means I paid off a car in less than a year.  I am very pleased with this news as I can take the money being used on the car and apply it elsewhere.  Once I actually receive the title back, I’ll do a full post about my experience.

And please take notice of a new banner on my site for Tom’s Shoes.  Tom’s Shoes makes hippy shoes that I would never buy.  But I know plenty of people that do.  The best thing about it is that each pair you buy allows Tom’s Shoes to donate a pair to a needy child.  If you like the shoes, please order some, the cause is good.

The next week will be a mix of some normal posts and some thing that have nothing to do with money or finance.  If you’re like me, you’re tired of all the bad news.  Changing the subject for a few posts will gear me up for a new year of depressing news.

Enjoy your weekend Weakonomians!

By The Weakonomist

The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics.

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