Two Hammers

Before running out and blowing your tax rebate check on the first big screen tv you see at Wallmart, let us consider how that money can feather your nest and also help your local economy.  Spending the money on a big screen tv is almost like direct deposit into a foreign bank account; a small percentage will stay with the local retailer, and a smaller percentage will stay with the trucking company, but the majority of the money is going straight to a foreign manufacturer.  Instead consider spending the money on locally manufactured goods and services with a large labor component.  Buy a piece of art from a local artist, or a product made at a local manufacturer.  Crown moulding in the living room will make a nice job for a local carpenter and painter while sprucing up the home.  Or, the unemployed carpenter down the street could use a couple of days pay doing maintenance projects around your home.  Money spent on local labor will circulate at least once locally before heading offshore to a foreign bank account.

The local businesses which are going to be the main benefactors of such spending need to do their part also.  Invest the windfall profits on tools and equipment, software, and employee training; which will enhance your capabilities or increase efficiency.  That way you will be in better shape to weather a recession.  In addition, the money will circulate a second time through the economy and have a multiplying effect.

We all watch too much tv anyway!

I do not get phone calls from my brother anymore.  He is either out fly fishing or getting his gear ready to go - or, occasionally trying to salvage his fading career.  I do get an occassional e-mail from him, penned late at night or during a storm shower.  The last e-mail which I recieved was a lengthy 3 pager itemizing all of his latest acquisitions from Cabela’s.

A new 3 wt. medium fast action 7 foot rod, reel with extra spool, floating and sinking tip lines, waders, etc.  Good job jump starting the economy brother.  I will hire some additional help in anticipation of the trickle down effect.

Every weekend brother dearest is out fly fishing, by mid week the only thing on his mind is going fishing again.  His yard is over grown, the dog is starving, his life is in shambles, and he tweaks when he talks.  Next year for Christmas I think that I will just get him a good book.

(Ed. This is an update on “Another Life Ruined by Fly fishing”)