This week, Disney divorced its ABC news channels from YouTube subscriptions. For those of us who watch local or national ABC news channels with our YouTube subscriptions, this forced a change in habit. The forced change left people with a number of choices about whether they would change their viewing habits or sign on to more costly television plans. It was a bold, money-making move by Disney, the ABC parent company. I'm sure they were hoping to move many viewers to their costly television plans.
As I thought about the choice my family would make, I thought about the changing culture around us. What cost less in the past, often costs more now. Also ease of access came to mind--what subscriptions provide ease of access? I also thought about the many groups I pay on a monthly basis as a show of support or payment for specific services. In some cases, I know I'm likely paying too much and will revisit those plans soon, and in other cases, recent changes have resulted in less costly services and money saved.
The way we spend our money defines how we spend our time in many cases. So, as I think about this today, I am thinking about these categories.
Food
Of course, I'm angry at government leaders who are upsetting and increasing the costs of people's benefits and expenses related to food and healthcare. I believe that we have to support a government that ensures that all people have adequate health care, nutrition, shelter, education, and accessibility to healthy recreation too. I'm a fan of taxation that makes sure the government collects enough money to support those in need and the kinds of services that make us a strong, humane, positive country. I am so sad to see the President of the United States and his cronies flaunting their greedy power and privilege via extravagant, and potentially illegal, White House renovations, Mara Lago parties, military home renovations for non military leaders, the purchase and use of unnecessary planes, the inhumane treatment of individuals, and heartless decisions that harm the country's most marginalized and vulnerable people.
So as I think about the expenses related to food and the people who are struggling to put food on their tables, I know that we can help out by contributing foods and dollars to agencies that distribute food. I also know that we can cut down on our food costs by eating in, cooking more, and shopping around the border of the grocery story for more natural foods rather than costly, unhealthy processed foods.
Home
As many are doing today, buying second-hand goods and donating unnecessary objects to second-hand stores and social service agencies helps us to save money and spread the wealth too. This can also be considered a political act because by not supporting the greedy organizations that prop up political greed and danger, we send a message that we don't agree with the way these corporations are handling their finances, business dealings, and consumer rights and care.
Entertainment
I worry about Disney's move with respect to their potential desire to move towards less versus more media choices, and without media choice, we may be relegated more to "state television" which only shares messages that some greedy and uncaring leaders want to send. Is Disney playing into our current undemocratic regime's hands with this move? I think this might be the case, and I'm going to be watching out for this.
Like many, I love a good movie, up-to-date news, comedy, and other forms of online entertainment, so I'll likely spend a few dollars on subscriptions that provide this kind of entertainment. I'll also spend a few dollars for museum memberships, local theater/music, a dinner out now and then, and travel. To save money, I'll pay attention to the benefits my union membership, health care plan, state/local government, age, and other organizations provide. For example, if you're in your sixties, Massachusetts provides a $10 pass to all state parks for the rest of your life. That's a great deal since Massachusetts has some terrific state parks. There's a similar pass for National Parks for senior citizens. Fourth graders and their families get free admission to all National Parks too. There are deals out there that help you to have fun and save money too so it's good to spend some time figuring out what those deals are.
Point systems
Over the years, I've made good use of point systems from various companies that have saved me money and afforded some good travel options. I'll continue to use these systems thoughtfully as they last and add up to a good deal.
Relationships with good, honest, ethical companies
More and more I want to research the politics and work ethics of the companies I do business with. I want to begin spending my dollars more at companies that care about the greater society, not companies that care only about profit and big salaries for corporate leaders. This holiday season I bought almost nothing from Amazon since their corporate leadership appears to be greedy and supportive of hateful political leaders. I want to investigate this arena more.
Home made fun and entertainment
We all have the capacity to build our own cultures via homemade fun and activities. Just recently a friend told me that their multi-age family enjoys nights of conversation and coloring. Her son sets up the table with all kinds of coloring tools, color books, and paper, and as they visit, they all color. That's creative. There are countless ways to get together creatively to have fun playing games, gardening, making things, singing, acting, eating, and more.
Long range planning
I love planning events several months ahead simply because I love studying all about the events and the anticipation that comes with looking forward to an enjoyable event.
Insurance, health care, heating, maintenance expenses
There are many expenses that come with daily living. If we get too comfortable with the patterns of these expenses, we may find ourselves spending a lot more than we have to. In one case, after some research, I lowered a monthly bill by $200 because I was working with a company that drastically overcharged for services I could get at a much lower cost. It's good to revisit who you deal with on a yearly basis to make sure that you are working with reputable, ethical companies with fair prices. This year I'm going to revisit affiliations with insurance providers, health care, and some maintenance costs.
Objects
There are objects in my home that bring me a lot of pleasure and objects that are dull and time-consuming. As much as possible, I want to rid my home of every item that I don't need. As I say to myself all the time, "Less things, more time to enjoy what you really love in life."
The culture of our lives is always changing, and as the world around us changes, we have to decide what we want to keep and what we want to retire. Making time to think about this has the potential to make life more meaningful and positive. Onward.
