Celebrate Freedom

Fourth of July weekend is almost upon us. The weather forecast is for the upper eighties and ninety degree temperatures. It looks like the beaches and parks will be crowded. A three-day weekend is a good time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. Schools are out and many families take vacations the first two weeks of July. Fireworks and freedom signify the Fourth of July in our country.

Yet, as we look around, there are many economic woes among our citizens. I have several family members and friends who have been out of work for over a year. Although they have spouses that are working, paying the bills has been difficult. One of these family members is worrying about foreclosure on their home. Any of us can be in their place if layoffs reach your particular job.

Food prices continue to rise. Each week at the supermarket, I am buying basically the same amount of items but the cash register is ringing up higher and higher totals. I recently heard a financial expert state that we should prepare ourselves for skyrocketing food prices.

Housing prices continue to fall. Interest rates are very low which is good for home-buyers but if you are able to have a small amount of savings in the bank, you don't earn much interest on that money. You do just a little better than sticking that money under your mattress!

My mother tells me stories of hard times growing up during the Great Depression. She had to drop out of school to go to work to help support her family. Food was scarce and clothing was mostly hand-me-downs from sibling to sibling. These memories have stayed with her for her entire life and she remains very frugal still today. Are we heading in this direction or will the economy recover?

Fourth of July is a day to celebrate. Times are difficult for many in our country but we still must stop and remember that we are a nation of freedom. Even during difficult times that is our greatest treasure and the Fourth of July is a day to cherish it.