Christmas Consumerism – It’s Time to Nip it in the Bud

Barney Fife of the Andy Griffith Show, played by the late Don Knotts, is one of my favorite TV characters.  Ol’ Barney is known for a number of now famous quotes, including “Nip it, nip it, nip it – just nip it in the bud!”   

According to a telephone survey conducted by the American Research Group, the average U.S. adult spent $535 on holiday shopping in 1995.  This almost doubled in 2001, reaching $1057.  In 2007, the average adult holiday shopper expected to spend a whopping $859, less than in 2001 but still a huge increase over 1995. Read more