Day 24 and The Economy

CUHRAP!!!!  $323.49!  Yep.  That was our total at Wal Mart Friday.  Unbelievable.  That finished us up getting everything we will need for the trip.  So Saturday the wifey decides we need to pack everything into our backpacks and see how it fits and how heavy they are, etc.  My initial thought was that it was a little early to be doing that.  But she proceeded to remind me that we only have one more weekend at home before the trip and that my work schedule during the week for the next couple of weeks is a little crazy.  So actually, it wasn't really a bad idea.  I just didn't want to mess with it because I knew it would mean no KoD4 on Saturday (and I was right).  So we loaded it all up.  Put everything we planned to take for a 17 day trip into two big (a 5700 and a 5300 cubic inch) backpacks and our two much smaller (roughly 1200 cubic inches) carry on backpacks........  We're in trouble.  Do any of you have any idea how much stuff you can fit in a 5700 cubic inch backpack?  We don't have any scales in the house (wifey's rule), but I would bet dollars to doughnuts my backpack weighs at least 100 pounds.  Add on another 20 or so for my carry on backpack......  eventual injury seems to be inevitable.  I'm just glad we don't have to haul those big ones around every time we leave the hotel.  For now, I must devise a plan to convince the wifey that she doesn't need to take 21 outfits and 5 pairs of shoes for a 17 day trip.  That way I can maybe move some of the snacks and toiletries to her bag and avoid two separated shoulders and and multiple herniated discs from hauling a third adult around on my back for half the trip.  I'll be sure to let ya'll know how that goes...
$323.49 at Wally World.  Geez.  Our contribution for stimulating the economy, I guess.

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Reading through a couple of threads in the Duty forums led me to my own thoughts and wonderings about the economy.  And instead of jacking those threads, I figured I might as well stick it here and maybe do my little part to get the ball rolling on an upturn in the economy.

To this point, the wifey and I have been fortunate as the downturn in the economy has not affected us, or this area in general, that significantly.  Sure, everything costs a little more due to gas prices, but outside of that, things are stable here.  The housing market has remained fairly stable and there have been only minor changes in the unemployment rate.  But, I also know if there is a reversal in the cards for the economy, it needs to happen soon.  If not for my brothers here that are suffering, for my own selfish reasons as we are not invulnerable, just blessed that we have not been effected as significantly.

Reading through these threads got me to thinking, though.  What can we do about the economy?  Obviously the stimulus rebates will help in some form or another.  Only problem is, the full effects throughout the economy likely won't be felt for months.  And I do believe that even if you do nothing but pay bills, that does help the economy in some fashion.  What else can we do, though? 

A few obvious thoughts come to mind... Buy American when possible.  Conserve on gas when you can.  Go ahead with that project you were considering, if you are financially stable-it'll give someone else a job they desperately need and have a significant trickle down effect into the economy.

All those things will help, and possibly sooner rather than later.  But what else can we do?  I am open to suggestions.  Share your thoughts and knowledge.  Who knows?  Sharing a few ideas here may lead to nationwide trend that gets our ailing economy back on the right track.