Are we getting too cheap as a society? It seems as though Americans are always looking for the best deal on everything. I know I am certainly guilty of it. I want to get the most bang for my buck! Are we really looking to save money or just spend our savings on something else?

I think maybe the bigger question here is – are we living from a lack mentality? Are we behaving like we have limited money, time, resources, love, acceptance and so forth. Has the Godlessness and lack of discipline finally caught up to us?

Obviously the answer to that question is a resounding yes. If people are getting trampled and even worse killed over Black Friday sales then there’s a serious problem. They have taken our desire to save money and turned it against to the point where the Thanksgiving holiday in America has been completely infringed upon. It’s no longer about giving thanks, it’s about getting to stores to start Christmas shopping that evening and night.

Really, is this what we have turned into as a country? So desperate to save money that we end up discounting what’s really important, our family and friends, and time together as a unit. It’s time to wake up, stop overspending and stop feeling the need to buy everyone everything. Perhaps we have all gotten a little too materialistic.

While I’m on the subject of money and mentality I want to say a few words about minimum wage. I want to preface these statements by saying that I don’t currently work a minimum wage job but have over the course of my life, so I know the pain.

Here’s the thing. If we raise minimum wage too high it will have a detrimental effect on our economy and consumer spending. It’s very simple really – when the cost of employees increases so do the goods, food or services their employers offer.

Retail prices must increase to help offset the newly increased cost of minimum wage employees. It’s the natural progression of things. You don’t really think a company is simply going to absorb a payroll increase without increasing their prices do you? That’s an absurd notion! What this means is that the dollar menu now becomes the 3 dollar menu and the ripple effect of an increase in minimum wage drives the prices up on all goods, food and services.

So every sector of business in these United States that employs those receiving minimum wage will be impacted. Higher retail prices could have the effect of less business, less profit and less available jobs. If minimum wage increases and the cost of everything you already buy increases then what are you really gaining? Nothing!

Minimum wage jobs are not meant to be careers. I submit to you the idea that minimum wage jobs should serve as fuel to your inspirational fire. These jobs should inspire you to reach higher and want more out of life.