I'm sure that the answer to my dilemma is probably pretty obvious. See, every tax season, when I get my refund, I usually get a lot of money back. This is the only time thru out the year I get to buy myself a "want" or 2. Spending most of the year paying bills and hardly having enough for some entertainment here and there, I figure it's kinda nice to be able to treat myself to something I couldn't normally get thru out the rest of the year. Usually I find myself sporting what was the latest the year before in technology. Long time ago I got my first beeper when cellphones were the thing to have, I got my first PC when everyone else already had one and mine was not exactly state of the art either. But at least I had one.

This year, things are quite different. We find ourselves in an economic situation that has me thinking twice about spending my tax refund. As I said, it's obvious I should be saving my money, especially considering we had a meeting last week where my boss anounced there is a possibility of lay-offs in 2 months, depending on how the business is going. Cemex in Mexico is taking a big hit due to the world economy and it's finally reaching the US shores. 2 months from now we will know the companies decision if lay-offs are necessary but we were also offered a possible alternative of working 37.5 hour weeks as oppose to the normal 40 rather than firing someone. As far as I know, everyone in my Department is willing to shorten their time rather than facing the death squad since we don't really know who might get let go. At this point anyone is game.

On top of possible lay-offs in the near future, I have also been following the news and how the economy has people scared to spend too much money (although watching the Superbowl makes you wonder just how many some are really scared) that they are saving more now than before, but at the same time, these saving are having a negative impact on our already week economy. The fact that people are not spending money is sorta bad for the economy as businesses make very little sales bring the posibilities of more job loses and there is very little money running thru the economy to stimulate it.

So here I am cracking my head over whether I should indulge myself in my one-time chance to enjoy a gadget that is normally out of my reach (an iPod, my own copy of Object Desktop Ultimate, a new digital camera, an HDTV, you get the point) and help stimulate the economy or save my money just in case and make the impending doom of our economy more likely which in the end saving my money would have been good but also might be pointless if our economy crashes. Of course, this is an exageration, but I like to keep all the possibilities on the table. You never really know.

I won't deny my desire to treat myself is strong and is the driving force of my debate with myself, but I am also trying to keep a straight mind about the economy. If I spend money I help the economy but could hurt myself, if I save it I could help myself (and my family) in case of an emergency (such as losing my job) but could hurt the economy by not helping stimulate it. The decision right now is not really that tough, save the money. But I would like some comments on what do you think about the concept of people saving money and hurting the ecenomy at the same time by doing so. Maybe f it makes more sense to me I can stop wondering and questioning. Thanks.