FLIPSIDE

With the gas stations finally releasing their death grips from American wallets, shoppers have began the holiday season by spending money. A few months ago, the financial woes of America made the holiday season look bleak in the minds of retailers. Somehow, though, consumers have found a way to spend money this holiday season.

CNN reported that Black Friday brought in a total of $8.9 billion in sales. This was, overall, a 6% increase in sales from last year. These are surprising numbers. With the percentage of unemployment and home foreclosures increasing, its almost hard to believe that America has gone shopping despite the economical setbacks of today's economy.

The resurgence of the American shopper will help the overall position of the economy and hopefully get us back into a financial situation where shopping is comfortable and not a burden.

Perhaps the holiday shopping season will be the turning point in our failing economy. An upward trend in consumer purchasing will undoubtedly improve the economy, but will gas prices and unemployment percentages drop to a low enough rate to encourage consumer purchasing throughout the year? Catch ya' on the FLIPSIDE