Editor's Note

Labor is the source of all wealth and all culture. --- Ferdinand Lassalle

A message from the Editor,Founder & President of csaccac Inc.

Cause & Effect: On the eve of my fortieth birthday, I'm standing in my moms kitchen at 9oopm in the evening writing a blog titled "Last Nite of Thirty-Something" to posted on Owning Pink, Wordpress, MySpace, & MocoSpace. Pressed for time, I do my best to sum up my last day and nite as thirty-something to crank out September's editor note. Eventually, I complete my blog in the kitchen. After completing my blog, I muscle up the nerve and brain cells to get my thoughts plus feelings about recent events on paper to hash out with readers as well as all with the consumers and shoppers who subscribe to the csaccac Newsletter. Because, I knew that the next day I would be feeling forty,not quite sure how the big 4-0 would affect my behavior more specifically, my mood,I wanted at least to get my editors note in on the day it had been designated to be completed or before the deadline. Candidly speaking the week before my birthday, I didn't quite feel the same and it seemed like my age finally had begun to show even though I wore a wig. While people I meet often seemed to be amazed when I reveal my age, I continued to feel the onset of forty without the Hollywood glam. Admittedly, for some people age ain't nothing but a number;however, I don't adhere to that theory._And perhaps it's partly because of my up bringing, I feel that age shouldn't be taking lightly in the work place and especially when dating. Truthfully, I have learned that at a certain ages women as well as men should evaluate the meaning life along with redefining their life. For example, at each of these ages I began to evaluate my life ,goals, and aspirations (18,25,30,35,&40) ;basically I had to tackle what I could live with and what I couldn't live with,what I had been willing to accept for myself,from myself and from others. Although,during each of those ages my bank account might not had aligned itself with my education and training, I always made room for improvement and look for better ways of bringing forth my full potential. In other words, I constantly searched for ways to be all that I could be to fulfill my date with destiny. Besides, why should turning forty be any different? As I see it ,turning a year older shouldn't be taken lightly,sure you can make fun of it ,laugh at it with your girls, mumble it through your teeth with every guy you meet,until one day you wake up with crows feet and gray hair then someone might get cussed out if they look at you too closely. Certainly, with the advancement in science there's a lot stuff on store shelves and online to give consumers and shoppers a youthful appearance but the old cliche “act your age not your shoe size" remains a rule thumb in my school of thought. And for a lot of adults it's understood and not always spoken,whether it's eating ice cream only on birthdays,sleeping with a male prostitute after a job promotion, apologizing to friend a fter a long absence, taking off the boxing gloves at a family reunion,drinking wine instead of a soft drink,or finally tackling that pile of bills and getting a debt management program or simply turning off the tv to read a book ,magazine or newspaper on a kindle"act your age not your shoe size" ,it's learned behavior,it takes practice,it's not punishment it's delayed gratification and it shows maturity. Today, much has changed in the sexual revolution from the days of my adolescence including a sugar free diet along with the openness of gay and lesbian rights. In the end, it's all about a consumer or shoppers maturity rate, stocks, bonds cds, and hedge funds some mature early, then there's a penalty rate if you cash them out too early ;ultimatelty, the maturity rate is based on the economy, fashion trends, and tourist. As a matter of fact , I had been labeled as a late bloomer;however,I prefer to think that I'm on a time plan which works well for me but it gets extremely painful,hurtful,spiteful and vindictive when my time table isn't the same as my favorite cookie recipe, Misses Field.

Conversely, as consumers and shoppers we don't have to wait to be homeless, jobless or even for a tragic accident or death in the family to reach maturity. And we don't have to wait to go jail to read a book, write a letter or note,pay it forward,or write a IOU note to a bestfriend or file bankruptcy. Sadly, as kids and adults we’re sometimes forced to mature before the god given clock that each us had been born with rings. (From whom the bells tolls ,it tolls for no one) it could happen at any instances such as in the now infamous 9-11 attacks and the recent lost of navy seals who captured Osama Bin Laden.

With shock and outrage, thousands of Americans matured on the day of the 9/11 attacks, one of the most horrific terrorist act in American History. Not a fairy tale ____where everyone lives happily ever after ,or even as one would like to imagine___ but death has a way of bringing people together and causing them to reach their maturity rate. And in all honesty, this one biblical principles cause a stir in my spirit, how true it might be,"let the dead bury the dead and let the living live in the land of the living." for this reason I love and prefer that a funeral or burial of a loved one to be called a Homecoming or Celebration of Life_______________Lastly, remember that English class I took in college ,Freshmen Composition, and the professor brought to the students attention that its not the dates of a person life a nd death that had been siginificant but the dash (-) in between and all the stuff they did and accomplish while waiting for life to mature. And miraculously, weeks before my fortieth birthday in the month of August, I escaped the jaws of death.

Day of Remembrance: Ten years after the 9-11 attacks American citizens remember the day that shook America's confidence and took the lives of thousand unsuspecting American men and women. And in a formidable tradition, a few days after Labor Day, American citizens along with the nation’s capitol commerated the Day of Remembrance that occurred on a Sunday of this year. For many Americans, the Day of Remembrance has become a vivid reminder of the plotted attacks against America’s citizens and the constant impending threat of terrorist acts from extremist anti-American groups. Even today, ten years after the attacks talking about the attacks continues to causes anger, rage, and despondency among Americans especially those who lost family, friends and loved one in the attacks. Although, the 9-11 attacks continues to cause emotional upheaval in discussions today many of the victims have turned their focus to healing and rebuilding the memorial to remember those who died in the attacks. Indeed, it’s very rare that to hear and believe with such mass loss of life that something actually good could occurr from such a horrific act. At the same time, who wants to think of the good after losing a family, friend, or loved one? Admittedly, no ne can put a timeon how long it takes a person to mourn the death of a familymember friend or loved one it is different for each person; however, part of the healing process as well as recovery process is finding the good in the bad. In this particular instance, America has choosen as part of the healing process to remember the innocent with a memorial at the exact location of the terrorist act.

Unfinish business on the home front: While America celebrates Labor Day and commemorates the 9-11 attacks, at the end of the day, America continues to have unfinished business on the home front. Remarkably, with the capture of Osama Bin Laden and the return of American troops, there continues to be unfinished business at the White House. Warily, American citizens have returned to their routines but not without uncertain and fear of future attacks. Certainly, it’s not surprising thata myraid of Americans has express concerned about the economic future of America and future generation of college grads. Make no qalms about it, the President election of 2012 focus for many American will be on the candidate who is able to create jobs and get the economy on its feet. Among the various news reports, it is apparent that up until the 2012 election congress along with president elect is making it their business to get the economy out of a rut and Americans back to work.Sadly, four years after the economic recesssion, unemployment remains in the double digits through out the United States and the economy remains saturnine.

In the same breath, American citizens held on to their Democratic and GOP hats during the deadline to default, eventually, dousing all signs of speedy economic recovery as, American businesses continues to struggle with slow sales. In the mean time while America grapples with high unemployment ,slow job growth, plus the return of its men and women from politically war ravaged countries, it must also face the fact it has unfinish businesss on the home front.

Forty SomethingExecerpt from Owning Pink:"Embracing life at forty-something,I survived my thirties with road blocks and obstacles to success. While embracing life at forty something__ just didnt happen for me overnight, I mean really who embraces growing older. Anyhow,embracing life @ forty something isnt as bad as it might sound;however,I knew it had to be done and conquered with out centripetal force i.e the (peace of resistance). As an affirmation, " I bravely,embrace, plus I accept turning forty(growing older) and all of its imperfections (me)"Furthermore,I know that life is a small word with big implications. Life did not begin for me at forty,actually,it recycled itself and give birth to a forty year old educator,motivator,writer, and entreprenuer. At the same time,I know that life is like the ebb and flow of beach waves on some of America's most precious coastal shore lines* after a while it recedes,corrodes,and errodes from attrition without daily replenshing of mineral,nutrients including calcium build up it becomes brittle not malleable causing dissension in parallel universes in other words bypassing or crossing paths that might not have otherwise been brought face to face. Moveover,I know that life is filled with plans,events,and precious moments.Likewise , I know that all that life has to offer both the good and bad has a season and reason that isn't always readily apparent. But,most importantly,I know that showing up for life is 1/2 the battle.Egregiously, the one thing I want to know about life is how did such a small word get such a big job and all that responsibility..."

It goes without saying: Traditions,holidays,birthdays and tragic events all have a place in American History. And it goes without saying that if as American citizens we dont learn from out past that our History inevitably has a way of being repeated.

Money matters!@!: In all types of relationships money matters.__ And what should a girl do when her money doesn't quite add up to the car, or apartment, even the man of her dreams...* She could either alter her lifestyle but dont give up on her dreams and as one Pastor has stated " God's delays is not Gods denials" or she could get a second job or find a man who'll put with her irresponsible shopping behavior and reckless regard for friends and family members. Of course the latter eventually will only place her into more financial and emotional turmoil.

*...

These days, especially after the 2008 recession if a consumer or shoppers tells you that money doesnt matter dont believe them unless they have money burn. Certainly,it's no secret that money is what fuels economy,keeps stores open ,pays mortgages,car insurance,gas,clothes,shoes,groceries,money also allows consumers and shoppers to go on dream vacations.

September's Assignment;The assignment for this month consist of several task first write a blog or in journal how you feel about money or felt about money as a kid. What were your ideas and beliefs about money as kid/? the second assignment is to visit several financial sites such as (Mint.com, Geezeo.com annualcreditreport.com,myFico.com,MsMoney.com & InCharge .org ) plus purchase a few books related to personal finaces to really bring the message "Money Matters" on my webiste as cacjohnson I posted two books that Ive begun to work with to help me get my personal finances Girl Get Your Money Straight & Girl Get Your Credit Straight both have some really good information into getting out debt as well as why "Money Matters"