Every once in a while a product that’s been on the shelves for a long time but never got your attention before will suddenly grab your attention and end up in your shopping cart. Sometimes it is placement on the store shelves that moves and you realize you are out of your routine. Sometimes it is new packaging, such as brighter colors on the box design or change from a box to a resealable bag. Sometimes it must be a mental response to a commercial or even subliminal advertising.

Well, whatever the reason, today I noticed a bag of chicken jerky in the aisle for dog treats. It seemed to be a good sized bag with multiple treats inside, so I decided on a lark to buy a bag and see if my dog likes them. We haven’t broken into the bag yet but I’ll let you know if they are a hit or a miss.

My neighbor has either fallen on hard times or become much more “green” lately, and although we are not close (emotionally or socially) it is obvious by the change in his habits. Rumor has it that he’s used a Payday Loan and explained that to another neighbor as “just a little something to tide me over.”

I feel bad that he’s having money problems, but with the economy is such bad shape, it’s becoming more and more common for people to need a little help with short term loans. After all, it is better to borrow the money and be proactive than to bounce checks or incur late fees on your bills. Some people are even trying to refinance their Car Loans and get a lower interest rate or trade in their gas guzzlers and downgrading to a more economical car. After all, you have to do what you have to do when times get tough, but with time all things pass.