The Layaway Fairies
 

This story made my Grinch-sized heart grow three sizes today.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...ry.html?sub=AR

LOL.

I consider this a good thing only if clothes and other necessities for low income families are being paid for.

Families that go into debt for holiday (and year-round) purchases that include toys and entertainment systems need to bite their own bullets.

Well, I think every kid deserves some kind of toy at Christmas. Not an XBox or iPod or some other big expensive thing, but some little happy thing. Children only have so long to be children and to experience that innocent joy that only children are capable of. There's plenty of time for austerity in adulthood. Do I think debt for toys is a good thing? No, but some of the stories I've read about this online are not for huge purchases. Of course, if someone is willing to gift a ginormous flat screen TV to a stranger, who am I to quibble? (Considering posting my address here just in case someone on GC is feeling generous.)

Yes, but layaway is actually a very responsible way to go about buying "nice to haves" for your kids. You put some money down and it's a low interest rate, but you don't get your stuff until you pay for it in full... It's essentially saying "I don't have all the money NOW, but I want to make sure I get this, so I'm going to take your assistance in helping me save up."

I agree…it's definitely a better idea than say, using a credit card to buy something.

Yes, and there are still people who go into debt in order to pay for layaway items. That includes people who do not pay for necessities, including not paying some of their bills, in order to purchase holiday gifts.

America is one of the biggest consumer societies, the average American is of a low or relatively modest income, in debt, and lives paycheck-to-paycheck. The holiday season is good for the economy but crappy for what happens after the halls are decked and it's back to the daily grind. I'm just saying...thanks to the Layaway Fairies though.