The Big Squeeze: the ever rising costs of just about everything

Is it the goal of every business, public institution, or organization to squeeze as much money out of us as possible? I think so.

Here are some reasons why.

The costs for essential services or products routinely go up.

Prices for essential products or services increase (e.g. rent, plane fares, bank fees, insurance premiums, co-pays, or pharmaceutical drugs) annually or regularly. I never know the rationale for such increases, but I'm guessing it's partly because consumers (as a group) don't question them; we just pay up.

"Free" stuff now comes with ads.

TV advertisements inundate every medium, even those that used to be ad-free--blog posts, YouTube videos, and "free" movie apps (such as TUBI). 

Admission prices often out of reach.

Admissions to theme parks, celebrity concerts, movie theaters, and major zoos can be out of reach for many low-income persons and families.

For example, one major zoo charges $56 for adults (12 and up) and $46.00 for children (3-11). A family of four would pay $204 for a 1-day pass.

Extra cruise activities/events can come with a cost.

On-board beauty workshops, seminars on art, or port talks seem geared toward making sales rather than sharing information with cruisers, who already have spent hundreds of dollars on airfare, cabins, port tours, drink packages and gratuities. 

Cable service is expensive.

Cable companies constantly push add-ons (e.g. enhanced Internet service) to their basic service. My cable bill (minus any add-ons) is close to $200 per month (14% of my rent and more than my car insurance). 

I pay for channels that I never watch--foreign language news, sports programming, outdoors programs, and countless lesser known TV channels featuring old TV shows, and even older, movies.

There is no option to choose programing tailored to my actual viewing habits--5 channels and two premium channels. 

Hotels have resorted to "resort fees." 

Recently, the local news in Las Vegas reported that guests are fed up paying "resort fees" at large hotel chains. Fees at Strip hotels range from $15.00 to $45.00 per day, per room.

One hotel, just outside Las Vegas, offers two- or three-day promotions for free rooms, free concert tickets, and free slot play (averaging about $30 per day).

I happily take advantage of these perks but spend enough on slots and food to pay for the free stuff.

In addition, I pay the resort fee of $18 per day (up from $12 a couple of years ago). 

Airline baggage fees can add hundreds of dollars to a fare.

The most confusing and scary part of a recent trip was determining how to avoid excess baggage fees. I am no good at measuring whether my bag has "...max linear dimensions of 62 inches" or whether it weighs X number of pounds. (No big scale at home, duh.) 

So, I guesstimate. As it turns out, my bag was overweight by one pound, but the agent allowed it to go through. 

On the return trip, I was 4 pounds overweight and had to re-pack (on the floor in a crowded wait area). I got it under 40 pounds, but misplaced my passport in the process. 

I had pre-paid $35.00 for one bag and would have had to pay another $30 for up to 50 excess pounds. 

One of my fellow travelers paid $150 in excess baggage fees.

Options, please

I realize that businesses, organizations, and institutions also must pay for goods and services and need to cover costs.

Still, consumers have fewer and fewer options in the marketplace to lower living expenses or to control how much we pay for insurance coverage (health, car, home), rent, food or electronic devices.

I 'd love to hear your comments about any fees, charges, or add-ons that drain money from your bank account.

Face Time

I avoid mirrors; they lie, deceive, and confuse.

Whose face is that with deep crevices around the mouth, dark circles under the eyes, and sagging jawline?

Mine?

I search in vain for the woman (girl?) who once attracted males so eager to please whenever I stepped up to a counter, entered a room, or needed assistance.

I look, but she's gone.

Consequently, my new (old) face, avoids selfies, group shots or live-chats.

Most of the women in my family, on the other hand, are hooked on selfies. Why not? They're still young or young-ish. Wrinkles and frown lines are of no concern.

In September 1983, my mother--who died in 2015 at age 95--wrote an article for Essence magazine "Act My Age? At My Age?" describing her reaction to aging:

"I gazed in wonderment and disbelief at the drawn face! Whose face was that? Where was the smooth-complexioned, somewhat attractive face that I had been accustomed to seeing so many mornings? And when had that youthful face drifted into the past--leaving only a reasonable facsimile of me?"

Exactly.

Some of you are probably thinking, "Get over it. Everybody gets old."

True, yet, older women, unlike older men, aren't considered "distinguished" or "handsome," or "dignified." Well into their sixties and seventies, men date or marry women of all ages.

I despise the unflattering misconceptions about older women. Too often, we are considered:

• asexual
• physically unattractive
• "cougars" (read: predators) if we date younger men

Martha B. Holstein, guest editor for 2017-2018 edition of Generations, published by the American Society on Aging writes: 

"The message is clear and powerful--we are not socially valued, except in specific situations like the cuddly grandma role, and we are not expected to have anything to contribute. Each morning when I open my newspaper and scan the news from Washington, D.C., I am presented with a sea of men in suits. People that look like me are rarely at the table while matters affecting our lives are discussed. When other features of our identity-race, class, and disability--are added in, the potential for exclusion expands." 

Into her nineties, my mother, "Miss Kitty," would smile brightly for photos, not the least bit self-conscious about her aging countenance. 

The article explains her epiphany:

"...I took another look (in the mirror)…staring back at me...was the reflection of an older woman (who) appeared to be well-adjusted to and quite satisfied...that she was not only a mother and great-grandmother, but a great-great grandmother...I gave a silent prayer of thanks for my good health and for an astute and very active mind."

I loved my mother's 95-year old face! Above all, I cherished her quick wit, feisty spirit, and unabashed love of self.

She's my role model for accepting inevitable physical changes to my face and body and ignoring other's misguided perceptions of me.

Now, you might be wondering, "How old is she?"

Well, let's say, I am lucky enough to be blessed with four children, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren, all of whom love me just as I am.

Likewise, my interest in writing, politics, music, technology, environmental issues, animal welfare, and contemporary culture keeps my mind sharp and my ideas relevant.

Meanwhile, I continue to work toward greater self-acceptance. 

Thank you, Miss Kitty.