THE 4th of JULY
What Do Freedom And Independence Mean to You?
by
Terrence Shulman
Last Singer Janis Joplin once sang in the song “Me and Bobby McGee”: “freedom’s just another word for nothing less to lose.” It’s an oft-repeated and iconic line. Many of us have felt the brunt of loss over the last yearjob, money, home, possessions, relationships, health, and beyond.
There’s no making light of loss, of course, but I recall a friend–a recovering shopaholic–who lost her home, most of her job income, and truckloads of things she had accumulated over the years. As she downsized from her home to a smaller rental home to yet another smaller rental home and purged most of her non- essential materials things, she remarked how much lighter, happier, and free she feels. She embarked upon a new chapter in her life and, with some anxiety, she felt hopeful and excited about the chance to reinvent herself and also reclaim parts of her authentic self which she had lost sight of.
Sometimes, things just weigh us down. Can you relate?
As we approach the U.S. 4th of July Independence Day holiday, take a moment to consider what freedom and independence mean to you? In these ever-challenging and globally volatile times, it is easy to focus on the importance of financial independence and freedom from anxiety. These are wonderful goals. Still, maybe we can appreciate whatever freedoms we do currently enjoy.
For most of us, we have our physical freedom to move about and our freedom of self-expression and our freedom to pursue a life of authentic meaning and purpose. We can also claim our independence from addictions and from dysfunctional relationships and our right to vote independently for what we believe in. Freedom doesn’t just mean doing what we want to do every moment independent of others. We must coexist among a multitude of individuals and systems with which we don’t always agree but compared to most systems and countries, we have many more rights and privileges which we too often take for granted.
Life may not be perfect but this holiday allows an opportunity to soak in the gifts of freedom and independence that we may not have had in the past or may not have in the future. America (and Americans) tend to value “rugged individualism” and “freedom” at all costs. But do we need to balance the “I” and the “We?” The current health insurance debate is a good example.
As we seem to move further away from healthcare as a right to healthcare as a privilege, we seem to be going backward to a “survival of the fittest” state. But, as a nation, isn’t it in our collective interests to help our fellow citizens rather than close our eyes, minds, fists, and hearts just to make sure there’s more money for those who already have so much? Is this what our forefathers imagined as the “united” states? A free society also needs to have a “free” press.
But what happens when the press is under constant attack and there no longer such a thing as “facts?” And what about democracy itself? As we struggle to get the basic facts about our last election and how much our faith in free and fair elections may have been impinged, we may be witnessing the erosion of an election system that used to be the envy of much of the world. Is this what we fought so many wars for? And speaking of wars… Is there any rhyme or reason anymore for the wars we continue to fight? So, whatever you’re doing this holiday–relaxing, spending time with family or friends, enjoying the weather and some fine food, slow down and embrace our freedoms and independence–two of our greatest assets while we still have them.
A SHORT (POSITIVE) REVIEW OF
NETFLIX’S NEW 10-EPISODE TEEN SHOPLIFTING DRAMA
by Terrence Shulman
Well, I finally finished watching the ten episodes of Netflix’s “Trinkets” a couple days ago. Most of the episodes are about 25 minutes long (without commercials) so it’s about a 4-hour commitment total.
Here’s my review…
I actually thought it was pretty good. The acting was decent and the three main characters are interesting and their character development was believable and moving… and there was a plot twist and surprise or two- -without it being too cheeky–and some cliffhangers at the end, too! Perhaps there’ll be a “Trinkets 2”? Haha!
There haven’t been many TV shows or movies that highlight shoplifting behavior and this one clearly shows the addictive aspects of it-complete with short clips of the three teenage friends in a local (Portland, Oregon) Shoplifters Anonymous meeting in every episode. (In reality, I don’t believe there is any such support group in Oregon).
While much of the series highlights various issues most teens go through in high school (parents, romance, sex, drugs, bullying, cliques, trying to figure out life), I felt it did so in new and interesting ways in the service of the plot, character development, and how everything related to how and why the characters got into and continued to shoplift).
There are some dramatic licenses taken around the shoplifting theme (I don’t think they showed enough of the negative consequences and none of the characters were in therapy).
The fact that most of us likely didn’t shoplift with others and felt much more shame and isolation in our stealing makes it a bit harder to related to the kind of group shoplifting that often takes place.
But, all in all, I’d give this PG-13 film a three out of four star review.
If nothing more, I hope Trinkets starts a good conversation about shoplifting and why people do it and what we need to know to get help.
See article on “Trinkets” in which I’m quoted: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2019/06/235137/netflix- trinkets-shoplifters-anonymous-why-kleptomaniacs-steal
JACK HAYES, INTERNATIONAL RELEASES
ITS 31st ANNUAL RETAIL THEFT SURVEY!
by
Mark Doyle
We recently completed our 31st Annual Retail Theft Survey, and you can find the results on pages 4 & 5 of this newsletter. For additional information, and to download a complimentary copy of this survey visit our website at: http://hayesinternational.com/news/annual-retail-theft-survey!
Theft case values soared in 2018 with the average shoplifting case value ($301.97) increasing 11.8%; the average dishonest employee case value ($1,361.37) increasing an amazing 30.1%; and the total average theft case value ($408.77) up 17.0%! While the retailers participating in this survey did not apprehend as many thieves as they did the previous year, they were recovering more dollars from the thieves they did apprehend. With the increase in dollar recoveries, retail theft overall continues to be a serious problem for retailers negatively impacting their bottom-line, which results in higher prices to consumers.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM JACK L. HAYES INTERNATIONAL’S 31ST ANNUAL RETAIL THEFT SURVEY
TOTAL RETAIL THEFT Survey participants apprehended a total of 279,196 dishonest individuals (shoplifters and employees) in 2018, a decrease of 11.8% from the prior year. However, dollars recovered from those apprehended thieves increased 3.2% to over $114 million in 2018.
For every $1.00 recovered by our surveyed companies, $12.79 was lost to retail theft. Therefore, only 7.8% of total retail theft losses resulted in a recovery.
SHOPLIFTING Apprehensions: Survey participants apprehended 251,051 shoplifters in 2018, a decrease of 11.7% from the prior year. Recoveries: Dollars recovered from shoplifting apprehensions totaled over $75.8 million in 2018, a slight decrease of 1.4% from 2017. Case Value: The average shoplifting case value in 2018 was $301.97, reflecting a substantial increase (11.8%) from 2017 ($270.20). Dollars recovered from shoplifters where no apprehension was made (over $126 million) decreased 1.4% in 2018. This was the first decrease in over 20 years.
EMPLOYEE THEFT Apprehensions: Survey participants apprehended 28,145 dishonest employees in 2018, down 12.7% from 2017. Recoveries: Dollars recovered from dishonest employee apprehensions totaled over $38 million in 2018, up a substantial 13.5% from 2017. Case Value: The average dishonest employee case value in 2018 was $1,361.37, an amazing increase of 30.1% from 2017’s average case value ($1,046.72). One out of every 40 employees was apprehended for theft from their employer in 2018. (Based on comparison data of over 1.1 million employees.)
YOUR BRAIN ON MONEY: THE DANGERS OF RETAIL THERAPY
by
Joel Schlesinger
(June 20, 2019 Vancouver Sun)
A little ‘retail therapy’ from time to time is a good way to blow off steam.
But too much spending can have the opposite effect, causing stress and anguish come credit card statement time.
Licensed Insolvency Trustee Lana Gilbertson of MNP 310-DEBT has certainly seen the negative effects of overspending with many of the clients she sees in her Vancouver practice at their debt-load breaking point. “I would say discretionary spending is a big issue for many.”
In large part, she adds families are already stretching their income to pay for ‘needs’. But paying for the ‘wants’ is another matter, she says. “They use credit, and frequently take on debt for discretionary spending.”
Indeed, many Canadians may have an overspending problem, according to MNP Consumer Debt Index data released in the spring, which found four in 10 people regret the debt they carry. Almost the same number cannot pay their monthly balance in full. And many are nearing their breaking point. In B.C, the survey found one in four would be facing insolvency if they fell $200 short of income each month.
Of course, the remedy is to earn more, spend less and use savings to pay down debt. But the growing field of behavioural economics suggests this is easier said than done.
In her practice, Vancouver-based therapist Megan Sutherland works with compulsive spenders, manifesting extreme behaviour. Yet she says almost everyone has emotional triggers causing them to spend more than they should.
“Retail therapy is pretty widely accepted as something that is fine to do from time to time, and if it happens without major impacts, who are we to judge?” says Sutherland, whose practice is Willow Tree Counselling. “But sometimes it can be hard to discern when it’s a problem and when it isn’t.”
Like many experts helping people with overspending, she notes often individuals buy when anxious or depressed. That’s all fine and good until those shopping pick-me-ups make the situation worse.
Adding fuel to the flames is that it’s easier than ever to overspend because we can shop online 24/7 and credit is widely available, says Terrence Daryl Shulman, a therapist and founder of the Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft, Spending and Hoarding in Michigan.
“It’s magic money.”
He adds spending with plastic is increasingly seamless, noting that consumers now need only tap their cards or phones on the terminal – no need for a PIN anymore on many purchases. While convenient, experts argue it’s too easy because it eliminates the immediate pain of payment.
According to research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied in 2008, paying with a credit card for example makes people spend more readily than with cash because of the delay between the purchase and the consequence.
Laurie Campbell, CEO of Credit Canada Debt Solutions, says our consumer culture often encourages overspending, even more so thanks to social media. “There’s that FOMO effect,” says Campbell, based in Toronto. “We convince ourselves by not having that ‘something’ we’re missing out.”
Remember keeping up with the Joneses? Well, Shulman argues “keeping up” is on steroids in the age of Instagram. “The old Joneses were your neighbours down the block,” he says. “Now they’re Beyoncé and the Kardashians.”
He further adds we are often faced with mixed messages. On one hand we’re told to be financially responsible, and on the other we’re encouraged to consume. “I don’t know if it’s quite the same in Canada, but here it’s like ‘Be a good American; spend money and help the economy.””
Certainly, consumption is unavoidable. We need to spend money to survive, and discretionary spending is not in and of itself a vice, Sutherland adds. “But lines are crossed and people often spend money they don’t have.”
The drivers can be external like social media, “Or sometimes it’s family patterning, what people have been
exposed to while growing up.”
Often our current emotional state and impulsivity play big parts too. “Nice clothing, vacations and nice cars- these things do make people feel good, right?” Gilbertson says. Except credit, she adds, allows people to spend ahead of actual income.”And if there isn’t a plan in place to repay, or no big raise around the corner, this spending can spell trouble because debt often snowballs.”
Sutherland suggests people can discover other, less costly methods to feel good. “Often those may feel a bit lame at first until the brain can recalibrate to really find the new hobby satisfying.” But with time, they often prove more fulfilling.
Just as important, individuals need to develop more self-awareness and accountability at the till and ask themselves: ‘Do I need this? What will its impact be on my finances?’ Otherwise, it’s too easy to slip into the pitfalls of the buy now, worry later culture, Sutherland says.
“If you’re in that fugue state of mindless spending, you are likely to go on forever until some horrible consequence occurs.”
According to research, paying with a credit card makes people spend more readily than with cash because of the delay between the purchase and the consequence.
Need help staying on track with spending?
Consider these tips from Lana Gilbertson, Licensed Insolvency Trustee at MNP 310-DEBT.
Set financial goals: Budgeting is all fine and good, but it’s unlikely to work well without goals underpinning it. “If you tie financial goals to income, debt and actions, the chances are you’re going to be more successful.” Track spending: Without literally writing it all down, or using an app to track spending, it’s far too easy to let yourself off the hook and remain ignorant of shopping behaviour.
Limit buying power: Use debit instead of credit, and if you still buy more than planned, go to cash only for discretionary shops.
Put savings to work: Take money not used on spending to build emergency savings (at least three months of basic living costs). Don’t forget, however, to repay debt at the same time. As a rule of thumb, Gilbertson suggest 80 per cent of free cash flow to debt, and 20 per cent for emergency savings.
Attack the debt: When faced with multiple debts, Gilbertson recommends using one of two strategies. First is the snowball method: You eliminate the smallest debt first, and then you on to the next smallest. This gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to keeping going. The other strategy is the avalanche method, which involves paying highest interest debt first. Afterward you take on the next highest balance. With every payment, more money goes toward eliminating debt while reducing interest costs.
HOW I SPENT MY 54th BIRTHDAY
by
Terry Shulman
On June 27, 2019 I turned 54 and officially outlived my father, Robert Shulman, who died at age 53 twenty- six years ago on April 20,1993–just 2 months shy of turning 54. My father died relatively young–mostly through his own lifestyle choices and also after nearly five years in a wheelchair from a severe stroke at age 48. For the last 26 years since my father’s death, I’ve lived with some free-floating anxiety, wondering if I, too, would die young. Fortunately, I’m in relatively good health but need to improve my eating, exercise and stress-management.
In talking to several of my close male friends, many have also shared how their fathers died relatively young. Besides outliving my Dad in quantity of years, I’ve tried hard over the last quarter century to learn both from his life–both the good and not so good–and live a more quality life than he did. While it’s harder to measure quality than quantity, I feel that the relative wisdom and peace I’ve gained since entering therapy and recovery at age 25 in 1990 has been a true blessing. I still have a lot to learn and do my best to stay humble.
I had a wonderful birthday weekend, celebrating with family and friends and culminating in an all-day lake party at my friend’s home. The weather cooperated after two months of intermittent rain and lower than normal temperatures.
I don’t know what the future holds and am hoping that–since I’ve now outlived my father–a deeper peace will
set into my mind and heart. I have a goal to at least work until age 65 and to tap into some renewed creative energy as I’ve really slowed down over the last four years or so. I half-jokingly blame my do Bam Bam for my becoming an evening couch potato. He’s a blind male Shih-tzu who came into our lives over 5 years ago at age 9 and he’s become my teacher in slowing down and resting and playing more.
I am appreciative of the wonderful family, friends, clients and colleagues who have enriched my life and supported me through an amazing journey… one that I hope continues for a long, long, time.