Business Pulse: Is the devil behind credit card debt?
I’ve come to realize one of my biggest character flaws is believing movie boxes. And I know my wife more than agrees with me on that statement.
Cupcake has been left shaking her head more than once when I’ve begged to rent some “riveting, suspenseful thriller” or a film that claims to be “non-stop laughs.” There have been many times where I’ve come dashing down the movie aisle, pleading my case to rent a movie that claims to be “a fun-filled romp for the entire family.”
After Friday night, I’ve decided enough is enough. I rented the movie “Rat Race” in large part because the back of the box said, “Quite possibly the funniest movie ever.”
Now I’m not totally downing “Rat Race.” It was funny in spots. But whoever said it was possibly the funniest movie ever must have just suffered a few blunt blows to the head.
On a positive note, at least I’m not out much money when those movie rentals don’t live up to their billing on the box. The same can’t be said about back-to-school shopping, which costs more than even movie popcorn, according to a recent survey conducted by Myvesta Financial Health Center.
The survey indicated the average back-to-school shopper will spend over $4,000 this year – $4,144 to be exact. If you find this figure unbelievable, take a number behind me.
In my days of back-to-school shopping, I’d be lucky to get a few pairs of blue jeans, a new shirt and some shoes. Toss in a few notebooks and some pencils and my folks might be out $150 or $200.
According to Myvesta’s survey, times have sure changed. Back-to-school shopping is greater than the average family vacation ($2,172) and it far exceeds holiday shopping ($773).
With that kind of spending, it’s no wonder people are battling credit card debt. Fortunately for the congregation at a Norfolk, Virginia church, they can roll up all the back-to-school spending they want and the church will pay off the debt. And the spending doesn’t have to be confined to back-to-school shopping.
A recent Wall Street Journal report indicates Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church has raised over $300,000 with the sole purpose of helping its members escape credit card debt. Thus far, about 60 members have had their credit card bill paid off by the church.
According to the church, the devil is believed to be the cause of credit card debt. Those who have their credit cards paid off must also attend financial counseling.
One thing is for sure. You won’t find the devil in this week’s Business Pulse. This is a 100 percent devil-free column. It doesn’t even have any calories so you can read Business Pulse without the least bit of guilt.
DePieros buy flower shop
Katie Holt says 27 years is long enough to own a flower shop. She’s had enough time to stop and smell the roses. That turned out to be good news for Judi DePiero and her daughter, Chrissi DePiero. The two had been thinking they would like to own a flower shop.
So when Judi saw an ad in the Standard indicating Kathy’s McMinnville Flower Shop was for sale, she decided to check it out. “I figured it wouldn’t hurt to call,” said Judi.
About a month later, Judi and Chrissi now own the flower shop located on Court Square after finalizing the deal Monday. They are new owners, but Judi wants everyone to know they can expect the same great service – from the same staff – when they stop by what is now McMinnville Flower Shop.
“We’ve always done flowers for friends,” said Judi. “We’ve helped people with weddings and things like that. So far everything has gone well. We’re having school this morning.”
Even though Judi and Chrissi know several tricks of the trade, they still have more to learn. That’s why they’ve been having “school” which has given them practice at doing certain arrangements.
Katie says the fact her former flower shop is in capable hands makes it easier for her to step down.
“I had mixed feelings about giving it up,” Katie said. “I’m going to miss it but I’ll still be around. They say I can still come up here and help.”
Katie and her daughter, Kathy Rigsby, first started their flower shop on Spring Street. Back then, it was a two-person operation. In 1988, they moved to the store’s current location on Court Square.
Judi and Chrissi hope all of Katie’s customers continue to patronize the shop now that they own it. Judi is married to Ron DePiero and the couple has four daughters. The other three are Amy Jones, Lisa Miller and Laura DePiero.
Security Federal loses two vice presidents
Security Federal announced earlier this week two of its senior officers have resigned. The two employees are executive vice president and commercial loan officer Ray Talbert and vice president and chief financial officer John Duncan.
In a statement released by Security Federal, bank officials wished Talbert and Duncan well and thanked them for their many years of service. The release indicated quality replacements are currently being sought by Security Federal’s board of directors.
As for their reasons for leaving, Talbert and Duncan indicated they wish to pursue other business opportunities. As for what those opportunities could be, I guess we will have to wait and see what pops up.
Rigsby sells furniture at affordable prices
Jeff Rigsby often sees the price of new furniture and just shakes his head. He finds it hard to believe some people will pay $1,800 for a sofa and chair.
“I had a friend tell me he paid that much for a sofa and chair just the other day,” said Jeff. “That’s unbelievable. For $110, I can get you a sofa and chair right here,” he said motioning to a sofa he has for $65 and a chair that sells for $45.
It’s with that thinking Jeff has opened Odds-n-Ends Used Furniture-n-Antiques on South Chancery Street. The store is located just past Viola Highway next to McMinnville Transmission.
“This stuff isn’t perfect, but I try to keep things people can afford to buy,” he said. “I figure business might be slow at first. There might be some days no one even stops in. But the more I can get people coming in here and seeing my prices, the more they’ll start coming back.”
Jeff works third shift at A.O. Smith and collecting antiques and furniture has always been a hobby. Now he hopes it can turn into a successful business and he’s determined to make it work. His first day was Wednesday and he says he plans to get a flashing sign to attract attention.
Store hours are Monday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. His store has tables, beds, an entertainment center and other odds and ends. The phone number is 507-6337.
There’s a new taste at Hardee’s
The grill at Hardee’s has been tossed aside. In its place, the restaurant is now offering charbroiled hamburgers and an all-new charbroiled chicken sandwich.
You say this doesn’t sound like such late-breaking business news. You won’t say that after you bite into a new charbroiled Hardee’s burger and taste the difference.
“Almost everybody has said they like it better,” said Hardee’s general manager Dick Stepien. “And a lot of people still don’t know we have the charbroiled chicken.”
The switch to charbroiling is part of a company-wide initiative to make Hardee’s food taste even better. Nationally, Hardee’s restaurants are switching cooking methods following detailed studies which have shown charbroiling is preferred by customers.
But that’s not all. Charbroiling is also healthier than frying so you can almost rationalize that eating a Hardee’s burger is good for you. OK, I don’t know if you can go that far, but at least it’s tasty.
In case you were wondering, there are 2,358 Hardee’s restaurants nationally.
That’s all folks
Anyone who wants to help pay off my credit card debt can do so by sending money directly to me. Or if you have a business tip, call 473-2191 or you can send me an e-mail at [email protected].