weblog #8 A Plan For Hard Times: Print Cash

According to A Plan For Hard Times: Print Cash, residents in Riverwest will print their own money to keep the area economy humming.

People in Riverwest decided to print their own local money as recession fears grow. The money can be used only in that area and has local landmarks instead of presidential portraits on it. Dozens of such systems flourished during the Great Depression. They emerged as a solution in order to against globalization by keeping wealth in local people’s hands. It is a very attractive and maybe useful idea when the economy looks so hopeless now. The method benefits residents through an exchange process. The money they print costs less than traditional dollars. And when businesses agree to value the local currency the same as the greenbacks, they also get a free stack to kick-start spending.

At first, it may sound like the consumption vouchers that will be provide later in Taiwan.
However, the differences are that their local money will increase in value but consumption vouchers won’t and consumption vouchers’ using has a time-limit which the other does not have. Nevertheless, there is one thing I am worrying about. Both of the ideas are producing money. Wouldn’t there be a problem of inflation? And then I think: maybe in the experience of the past this situation has never happened before.

weblog #7 Consumer Prices Fall on Drop in Energy Costs

According to Consumer Prices Fall on Drop in Energy Costs, consumer prices dropped by the largest amount in 61 years in October as gasoline pump prices dropped by a record amount.

The economy condition this year has been a tragedy. Many people or companies have lost a large amount of money. Since savings has decreased, people have been less willing to spend money. Therefore, people will do their best to cut down expenses on what costs the most, such as food and energy. What wonders me the most is why on foods and energy? Should not it be clothing or entertainment? It seems that Americans usually place priority on clothing or entertainment, no offence. Take myself for example, if I am in that situation, I would prevent myself from looking for new clothes and have entertainment that is for free, such as surfing the Internet or go watching movies in the library.

Recently, our government announced a new policy which is to provide consumption vouchers valued at NT$3,600 to each citizen hoping to stimulate consumer spending to help revitalize the domestic economy. Japan has carried out similar policy before. As to America, it may be hard to put into practice because of the serious recession which happened early this year. However, the policy did not reach the officials expectation very much.

weblog #6 Pepsi Ice Cucumber, Anyone?

According to Pepsi Ice Cucumber, Anyone?, products in Japan are always replaced speedily and are various in kinds.

Japan is a already developed country, over developed, in my opinion. People are always working samely day after day. They need more stimulation to infuse themselves some vigor and power. Therefore, business men have been racking their brains to satisfy these picky and fickle consumers. I have been to Japan a few times and what I have seen is that they certainly are working very hard. Any snack or beverage can have more than three flavors in order to encourage people to buy, but some of them really confusing. For instance, cucumber cola or pumpkin cream puffs are seemed really unable to be found in western countries but are simply so normal all over Japan.

The culture in Japan is so special that even international corporations have to take special measures to match up with Japanese shopping habits. However, there are disadvantages. The inconvenience of unable to find replaced flavor can be upsetting and discouraging. In Taiwan, the situation is not as extreme as the original country so customers do not have to worry about what choices to make. Nevertheless, we have less choices and the shelves in stores seems to have less creativity, innovation and, especially, vitality.