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American's Spent $1 Billion on Nothing!

That's right, Nothing.

Of all of the Luxury Fund stats I've posted over the past couple of years, this one bugs me the most.

In one year, American's spent over a BILLION dollars on "virtual goods". Virtual goods are things that don't exist (like virtual crops for instance) that help a person in an online game. In a recent report by Frank M Magid and OpenFeint, American's spent $168 million in one year on mobile virtual goods, which were used for smartphone games. And that aint nothin! Annual sales of virtual goods for xbox live bring Microsoft $625 million a year. Just as startling is the estimated $600 million spent on Mafia Wars and Farmville.

It's easy for me to freak out about this, because I've never played any of these games and I don't know the joys of harvesting pretend corn, but really, is it just me, or is this crazy?

If you are able to make a sacrifice today to help someone who has nothing, please click here:

100% of the donations are divided equally between Blood Water Mission, Compassion International, IJM and Love 146.

Luxury Fund blogs are never intended to point fingers, blame or shame anyone. We are here to make people aware of the excess luxury spending in America and asking you to consider what luxury you can give up for the good of someone who has nothing.

Independence Day Spending

Every 4th of July over 87% of Americans spend time and money celebrating Independence Day. According to a survey conducted by BIGresearch Americans spent about $3 Billion this year to celebrate the holiday. Here's a dollar break down on this years spending...

$600 Million - Fireworks
$2 Billion - Backyard cookouts

• $92 Million - Chips
  
• $60.3 Million - Dip
  
• $193.6 Million - Hamburger meat
  
• $70.4 Million - Buns
  
• $86.2 Million - Cheese
  
• $203 Million - Mayonnaise, Mustard and Ketchup
  
• $161.5 Million - Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions and Relish
  
• $111.1 Million - Charcoal
  
• $94.3 Million - Lighter fluid
  
• $167.5 Million - Watermelon
  
• $107.7 Million - Popsicles
  
• $341.4 Million - Beer
  
• $101 Million - Soda
  

That's not all. An estimated 35 million Americans traveled over 50 miles for their celebration. That carries quite the price tag too.



Luxury Fund blogs are never intended to point fingers, blame or shame anyone. We are here to make people aware of the excess luxury spending in America and asking you to consider what luxury you can give up for the good of someone who has nothing.

Valentine's Day Spending

If you've read this blog for very long, you know I usually have something to say about holiday spending. Well, I've got some more stats for you along those lines. I was unable to find exact numbers for spending in 2009, but the estimated spending for Valentine's Day this year was almost $15 Billion. Last year, Americans spent $18 Billion on Valentine's Day gifts. I'm always amazed at how much we shell out for things. We have become a very commercialized consumer-oriented society. While we're munching on chocolates and smelling roses, millions of people around the world are in need of simple necessities for survival. Consider giving up a luxury today for the sake of someone who has never known a luxury.

These blogs are never intended to condemn or point a finger at anyone. We should be grateful for the luxuries that we have and enjoy them. We should also be able to forgo them from time to time for someone else.

Super Bowl Numbers

Here we go again with some staggering statistics from the athletic side of things here in the USA. As you all know (and I found out yesterday morning) last night was the Super Bowl. I, not being a sports fan, have a hard time believing the numbers that I have found involving money and the Super Bowl. Let's take a look, shall we?

30 second advertisements for this years televised Bowl game were around $30 Million!

The face value of the tickets to this years Super Bowl was between $800 and $1000 each. Resale value for the same tickets was around $2500 each. Total ticket sales for the game $57.6 Million.

The players got a piece of the pie too. Each team member on the winning team, takes home $78,000 for the game. The losers get a measly $40,000.

And the players aren't even the biggest profiteers in this whole deal. Retail sales for team related merchandise are estimated at around $125 Million.

and finally, for a whopper of a number.... in 2007 sales of HDTVs sold to people who cited the Super Bowl as the reason for the purchase ...drum roll please....$2.2 billion!!

Meanwhile on the other side of the world 3000 children die each day from Malaria.

25% of the Luxury Fund each month goes to the Compassion International Malaria Fund, where $10 provides a mosquito net for children in Africa, which will protect them from mosquito bites and prolong their life.

Would you please give up a luxury this month for the sake of these kids? $10 will provide a child with a mosquito net.

100% of the money given to the Luxury Fund is given to the 4 organizations that we support. Please click on their links to learn more about each one. Also, be aware that the Luxury Fund is not a 501c3 organization, which means your donation is not tax-deductible.

Pampered Pets

It's safe to say that some animals in the USA have it better than a lot of people around the world. It is estimated that Americans will spend $52 Billion on their pets this year. Which, by the way, is more than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries in the world.

Think about this...

Our dogs never miss a meal. They drink all of the clean water that they want. They have better medical care than even a lot of people in USA have (just the fact that they have medical care puts them ahead of millions of people in the world). There are doggy spas, mobile dog grooming services, professional dog walkers, dog motels, dog massage therapists and even animal psychologists.

If that's not enough, there are even "Neuticles" which are testicular implants for dogs who have been neutered, so that they can "retain their natural look and self-esteem". They've sold over a quarter million pairs worldwide.

Um, wow!

Don't get me wrong, I love my dog. As a matter of fact, I have the best dog in the world (that has been verified by many people). But there is such thing as going overboard with any kind of non-essential spending.

If you happen to be one who gets your dog a pedicure, massage or an hour session with the psychologist, maybe you could give that up this month for the sake of people in the world who need clean water, mosquito nets or a safe house to escape from slavery. Your dog won't mind, I'm sure.

We're back in action!

Sorry for the unexpected time off. All is well here. I got too busy for my own good for about a month and I'm just getting a little order back in my life. First of all, I want to thank you all for your participation in the Luxury Fund. Between July 15th (our starting date) and December 31st, you gave $4454! That is incredible. Thanks for your part in that! Whether you gave money, added us as a friend on MySpace or Facebook, told your friends or whatever, your part was a big one, and I am grateful! I'm looking forward to a new year of giving. If you have any ideas about how you or I can turn our spending into giving, please post them here as a comment. It will be helpful to hear your ideas.

So, how about a staggering statistic of the week for ya?

Americans spend $33 billion in weight loss products and services each year.

Pretty crazy that we have to spend $33 Billion to lose weight when so many people go to bed hungry every night!

Let's be grateful for what we have and share with those who don't!

Thanks!!