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!!

Update Video

We are not a 501c3 organization. Donations are not tax-deductible, your only reward is knowing that you've helped someone who was unable to help themselves.

Black Friday Numbers Are In....

Not even a recession will hold back Americans when it comes to spending money. What if we were as eager to give as we are to spend? We could change the world. No, really, we could! Friday, Americans were out in droves fighting fatigue, traffic and fellow shoppers to get the best deals on new stuff for Christmas. The preliminary numbers for spending on Friday are estimated at $10.6 Billion. That's an increase of 3% over last year. $10.6 Billion is over half of what's needed annually to end world hunger.

The Luxury Fund gives 100% of the money that we collect to 4 organizations who are working hard to change the lives of people all over the world by freeing slaves, providing clean drinking water for people who don't have it, mosquito nets for kids who are likely to contract malaria from mosquito bites and loving homes and counseling for girls who have been set free from sex slavery.

Isn't that worth more than an X Box, iPhone, or the latest Hannah Montana paraphernalia? I think so.

If you want to know more about each organization, check out their links on the side of the page.

Help out if you can. Even $1 helps.

If you benefit from or enjoy this blog, please subscribe and tell your friends about the Luxury Fund.

Staggering Statistic of the Week 11-24-08

They call the Friday after Thanksgiving "Black Friday". It's when millions of Americans go out and spend money that they don't have (most of the time) on things that they don't need (also most of the time).

Last year on Black Friday, Americans spent $531 MILLION just on online shopping. Yes, that's one day of internet shopping! Wow!

Last year between November 1 - 23, Americans spent $9.3 BILLION on online shopping!!! Can you believe it?

This year, would you consider making a donation to the Luxury Fund on Black Friday? Let's have a day of our own Staggering Statistics proving that we do care for people who have nothing and are dying as a result.

Thanks for your help!

Cable TV $

And now for this weeks staggering statistic...

Americans spend around $75 Billion a year on Cable TV.

Just think of how much money AND time we could save without it.

We're still hoping for $750 this month.

Help if you can.

Thanks!

www.luxuryfund.org

Staggering Statistic of the week - Health Food Spending

Americans spend and estimated $5.5 Billion a year on health food and beverages.

Obviously, there is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, but think of the good we could do with one sacrifice in this area of spending. Health food ain't cheap.

Whether or not you are a health food consumer, any gift will help us get closer to our goal for the month.

If we are able to reach our goal for the month, we'll be able to give $187.50 to each of the four organizations that we support.

Can you help?

Thanks!

www.luxuryfund.org

Blood Water Mission - Video

Check out this video from Blood Water Mission. Just think, every dollar that you give provides clan drinking water for 1 African person for an entire year. Definitely worth giving up a luxury every now and then, don't you think?

100% of the money given to the Luxury Fund is given away to organizations who are helping people around the world. 25% is given to Blood Water Mission.