Black Friday is still 56 days away, and businesses are already being told to start planning their sales.

Think about the logic. Millions of businesses slash their prices on the same day to compete for shoppers who are already carrying more than $1 trillion in credit card debt.

And this happens the day AFTER Americans give thanks for everything they already have.

I have a few questions about that brilliant business strategy.

#GrandpaGrumpy #BlackFriday #BlackFridaySales #CreditCardDebt #SmallBusiness #HolidayShopping #Consumerism #ChristmasShopping #Rant

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You pay $50,000 for a new car. The cameras, sensors, computers and other equipment are already installed.

But increasingly, automakers want customers to keep paying monthly or annual subscription fees to unlock certain features.

BMW even experimented with subscriptions for heated seats before customer outrage convinced the company to back down. Yet the subscription economy continues to spread to other automotive features.

What comes next? Headlight Plus? Window Premium? Honk Unlimited?

Even worse, what happens when you try to sell a car loaded with subscription services?

When you buy a car, shouldn't you actually own ALL the features built into it?

#GrandpaGrumpy #CarSubscriptions #SubscriptionEconomy #Automotive #NewCars #CarOwners #ConnectedCars #ConsumerIssues

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What happened to the Boy Scouts?

As an Eagle Scout, I credit Scouting and the men who led my troop with helping put my life on the right track.

They taught me responsibility, leadership, practical skills and what it meant to become a man.

But, a recent encounter with Scouts selling popcorn left me wondering how much the organization has changed and whether boys today are losing something important.

Boys need opportunities to spend time with other boys while good men challenge them, encourage them and model responsible manhood.

The popcorn was never the point.

#GrandpaGrumpy #BoyScouts #Scouting #EagleScout #Mentoring #Boys #Leadership #Fatherhood #MaleMentors

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