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Greater Faith AME Zion Church presents its summer academy
PETERSBURG - The Greater Faith African American Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1301 Youngs Road, is accepting registration for its first free Training Academy. Sessions will be taught each Saturday commencing July 13 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for ages 5 and up. Participants will be taught sign language, beginners Spanish, etiquette, drama and how to play a variety of musical instruments.
The goal of the academy is to educate, invigorate, enlighten and to motivate young people to become responsible, mature and focused individuals while learning the value of diversity, and to appreciate and respect leadership and authority while becoming cognizant of their role in society and their responsibility to their community.
The sessions are endorsed by the Christian Education Department, led by Bernetta Barco. The minister of music, the Rev. Vernon (Billy) Lee, and Gail Nickelberry, coordinator of children, youth and young adult Christian ministry; Sonya Giles, assistant coordinator of children, youth and young adult ministry; and Patricia Cross, director of the academy, will coordinate the training. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. Meals will be provided.
For additional information, call the church at 804-732-5683.
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What do ticket changes at the Disneyland Resort mean for theme park fans?
Written by Robert Niles
What do the ticket changes at the Disneyland Resort mean for theme park fans?Tweet
By now, fans should have gotten used to annual price increases at Disney theme parks. Disney raised ticket and annual pass prices at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts last June, and with Disney World raising prices in February, a Disneyland increase was imminent. But let's take a closer look at the specific changes Disneyland has made, because they tell us some interesting things about how Disney's trying to change the direction of its Anaheim resort.
The big change that people are discussing is Disney's decision to suspend new sales of the Southern California Annual Pass. Disneyland offers five levels of annual passes. The cheapest level is the Southern California Select pass, which is valid for admission only on weekdays during the school year, and not during the summers and holidays. The Southern California pass is one step above that, also allowing park admission on non-summer Sundays as well as a few extra weeks of shoulder season around the summer and spring break.
As a result, many locals bought the SoCal pass and crammed the park on those non-summer Sundays. People who now have that pass may renew it (though at an increased price), but no one else can buy that pass, at least for now. If you want to get a new Disneyland annual pass, you either have to go with the more restrictive SoCal Select pass and visit on a weekday, or you need to spend more for a Deluxe or higher annual pass, which gives you the ability to visit on a Saturday instead of just on Sundays.
Of course, with a Deluxe or higher annual pass, you could visit on one of those crowded Sundays, but people who hold passes at that level know better than that. Deluxe, Platinum and Premier passholders long have known to restrict their weekend Disneyland visits to the less-crowded Saturdays, and stay away from Sundays, when the SoCal passholders crowd the parks.
With these changes, Disneyland's trying to hold non-summer Sunday crowds at their current levels, while driving new pass sales that will lead crowds to visit on other days of the week. More than that, though, the price changes at Disneyland suggest that the company is trying to further shift future growth patterns away from local day visitors and annual passholders toward out-of-market visitors buying multi-day tickets.
Take a look at the prices for those three-to-five day Disneyland Resort passports. They hardly changed, with the top increase coming in around two percent. That's just half the four percent increases for the annual passes and one-day, one-park ticket.
As we've written many times before, Disney is working to position itself as a lifestyle brand, and its ongoing changes in pricing to promote the value of multi-day visits over single-day trips at its theme parks reflects that. So why, then, would Disney discourage sales of a type of annual pass, if the company wants people to visit its parks more often?
Let's remember that Disney is not trying to reduce the number of its annual passholders. If Disney wanted to do that, it would do away with the monthly payment option on annual passes, and require customers to pay the full price up front. Pass sales would collapse! But Disney doesn't want that. It simply wants to move future sales of annual passes to its other products, instead, to alleviate the developing crowd problems on non-summer Sundays.
To do that, Disney had three options: 1) Jack up the price of SoCal passes relative to the other passes, 2) Reduce the number of days available to SoCal passholders, or 3) Stop selling new SoCal passes. Frankly, the third option — the one Disney picked — is the best one for current SoCal passholders, because it spares them from a substantial price increase on, or loss of value from, their passes.
Looking long-term, the massive demand for visiting Disneyland illustrates that Disney needs to commit to building a third gate in Anaheim, as well as adding hotel capacity at the resort. Disney is swimming in IP [intellectual property] with underutilized Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar franchises, as well as a Frozen juggernaut that could drive much more than a parade float and a character meet-and-greet. But Disney doesn't have abundant empty space upon which to build in Anaheim, and a multi-billion dollar resort rebuild and expansion isn't the sort of thing that CEOs approve on the way out the door, as Disney CEO Bob Iger is supposed to step down within the next few years.
Pricing tweaks and suspensions of AP sales can help steer Disneyland's market growth in slightly different directions in the short term, but the long-term issue remains that Disney's leaving money on the table by not expanding resort capacity in Anaheim to meet large and growing overall demand. At some point, Disney will need to move beyond these small price changes and address the big development changes needed at the Disneyland Resort.
Readers' Opinions
From O T on May 19, 2014 at 12:37 PM
This tactic worked great at WDW where it's entrance price for their most beloved park increased more then the crappy other 3. Sure they got less (less fortunate) "guests" but in the end they got more money without investing a cent (less "guests"= less work = less money spend). Why not do that on the west coast.
There is even a worst pest at that west coast, it are the "cheap" locals that take up space from wealthy "guests" without spending a lot of money. It's great Disney is getting away with these "guests", it's what Walt would have wanted, it's Disney showing it's Disney side and it's great. Not for the 99% but that precious 1% that actually deserve a Disney vacation.
From Gabriel Schroll on May 19, 2014 at 1:13 PM
I'm not familiar with the various properties surrounding DLR, but if land is scarce, what are they supposed to do? I mean, they already have their Cast Members parking far away and taking buses to work.
Does Disney own enough land for a third gate? Are there any older businesses that they could buy up and redevelop (tear down) to expand their footprint?
Opening a third gate is definitely the ideal long-term solution (as it is with Universal Orlando Resort), but the cost of more land just seems too high.
From Anon Mouse on May 19, 2014 at 2:09 PM
To build the third park, they can free up existing land currently used for the employee parking off Katella and Harbor Blvd. They should quickly build at least 2 new multi-level parking lots, 1 for employees, and 1 for guests. They own the parking space next off Harbor Blvd.
They should consider Downtown Disney and Resort Hotel expansion off the Downtown Disney flat surface parking lots. Build a second parking structure adjacent to the existing Mickey and Friends parking structure.
DCA still has expansion space left over in the remnants of the Disneyland parking lots. Why not build another land adjacent to Carsland?
Disney should consider other ticket options for locals to spread out the crowds. The AP's should not be the only way to buy the ticket for locals. Expand the existing 2 day or 3 day SoCal tickets to a 4 day summer pass. They done this in the past like at Costco. The difference with a regular 4 day pass is it can be used beyond the 14 day window since locals must still work around their weekly schedule.
From 22.214.171.124 on May 19, 2014 at 6:21 PM
Predictably, people will accuse them of doing this out of greed, but the suspension of the most popular AP is really a move to deal with overcrowding. It's ridiculous and unfair, especially for us tourists, that people paying pennies on the dollar can jam the parks for a big chunk of the year.
From 22.214.171.124 on May 20, 2014 at 3:42 AM
It seems like the price increase for non-pass holders is all in the park hopping. I think previously there was a one time $35 charge over a 1 park ticket for park hopping no matter if you bought a 5 day or one day ticket. Now park hopping is $39 total over a 1 park ticket if you buy a 2 through 5 day ticket. But if you buy a 1 day ticket park hopping is $54 more than the 1 park ticket. There must be a lot of people who go only one day and they want to go to both parks because both are so popular now so it looks like Disney is charging what they think people will pay.
The SoCAl select pass was still more than a 5 day pass, so you can still get at least one 5 day pass and go on 2 consecutive weekends with no restrictions and it would be less money than you spent before. Yes, you don't get as much value for your money, but that is what everyone in NorCal and the rest of the country face, but the SoCal residents don't face as many travel and lodging expenses. I don't think this was a money making plan where the SoCal pass is concerned as much as a crowd control measure. Since Disneyland reaches capacity on some days then in some sense you are spreading the Disney availability to more people by reducing the number of spots across many days that a relatively small number of people are taking up.
As far as the third gate suggestion, they are a for profit company so they can't really build another gate to increase capacity for annual pass holders to get more value for their money. If they build a popular third gate they'll probably charge even more for annual passes and be more restrictive with the dates because there will be more demand since it will take longer to do everything and Star Wars/Marvel have very dedicated fans (many who probably aren't Disney super fans and didn't previously hold an annual pass) who will pay a lot to be able to visit those themed worlds often. Just like they've done now that DCA is a park people actually want to go to now. They'll definitely charge more than for WDW because there are so many more people that live close enough to Disneyland to drive there vs WDW.
From David Brown on May 20, 2014 at 5:05 AM
O T's sarcasm is sad to see and does him/her no credit.
Far from the "1%" who "deserve" a Disney vacation I would venture to suggest that the percentage of vacation visitors to local visitors is nearer the opposite way around. Certainly the vast majority of guests to Disney parks tend to be tourists - those people who save their hard-earned money for a special vacation and keep vast numbers of American citizens in a job by bringing their money to the USA and spending it. If AP holders have become so numerous that they negatively affect the experience of tourists then Disney is absolutely right to move to control those numbers. There is no magic entitlement to cheap access to a Disney park just because you happen to live close by and Disney knows that the majority of its income comes from occasional or even once-in-a-lifetime visitors. They need to keep that market happy and they are moving to do just that.
I pay more than OT to visit a Disney park and experience the same attractions so why should my experience be diminished in order that OT can continue to enjoy the parks at a fraction of the cost?
From Tim Hillman on May 20, 2014 at 11:16 AM
@OT, @David Brown. I thought both of you all were from Europe? Not sure who would have to dish out more euros to come to the US to get their Disney fix, but it looks to be a close competition. As far as too many locals clogging the parks, I'm in a bit of a Disney boycott (a slowdown, actually) these days due to the slow pace of attraction development, so you're welcome to my days in the parks. ;^)
@OT. The sarcasm(?) was confusing. Care to clarify the situation? I can't figure out if I agree with you or disagree with you.
From 126.96.36.199 on May 20, 2014 at 5:20 PM
Here's another way for Disney to lighten the crowds in Anaheim and Orlando: build a 3rd Magic Kingdom resort in the USA. Disney hasn't added a Magic Kingdom in the USA since 1971. The country has added 100 million people since then. Of course the parks are going to be overcrowded.
From 184.108.40.206 on May 21, 2014 at 1:26 PM
When I went a couple of months ago I noticed an ugly empty eye sore of a lot next to the cast member parking. There were also a few run down motels there. They should just buy all of that and build a second multi story parking lot next to mickey & friends parking structure.
From 18.104.22.168 on May 21, 2014 at 3:25 PM
OMG, why are so many non SoCal residents complaining and/or bashing on SoCal residents? I respect the fact that you are frustrated with the crowds, but please don't blame us. If you hate it so much then move to SoCal so you can enjoy the experience more often. Blaming locals for your life choices is a little silly. Also, to say that out of towners are "hardworking" is also silly. Are you saying that locals aren't? When I go to Hawaii should I blame the locals for jamming up the surfing line? How about when I go skiing in Colorado, should I get pissed at locals for packing the slopes? The answer to both of those questions is a resounding no. Again, so why dump all over SoCal residents? If you don't like living in a fly over state then bring your hardworking yourself out to SoCal for a better life and/or more of what you want? That's what I did......
From Eric Fisher on May 24, 2014 at 2:31 PM
"Field of Dreams" did not quite get it right. The quote should be, "If they charge it, we will come."
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Ask the Readers: How Much Should You Spend on Self Improvement?
Published on - March 4th, 2011 (by J.D. Roth)
Ah, it's good to be home and finally getting back into something of a routine. As part of that routine, I've been reading hundreds of e-mails, including quite a few reader questions — like this one from Annie. Annie writes:
I'm 25, and starting to take personal finance seriously. I'm in graduate school, and am very fortunate to have an educational trust that allows me to do this without loans. Knowing how lucky I am, I live well below the means the trust could provide, hold an intense part-time job, and am working towards a career that will (hopefully) make sure my kids are given the same gift I was — the freedom to get the finest education they can manage without major debt.
Between my job and my trust, I have a good deal left over every month. I know I should do something productive with this money, but right now I'm mostly spending it on other stuff.
For example:
- I'm using some of the extra money for a CBT therapist.
- I bought myself a ticket to a museum gala I've always wanted to attend.
- I've decided to buy myself a massage once a month.
I don't spend a lot on clothes or waxing or anything like that, because I'd rather do other things. I rarely go out to eat. I don't have a car. I live in an unfashionable part of my city. I have no debt, and I save about $400 every month.
I think I'm doing okay, but I'm spending so much on "self improvement". Heck, right now I'm also looking at brushing up on Spanish and taking an econ class (for fun!). Plus, I'm thinking about going back to the personal trainer I had for a while to jumpstart my physical fitness.
Here's my big question: How much do people spend on "self improvement" and cultural stuff? How much becomes indulgent? Will I end up regretting all of this later? Does all this dabbling make me a trustifarian dilettante?
Leaving aside Annie's awesome financial situation (cue Napoleon Dynamite voice: "Lucky!" — I wish I could have been a trustifarian dilettante), I want to address her main question: How much should a person spend on self improvement?
I've wondered the same thing. It's no secret that I'm something of a personal-development junkie. I love reading about self improvement. More than that, I love putting what I read into practice. (Heck, there's even been a self-improvement category at GRS since day one!)
Still, I recognize that there's a lot of useless information out there. Plus, people like me are inclined to spend on self-help material…and then never act on it. (I may have read tons of books on self improvement, but I've only acted on a handful.)
Is it okay to spend on on self improvement? Absolutely. But you have to be smart about it. I give myself a little more lee-way for self-help spending — but not too much. It's as easy to spend foolishly here as anywhere else.
Here are a few rules I've made for myself to be certain I'm paying for actual personal development and not for pipe dreams:
- Focus on one thing at a time. I know from experience that it's tempting to tackle a lot of self improvement at once. This is a recipe for disaster. The more I try to change at once, the less I change at all — and the more I spend. Instead, I've learned to limit my ambitions. Just as I pursue only one resolution every new year, I try improve just one or two aspects of my life at a time. Otherwise, I end up spending a lot of money to do nothing.
- Pursue your goals. I want to do everything. I want to speak fifteen languages, play a dozen sports, fly an airplane, and sail a boat. But some of these things are just daydreams. Why do I want to fly an airplane? Instead, it makes more sense to spend my time and money on improving things that help me meet my goals. Since I want to travel, for example, I really should learn a language or two. And because I want to lose weight, it's great to spend on a gym. But as much as it appeals to me, there's no point in paying for woodworking classes or power tools. Sure, I'd love to make my own furniture, but that doesn't really mesh with my long-term plans.
- If you don't use it, stop paying for it. A lot of spending on self improvement is based on wishful thinking. We sign up for a gym, promising that we'll go every day. Then we only go once, but we keep paying. This is foolish. Know yourself. Signing up for a gym won't make you fit. Paying for a computer class won't teach you programming. You still have to put in the time and effort. If you see you're not doing this, ditch them. (And don't worry about sunk costs.)
Also, it's important not to delude yourself. In general, a massage is not a self-improvement expense; it's a luxury. There's nothing wrong with indulging in luxuries now and then, but don't pretend they're something they're not. (I got my first massage two or three years ago because my doctor prescribed it as part of my physical therapy — I had a running injury — but subsequent massages are luxuries, pure and simple. If only there weren't a massage therapist in the office next door…)
But to get back to Annie's question: How much do you spend on self improvement and cultural activities? I'm not sure what's normal, and I'm curious to hear what GRS readers have to say. (I suspect answers will vary widely.) Kris and I don't spend a whole lot on cultural stuff (except for when we travel), but I probably spend a few hundred dollars a year on self improvement: books, classes, computer programs, and so on.
What about you? Do you pay for personal development? What sorts of things do you buy? How much do you spend? Which costs are worth it, and which are not? What rules have you developed to be sure you're not wasting your money? What advice can you give Annie about deciding which expenses are worthwhile?
This article is about Ask the Readers, Self-Improvement
Just as most discussions end up here, moderation is probably the best option. My fiance and i do crossfit, i play in a few volleyball leagues, and my fiance rides horses. All of these are things that we enjoy. We cut back in other areas SO we can do the things we want and not feel guilty. We got rid of cable, we don't go out to eat or to the bar often, and we stay in to watch movies instead of going to the movie theater. This allows us to save a bunch for our upcoming wedding, still remove some debt each month, and once the weddings over in May, we'll be able to save towards a honeymoon in Thailand over Christmas and a 2nd car.
The emailer is working a part time job and busting her ass to do things that she values in her life. I think we should use her as a model and applaud her.
I don't think the question should be, "How much should I spend?"; it's, "How much should I have left each month?"
You stated that you only have about $400 left at the end of each month. Well, unless you have a rather large emergency fund saved up, I would advise that you spend much less and allow yourself at least $500 extra per month in the event that something catastrophic happens. Make sure that you have some money stashed away as well.
CBT is worth every penny for a graduate student. Fortunately it is also a therapy of finite duration (usually 6 weeks), and should not be a permanent drain.
My big worry reading your list is *time* not money. What kind of graduate program are you at that is allowing you to pursue all of these activities (specifically two additional unrelated classes on top of a part-time job) and still get a degree? I would worry either about the quality of the program or at your speed of finishing. Are you sure this is putting you on the path of future prosperity? Would you be better off trying to get into a higher ranked program? Or finishing sooner? Or getting a full-time job?
It sounds like Annie is young and just wants to explore different things that she's interested in–I think it's the perfect time to do it. She doesn't have a lot of other expenses, she's not going into debt, and she's able to put money away at the end of the month. In my book, she's already 80% ahead of the general population at this stage in her life.
Obviously, times will change, trusts will end, expenses will creep up, etc…so expectations will need to be adjusted as she moves forward in her life. But for now–I say go for it!
I think it's incredibly important to invest in yourself, but obviously not as the only way you spend your extra money (I support giving it away too). I don't have a set goal, but I usually try to spend about 5% of my income. Most of this goes towards buying books for pleasure reading, buying experiences (like travel or skydiving, which I'm doing in April), and spending it on other people (like taking someone out to lunch who I value). Not everything we spend is going to give us an physical return on investment, but the more seeds you plant today, the more you open up to the opportunity to grow in the future.
Annie is young (25). As Warren Buffet says (paraphrasing), investing in yourself is the best investment. So I think she should not hesitate to (reasonably) invest in herself. This is a great opportunity to "buy stock" in something valuable early on! Stock market watchers would kill for this opportunity!
The line is a little blurry between self-improvement and luxuries. Determining what is which is the tricky part. For example, improving one's health through diet and exercise is an almost guaranteed way to improve many aspects of your life, so if you can afford it there's no reason not to invest in one's self here (although I'd argue neither should be that expensive).
But what about something like learning a language? Being able to converse with foreigners is nice, but is it really advancing your goals in life? On the flip side, I could argue that the exercise it gives your brain (and the neural pathways it creates) could vastly improve your cognitive abilities and help you reach your goals. So, which is it?
Massages and museum galas are a little harder to justify, but one could probably argue for them as well. I think in these cases you should be honest and budget them as entertainment / luxuries.
Does anyone have a quick and dirty test for what is a valid investment in yourself and what is a luxury?
Annie wouldn't even be asking this question if she were Parisian. Americans have a very utilitarian bent that tends to undervalue "luxuries" like art and culture. I think it's sad to only focus on things that will help us meet goals or improve our financial standing. If Annie can afford it and feels comfortable with her decisions, I tell her to enjoy it.
I would, however, suggest that she consider giving to others as part of her self-improvement budget. Sharing her time or money with a cause that's important to her will bring as much enrichment to her life as art, or therapy, or a massage.
I spend about $500 on my self each month for "self development". In fact, this pays for a country club membership that I really enjoy. Here's why I consider that to be self development spending for me:
– I'm a commercial banker, and golfing with customers is so I have to do a lot. I need a lot of practice.
– Along the same lines as point #1, it helps to have a nice place to take my customers to play.
– I consider it great experience to have frequent interaction with "country club people". They are typically small business and corporate executives. These are exactly the people I am trying to network with and get as future customers.
– I really enjoy golfing, and having ready access to play any time I want without it being crowded is wonderful for my mental health.
– The club has a nice dining facility and swimming facility, both of which my wife loves. This definitely enhances the relationship between me and my wife.
$500 per month seems a small price to pay for all that.
The fine line between luxury and self improvement is difficult to see. I disagree that massage is a luxury- to some. The importance of touch and time to let your mind wander is very important.
No, I do not get massages- but my dad did once a week. He came back to work completely ready to roll. He did not go to gyms for workouts- but walked a great deal.
A museum gala is more difficult to justify unless the graduate degree is in art history and she is looking for a position in the museum later.Joining the museum is more understandable.
Basically, I am assuming she was brought up upper middle class and these (therapy, massage and galas) are a part of her culture. If she lands a big money job they can continue. If she turns out to land something like the majority of the middle class- she needs to drop these in order to save so she can give her children the chance at what she has- even if she was brought up French.
This may be overly picky, but I disagree with the statement that massage is (or is pretty much always) a luxury. I get massages on a monthly basis to release the muscles in my shoulders and back, because I'm a bit of a stress case, and otherwise I get muscle spasms and migraines. The massages are a monthly expense that allow me to avoid greater problems (missing work, for example) down the road.
So yes, she may be getting a "relaxation rubdown" that doesn't have therapeutic value – but the massages may also be directly contributing to her physical wellbeing. Much less of a luxury in that case.
I think a lot of the "self-improvement" activities discussed in this post are great investments. Therapy is typically in my "needs" and not "wants" category and is something I consider to be a fantastic investment. The person who knows him/herself is infinitely better equipped in so many different ways than the person who does not. (Full disclosure: I'm a bit biased on this, as I am a therapist also.) Learning another language is also an excellent idea. This is an area in which most Americans fall painfully short. In many other areas, people do not have the luxury of being able to speak one language only. I say go for it. The museums and massages and all are a tougher call. Personally, I'd do those less often but would not cut them out entirely. But ultimately, this is a very personal choice.
I think the benefits of massage are being undervalued here. I am also a grad student and, being in the sciences, get paid to earn my degree. Every 6 weeks or so I get a deep tissue massage because I've got pretty knotty muscles that hydration, yoga, and post-run stretching alone don't take care of. I consider it worth the expense to minimize long-term injury from running and the day-to-day pain I experience otherwise. Too many people that could really benefit from massage don't do them because they are seen as a "luxury" instead of a health expense, particularly in American culture.
"Self improvement" has a connotation of indulgence, but in the case of Annie, I can see smart, practical advantages to almost all of her choices.
1. CBT therapy. Good therapy at a young age can have a huge beneficial impact on every future life decision.
2. The museum gala may be an extravagance, but if it's a one-time deal, not a repeated act, I don't have a problem with it.
3. I'm not a massage person myself, but my friends who are say it's an incredible de-stressor and worth every penny. Annie could check out local massage schools who often offer reduced prices for a student massage.
4. Spanish. Brushing up on Spanish is not just fun, it's also extremely practical, given that the number of Spanish-dominant speakers in the U.S. are projected to increase by 45% in the next 15 years. Mastery of Spanish may increase her marketability.
5. Studying Econ– learning about economics and finance once again seems very helpful. I wish I had known more about economics when I was in my 20s.
6. Hiring a physical trainer. I'm a big believer that investing in personal health and fitness is a wise use of funds. She could try it on a short-term basis to make sure she uses the trainer.
None of these expenses strikes me as foolish or overly indulgent. In fact all of them (other than the museum gala) seem like they will enhance her in very practical ways.
I think I'm doing okay, but I'm spending so much on "self improvement". Heck, right now I'm also looking at brushing up on Spanish and taking an econ class (for fun!). Plus, I'm thinking about going back to the personal trainer I had for a while to jumpstart my physical fitness.
She is supposed to be a Graduate Student, shouldn't she be spending her time working on Graduating?
I spent a fair amount on CBT as a grad student.
What surprises me was that you mentioned being a grad student and paying for an econ class. I guess you're a professional student? If you're getting a masters or PhD, you can usually just ask to sit in on a class. Mostly, though, I'm wondering why you want to take a class v. read the best books and papers from the syllabus and watch choice lectures online. Training myself not to take classes and to teach myself was a large part of my graduate education…
…though I did receive, as a Christmas present, some art classes involving equipment I can't otherwise get access to. I don't consider it self-improvement, though.
p.s. I also don't understand the point of taking a formal Spanish class. It's an easy language, so you can teach yourself and practice with someone off of CL. Sometimes I feel that by going to classes, I'm purposely copping out b/c I'm going at a slower rate than I would on my own. The class gives me a false sense of accomplishment. YMMV. Some classes are worth it if they're taught by amazing professors, but I think intro classes can be a waste of time and money.
@David, who asked how to distinguish between "a valid investment in yourself and … a luxury." This is just asking for all kinds of normative b.s. Who's to say how much you "deserve" to "invest" in yourself? What does that even mean when millions of people don't and have never had access to clean water or a basic education, and you've grown up thinking you can mostly get what you want, as long as you "work hard" and pay for it?
I would disagree that a massage is a luxury. If she is talking about a relaxing day at the spa, yes it is. If she is talking about deep tissue massage that helps with flexibility and back pain, then no. At her age, she probably doesn't have problems, but later in life, a massage is a great investment in health. No, I'm not a massage therapist, just a woman who is so grateful to have found a therapist 10 years ago.
I do not have the "quick and dirty" test you requested and I can offer a different perspective about what qualifies as a luxury or a valid investment in oneself.
I view massage as vital to my on-going good health and not a luxury. Eight years ago I opted to get a massage once per month. I rarely catch a cold or get sick. I am a teacher and work round hundreds of adults and children daily. I attribute much of my good health to massage.
On the other hand, after working with a personal trainer, I dropped my gym membership. Most of the exercises she built into my plan involved hand weights, a ball, and riding the exercise bike for cardio. I purchased my own hand weights, ball, and began substituting hiking on local trails for riding the bike and it works for me.
I don't think there is a one-size fits all test to differentiate between a luxury and a tool for personal growth/improvement. In my own life I try to make intentional choices, have some way to measure the "bang for the buck" and work within my budget.
Since I live in a foreign country (Poland), I'd say the language classes are important to improving yourself. I know I've changed since living here, but Americans are terribly "English centered" and self-centered in the area of language. Learning Spanish should make you more marketable and it is too bad that all schools don't require more language skills just to graduate.
Here in Poland they consider English a part of the educational system and a requirement as part of a basic education and not "self-improvement" any more than learning History and Science are.
Massage and gym and all the rest? If you've got the money…and feel comfortable with it…go for it. You're keeping the economy going and if everyone cut them, all those massage therapists and gyms would go out of business. How good would that be?
I have to agree with Becky P. about the importance of learning a second language. Not only are Americans English-centric, so many Americans care nothing about what happens outside our borders. Learnign more about the culture of people from different backgrounds, and the viewpoints of other countries, can only broaden the poster's mind. Additionally, there is so much research about the cognitive benefits of speaking more than one languages, particularly in old age.
$400 a month is a lot of money. Give some $ to worthy cause/charity, it will make you feel a better person. Travel to a poor country so you can see how $400 can help an village/town. Not only it will change your life but you can change other children's life as well.
The only self-improvement that I do for myself is go to the gym. That cost is included in our HOA fees. I don't color my hair or even cut it. My husband trims it for me every few years. I buy make-up ever five years or so (sad, but true). I do buy clothing once a year. We don't go out to eat. I think self-improvement is great and feel that if anyone can afford it and enjoys it, why not? Massage, salon visits, nail appointments, all of that. If you feel better about yourself from it, then it's a plus. I enjoy dealing with the public (I'm in retail) when they are in a good mood!
This strikes me as a wonderful problem to have – would that we all could be guiltily rich in grad school!
Perhaps rather than thinking in terms of what is OK for "self-improvement" or "luxuries" or whatever, maybe it is easier to set benchmarks for neccessities (saving X% for long-term goals; X% for short-term goals; etc.) and then the rest of the money can be spent on whatever you want.
And I might suggest, given that the government doesn't think the wealthy ought to share equitably, consider setting aside X% for charitable giving in some capacity. If the Libertarians are going to run the government, at least prove them right that the wealthy will use their money in ways that will benefit the rest of us!
For all of you arguing against the arts as self improvement, think again. Art (making, viewing, etc.) promotes the following:
-critical thinking
-active learning
-creative problem solving
Wouldn't you want to have those skills to apply to the rest of your life– maybe the personal finance side of your life?
And, Pamela (#7) has a point. In education, math and science are promoted here– arts are the first to be cut. I feel the "utilitarian" lens is an accurate description.
Lastly, "Kris and I don't spend a whole lot on cultural stuff". I know that you spend less on comic books now, J.D., but do you not consider them cultural stuff or art?
Full disclosure: I am an artist and was an art educator for several years
Would the museum gala count as giving? Aren't those at least nominally fundraisers? I see no problem with supporting local nonprofits occasionally – it's good for the whole community.
We're both grad students living on a shoestring and we still strive to support causes and organizations that matter to us, including museums, when we can. So I think supporting a local museum could possibly fit in the "giving" category.
I have another mostly-broke grad student friend who buys season tickets to the opera every year. She basically lives on lentils and rice to do so, but it gives her great pleasure and supports the local arts.
I also find the commentary from people who wonder why she has free time at all to be a little vexing. In many graduate programs there exists that long, slow slog called a thesis or dissertation. Some kind of outside interest is imperative to keep from losing your mind.
A great question, and one that my husband and I have struggled with. Similar to what J.D. suggests, we've identified the things that are important to us and built our self-improvement splurges around those. For example, our health and fitness are very important to us. We're Crossfit athletes, and that's not cheap, but the results are worth it. However, TV in no way fits into our long-term goals so we've never paid for cable (and probably never will).
I've found there are often more price-effective ways to reach your end goal. I won't give up my Crossfit classes, but I've found that I can barter for part of my monthly fee (dropping my costs by $30/month!). Can you find a Spanish tutor and barter for those services? Or create a Spanish club? Or maybe just find some Spanish-speaking friends?
I guess the bottom line is that I'm always looking for more cost-effective ways to fund our lifestyle choices. And also recognized that there are times to "pass" on an opportunity, even if you can afford it.
I've spent years pouring money into my kids' self improvement — violin lessons, ballet, dance lessons, you name it. Now that they are older (18 and 13) I've noticed all this has slowed down dramatically, and I'm saving money on their "extracurricular" activities. But I'm also beginning to realize that now I can afford some self-improvement for myself! Ah, the benefits of getting older! I'm taking horseback riding lessons and a foreign language class. All relatively inexpensive ($20 each horse lesson, 2x a month and $90 for a 10 week Portuguese language lesson in our community education program). Before I didn't have time — but now these little perks have really made all the difference for me!
Do It. As Much As Possible. NOW. Because when you have a husband and those little ones you are hoping for, you will likely not have the time, energy, interest, and/or money for it. I know – I'm living it.
In my 30s, I pursued all sorts of personal growth activities – two graduate degrees, reading, non-degree-related classes, therapy, workshops. After I married, I became an instant mother to a 5-year-old boy. I've taken one class in 11 years (and that was about living trusts, not personal growth!). Reading has become a vacation-only task. If there's any extra time at the end of the day or money at the end of the month, the family's needs take precedence, not my personal interests.
I'm not saying I regret any of this or wish it had been different. I'm saying that our life changes as we move through it — fully embrace where you're at to the extent you are able.
These are the years and activities that will shape the person you are. Another way to look at it is that the more you grow personally, the more you will have to offer to the small lives you hope to nurture one day.
I second the notion that one should not spend on more than one self improvement/personality development item at a time. It spreads you think, shows little progress. I think the following areas are absolutely important as life skills:
1. Critical thinking
2. Negotiation skills
3. Personal productivity
4. Speed reading
and anything else that helps you learn better and faster.
In all, you can't rely on personal development books and products to provide you with all of ideas. Solutions that one must devise for oneself – practices and habits that will work for you, possibly only for you.
As a marketer, I tend to view spending money on self-improvement in terms of ROI (return on investment). My one question is: for every dollar spent, how many will I get in return?
While it's not always easily measurable, you can guesstimate things like getting a massage by figuring out how much more productive and enjoyable your life is with one vs without one.
My general rule of thumb is:
ROI = 10x (as in, every $1 I spend returns $10) is the bare minimum
20x should be average
100x is exceptional
It's not about how much money you should spend, it's how much value you're going to get.
Some people have mentioned the Spanish class being unnecessary. They say buy a book, buy a less expensive program, or do some other cheaper option. However, if learning how to speak the language as fast as possible, or learning as much of the language as possible is your main goal, a good class will always outdo a book or do-it-yourself program. Make sure you measure such things when you're thinking about ROI.
To finish the Spanish class analogy:
$30 gets you a learn to speak Spanish program and nothing else.
$500 gets you a class, an experiences teacher, classmates to learn with, practice with, and encourage each other, and most importantly, it FORCES you to learn the language. All things you cannot easily replace without spending a considerable amount of time or money.
Good luck!
JD made the point I was going to make – don't confuse spending money on self-improvement classes, books, DVDs or equipment as actual self-improvement. You probably shouldn't even talk about your plans!
I also agree with the other Louisa, #13, about the museum gala and for me that applies to other stuff too – if it's a one time/fixed short term thing, don't beat yourself up about it as much. Obviously there is the risk you'll get addicted to museum galas but there is a stronger possibility you'll get it out of your system for now.
Languages are always useful and I personally would also recommend taking any classes that will interest you — but keep in mind what comes off as "interested & knowledgeable in a wide range of subjects" to some people (like me), may come off as unfocused to other people.
Personally, I think that what you are doing is awesome. You want to put yourself in a strong enough financial situation that you can put your own kids through college? That's awesome. And the personal development — particularly the cultural and CBT investments will help you grow as a person, meaning you'll have more to share with your kids when you have them. I think a lot of people fail to realize that once you settle down and have a family, you no longer have the time and money to grow. A lot of people (not all, but a lot) stop growing as people once they settle down, so take the chance while you have it! Also, try to do things that will have longer-term effects — if you learn yoga (for example) well enough to practice on your own, you will have something you can use to relax and get centered when you are shorter on time and money in the future.
In my experience, investing in yourself pays back, whether in increased self-confidence, friends, or a job where that off-beat skill turns out to be the thing that makes you stand out from the crowd.
However. As some people pointed out – time. Don't try to do everything. Pick what you want and do that well rather than doing lots of things a little. Also, look at discount/free ways of investing (e.g. books from the library, student discounts, free online courses/lectures such as iTunesU)
As a graduate student, I find it really important to find money in my budget for "self improvement" or stress reducing activities.
For me, this involves a gym membership (I do not like working out at the campus gym), a climbing gym membership and investing in good quality running shoes. I get occasional massages since I'm prove to storing all my stress in my neck and shoulders causing severe tension headaches. I buy books that have nothing to do with what I study so I can read for pleasure, an activity I've always loved. I'm willing to spend money on fresh fruit and vegetables all year long. I haven't taken language classes, but it's something I've thought about.
While I agree that supporting charities is a worthwhile cause, as a graduate student my income is so low, that any extra money I have I save and invest. I don't know how much money I'll have a year from now. I do give $20 here and there to support friends and colleagues. I look forward to a time when I can donate more freely
I've recently realized that for me, true self-improvement involves time rather than money. Ie. time spent in church, reading spiritual writings, and volunteering.
That being said, I spend $69/month on my gym membership (and actually use it) and have been buying more books than usual since the nearest branch of my public library closed for renovations. I also donate about $20 a month to my church.
EDIT: For the record, I did try to find a way to phrase the first paragraph without sounding like a holier-than-thou jack@ss. It's just that I spent years and a lot of money trying to make myself happy and failed spectacularly. Then I found a spiritual practice and community that taught me to focus outwards rather than inwards and I'm a lot better off for it.
I think personal development is one of the crucial investments in life JD. Yes have a pension, yes buy property, but yes also invest in who you are as YOU are your own major asset. Your not worth-less if you don't but you are price-less if you do. Delve inside and discover the diamonds naturally shining. Just make sure you don't spend all your time trying and tasting and no time starting and evolving.
I applaud Annie for deciding to spend money on CBT, massage therapy, and a museum gala. Graduate school can be really stressful, and it is important to take care of your health and also find ways to have fun outside of school. As a recent graduate school student, I can attest to this, and I wish I had been better about taking care of myself. I wish I had gotten regular massages (and worked out more) during school- I would be in less pain now. I am getting them on a regular basis now anyway! Massage is actually considered a form of alternative or complementary medicine and has been found to be helpful in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, pain, and stiffness. It also improves blood and lymph circulation, boosts immunity, and more. Some insurance providers cover massage and you can always go to a massage therapy school for a cheaper massage.
I'd say throw everything you got at it. If "self-improvement" means you become a more educated, more productive, wiser and saner person, I'd put no caps on it, provided that you are meeting your responsibilities, avoiding debt, and saving for the future.
Therapy is the best education I ever got. I got it free as a health benefit while being a TA in gradschool. I learned a lot more in therapy than in gradschool. Go for it! A clear mind is a priceless asset.
As a small business owner (*micro* business really), I get to deduct education as a business expense, because it is understood that I need to keep up with developments in my field or I'll become the next beeper salesman.
One thing I'd say though: while general knowledge adds a lot of dimension to your life, it does not usually impact directly on income generation– specialized knowledge does that. I know many broke human encyclopaedias. So make sure that you don't lose sight of your professional goals when you spend on self-improvement.
Speaking Spanish is nice (I do since I was a baby), but is it something you do for fun or is something you will use for work, e.g., do you do international business or are you planning to work in Latin America?
You can go to the museum for free during the day (well, depending on where you live). A museum gala is not self-improvement unless it's for networking in your professional field. If it's not, it's just a party. Fancy party, but a party nevertheless, but with the danger that it could catapult you into the ranks of the aspirational rich–unless you're already loaded. I suggest reading The Millionaire Next Door and Stop Acting Rich for a good look at this. And also read Thorsten Veblen's "The Theory of the Leisure Class", which is a hilarious (and scary) book that relates very much to this subject.
Re: massage. Yes! I love massages but can't always afford the spa version. They are great for your well-being. There are alternatives to the fancy version– you can get massage discounts through some health insurance plans, for example, and you can get them at clinics. My wife and I do the cheap version: we bought a massage book and learned. We're not as skilled as a pro but it's still very nice!
About the Spanish classes: while in grad school I taught Spanish to undergrads. I think college language instruction is a racket. There are much better places to learn a language than in college– the best one is to travel and enroll in a school abroad. You'll practice 24/7 (yes, you'll start to dream in Spanish). There are also language schools where people are highly motivated and groups are kept small (e.g. Berlitz, etc.). College classes involve large groups of people who practice with themselves instead of being one-on-one with a teacher.
Besides, undergrads are largely a spoiled unruly bunch who want to get an A for as little work as possible– yes, I did love my students, they were nice kids, and I did my best to teach them, but I know a good chunk of them was not mature enough to take their education seriously, they just went through the motions.
Also, since they were all English speakers, they immediately defaulted to speaking English when not compelled to do otherwise. They don't walk out of class speaking Spanish– they switch to English and quickly forget Spanish exists.
It's best to go deep and learn among native speakers who don't speak your language. In spite of years of English lessons in my country of birth (I knew how to put together a sentence in the past perfect and developed a nice vocabulary), I didn't really speak English until I came to US and started working in a bar… oh, drinking in another language will get your linguistic engines firing on all cylinders for sure–minus the loss in IQ points due to the booze, but still…
I disagree that a massage is a luxury. I suffered a shoulder injury years ago that cannot be surgically fixed. I used to have massages every week to get the pain under control and now I have one every month or so. If I miss a month I can feel the tightness return and severe pain will soon follow. Thankfully insurance covers most of it but not all massages are luxuries.
Being Italian and having graduated in Foreign Languages, I know how different it is to learn a language similar to your own or not. My experience: I know English very well, read lots of books in the original version etc and I frequently revise translations as a job, but I feel like I'm still learning. English, for Italian speakers, is not only a difficult language but a whole new frame of mind, that's why so many people don't go further than a "tourist" level. On the contrary, French I've never been so keen about, I rarely read books in original – and yet when I have to revise a French translation it's easy-peasy.
Ok, all this to say that I agree: English speakers should learn Spanish with a teacher.
I think any money invested in yourself is money well spent. Of course you can always go overboard as with anything in life, but if you have the extra funds to do it, there's not much better way to spend money than in things that will enrich and reward your hard work.
Some personal fitness hobbies are very expensive (cycling for example is a great hobby for personal fitness, but can easily break your bank if you want the best gear). Again, just keeping it within moderation, if these things make you a better/happier/healthier person, you can't always measure the intangible differences it makes in your life and your career.
I think we are losing perspective on the definition of a true luxury. If we go back to the very basic personal finance concept of distinguishing between costs that are needs and those that are wants, I think it is very simple to see that something such as a massage is certainly a want and not a need. Needs are things we must have to survise, whereas wants are purely luxuries. I am confident anyone can survive without a massage. I am in a similar position as the young lady asking the question (1st degree earned without loans, working full-time making decent salary, attending grad school part-time, and still with money left over to save). I have never had a massage in my entire life. To each, his own, but let's not confuse massages with things we need.
I need regular massage because of the stress my work puts on specific muscle groups. It comes under the heading "an ounce of prevention". My massage therapist is my hero! We have a massage therapy school nearby (where he is also an instructor) where you can go for discount massages with students under supervision; I'm not sure how readily available that is for most folks.
I take Tai Chi classes twice a week – run by volunteers, so the fee is a mere $26/month, and my husband and I take ballroom dancing lessons weekly plus group classes – great physical AND mental exercise, and good relationship building/social angle. Our membership – for both of us – is about $150 a month, and it's money fabulously spent.
I work in the arts, so I tend to go to a lot of arts events, but for me, it is a partial tax writeoff, so I can easily justify it. I would agree with an earlier poster that North Americans underappreciate the impact the arts can play in their lives and in our culture as a whole. If more of us participated, I think we would be healthier for it; just my personal opinion.
Personal trainers are great, but a more budget friendly option is a group training class. The work-outs in bootcamp-style classes are usually progressive, and you get more attention from the instructor than you would in a typical gym class. I took a kettle bell class at the Y this winter: it really helped me reach my fitness goals, while staying on my budget.
I evaluate self-improvement expenses by how much use I get from them. A massage leaves me feeling good for days. I use my gym regularly. The gardening class that I never prepped for and the ukulele that I never play (though affordable) were not great investments.
The only "self improvement" item I indulge in is my gym membership – something I use 4-5 days out of the week. Because I have MS – weight training, cardio, Yoga, etc is almost a requirement for me to stay mobile, flexible, fit and healthy. I also have insulin resistance so exercise (as well as diet) is a must. Not having it is not an option for my health and well-being.
Annie's question is fascinating. It gets back to values. And while it's good to get other people's feedback on your choices and what is worth it, in the end this is Your life and these are Your choices to make.
My husband and I used to make it a point to attend one live music event every month. Before we had children we took tango lessons together and went dancing at least once a week.
And before we even met, both of us spent time and money partying and socializing in Washington, DC (although in very different social worlds – he was in the art scene while I was hanging out with diplomats, politicians and journalists.) Even partying can be self-improvement if you're socializing with people who can improve your career. The country club membership mentioned above is a good example of this.
Just like JD and a few others mentioned, though, you can't spread yourself too thin. If you are pursuing a graduate degree and a part-time job, one self-improvement or extra-curricular activity is probably enough.
(And that advice goes even – perhaps especially – for professional party-goers )
The amount you should spend? Not very much.
Personal improvement is done via experience and hard work. You can't out-source it and pay other people to do it for you.
You want to run a five-minute mile? Maybe joining a gym will help, or hiring a trainer, but mostly *you're going to have to do a lot of running*.
I remember reading an interview with a successful small sailboat racer, and someone asked him what he does to get so fast. His answer?
"Time in the boat."
You want to be better? Practice. It's inexpensive in almost every endeavor that you might try and improve at. Practice.
This is a timely post, since I am in the midst of a ten-week self-improvement period. I set this in motion for three reasons: the excesses of the holidays left me feeling bad, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer and I had to fly east to help her through surgery (she is fine, all clear!), which resulted in me self-medicating with sweets and red wine to alleviate stress, and I was just feeling generally lost and dissatisfied.
I already go to a Crossfit gym but I pre-paid for 20 one-on-one sessions with my favorite trainer, 2 per week for 10 weeks. I pre-paid for 10 massages, one per week. I met with a dietitian and tweaked my diet. I eliminated alcohol completely for one month. I started volunteering one day per week at my local food bank, handing out food and stocking shelves.
Because I pre-paid for the training and massages, I got a big discount, but it was still a lot of money to hand over. I pulled it away from other things I was saving for (car, and travel). I don't regret it a bit. I'm seeing and feeling results and I feel much more focused. The thing that's probably made the biggest difference, however, is volunteering at the food bank, which costs me nothing. It feels so good to be of use in such a tangible way, and it also keeps my day-to-day problems in perspective. I am reminded how fortunate I am, and it makes me more grateful for what I have. (Less wasteful, too.)
Last year I took a 9-month fiction writing course through a university extension. I work in a creative field so I was able to get my employer to cover the costs. It was a three-hour class every Wednesday night; definitely a time commitment, and a bit out of my comfort zone, but it was the best thing I've done in years! I've also taken Italian and Spanish and would like to jump back into that.
I have never regretted a single thing I've done in the name of self-improvement. I think the key is actually DOING it, not just signing up and not following through (gym memberships are the prime example).


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A few more showers are possible tonight and again Wednesday. Keep your outdoor plans, as the showers will be light and few and far between. A cold front approaches the Metro Area Friday.


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The Blue Sky Snow Globe makes the perfect gift for that Breaking Bad fan in your life! The worldwide Firebox exclusive item features Walt and Jesse's iconic rolling meth lab RV and blue flakes. Shake it to engulf the RV in bliz...


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Police in Macomb County say a 63-year-old man faces up to four years in prison after he threatened neighbors with a firearm and triggered a brief standoff outside his Mt. Clemens apartment.Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham says Danny Harless pointed a gun at neighbors Tuesday morning following an argument near his home on Clinton River Drive at Beyne St. Harless then retreated back into his apartment.The Macomb Co. S.W.A.T. team was called to the scene and made entry to the apartment where Harless was found "passed out." He was apprehended and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.Harless was then transferred to the Macomb Co. jail where he is being held on a $300,000 bond.He faces three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and faces a maximum penalty of 4 years in prison and a $2,000 fine.
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Reviews (Nikon V1, J1, etc) & Previews (Noktor 12/1.6, E-PM1, GRD4)
And now time to check some of the latest reviews and previews. The latest samples are rounded up separately in order to keep the posts at a readable size...
SLR Gear Noktor 12mm 1.6 action
+ two real-world video tests with Panasonic GH2 (daytime and night-time) by Seb Barges via Mu-43 forums
+ hands-on with lens at Steve Huff Photo
dSLR Cameras
+ distilled findings on Sony A77 RAW image quality at Alpha Mount World
Mirrorless Cameras
+ Nikon V1 at ePhotozine and Fotopolis.pl (computer- translatese)
+ Nikon J1 at ePhotozine
+ Olympus E-PM1 preview at dpreview
Halloween Special - the Skeleton actually works!
+ ...according to the computer-transation at DC Watch [the Panasonic M43rds PZ (powerzoom) lenses shown in "skeleton" form at the CEATAC 2011 trade show in Japan]
Fixed Lens Cameras
+ Panasonic FZ150 superzoom at Digital Camera Info
+ Nikon Coolpix AW100 elementproof at DC Watch de la Impress (computer-translatese) - with ISO Bunny!!!
+ Nikon Coolpix S1200pj (with built-in projector) at CNet UK
+ Pentax WG-1 elementproof creature at Imaging Resource
+ Casio Tryxie (TR100) at Photography Blog
+ Ricoh GRD IV preview at DC Watch (computer-transletese)
Review Streams
+ completed camera reviews of advanced/enthusiast/intriguing models
+ completed lens reviews including new looks at the Olympus 45mm f1.8, Zeiss Z-SLR lenses, etc


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From the Publisher
"This is a magnificent biography. Hugh Brogan's knowledge of the details of Tocqueville's life is extraordinary, as is his erudite account of his family life and of French politics and society in the first half of the nineteenth century. And how splendidly the book is written! Tocqueville's life was marked by a triumph of character; Hugh Brogan's biography is a triumph of history and letters."—John Lukacs


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day 18: something i made.
well, first i made myself late for the bus. so all i could do was sit & wait. hehe. people watch & such. later on in the day, i made a paper origami crane. never done that before. it took a while, but i got it. i'm not really an arts & crafts kinda girl, but, spending time with my love doing japanese paper art was pretty cool. hope your friday has been good. welcome to the weekend! peace.
Categories: instagram, sweden • Tags: art, beautiful things., bird, Bus, crafts, crane, create, friday, instagram, japan, japanese art, late, my love., origami, paper, photoadayMay, red, the blog, toms shoes, wait, weekend


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Cigars in France
Jan 21, 2014 -
Euromonitor International
- 30 pages - USD $900
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In France, cigars and cigarillos are usually consumed after a meal or during social gatherings among friends. Traditionally, the majority of smokers of cigars and cigarillos in France are older males. While cigars tend to be consumed on special occasions, such as at family reunions and weddings, the smaller size of cigarillos allows consumers to smoke them during a short break, something that has become more important since the smoking ban. The average per capita consumption of cigars and cigarillos in France ranks above the European average, at almost 23 units per person per year.
Competitive Landscape
In 2012, the overall cigars category in France remained rather concentrated due to a merger between Swedish Match and Scandinavian Tobacco Group, with the new entity Scandinavian Tobacco accounting for 31% of cigar volume sales in 2012. Its leading position stemmed from the good performance of its key Café Crème and La Paz brands, which held volume shares of 15% and 9%, respectively. Altadis ranked second in the cigars category in 2012. Its main brands (Ninas, Fleur de Savane and Havanitos) showed a stable performance.
Industry Prospects
Sales of cigars and cigarillos in France are expected to continue to decline in retail volume terms over the forecast period by a CAGR of 1% due to the gloomy economic environment as well as declining purchasing power. Cigar smokers are likely to buy economy products or cigarillos in order to save money. That said, some cigar aficionados are likely to continue to buy premium cigars and limited editions, but less frequently than before.
Report Overview
Discover the latest market trends and uncover sources of future market growth for the Cigars industry in France with research from Euromonitor's team of in-country analysts.
Find hidden opportunities in the most current research data available, understand competitive threats with our detailed market analysis, and plan your corporate strategy with our expert qualitative analysis and growth projections.
If you're in the Cigars industry in France, our research will save you time and money while empowering you to make informed, profitable decisions.
The Cigars in France market research report includes:
Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
Detailed segmentation of international and local products
Historic volumes and values, company and brand market shares
Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
Robust and transparent market research methodology, conducted in-country
Our market research reports answer questions such as:
What is the market size of Cigars in France?
What are the major brands in France?
What are the main distribution channels for cigars in France and which are performing well?
What is the proportion of hand-made versus machine manufactured cigars in France?
Reasons to Get this Report
Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
Euromonitor International
January 2014
Hand-made Vs Machine Manufactured Splits
Competitive Landscape
New Product Developments
Summary 1 Cigars - New Product Launches
Category Data
Table 1 Sales of Cigars by Category: Volume 2007-2012
Table 2 Sales of Cigars by Category: Value 2007-2012
Table 3 Sales of Cigars by Category: % Volume Growth 2007-2012
Table 4 Sales of Cigars by Category: % Value Growth 2007-2012
Table 5 Sales of Cigars by Handmade vs Machine-manufactured: % Volume Breakdown 2007-2012
Table 6 Sales of Cigars by Handmade vs Machine-manufactured: % Value Breakdown 2007-2012
Table 7 NBO Company Shares of Cigars Excluding Cigarillos: % Volume 2008-2012
Table 8 LBN Brand Shares of Cigars Excluding Cigarillos: % Volume 2009-2012
Table 9 NBO Company Shares of Cigarillos: % Volume 2008-2012
Table 10 LBN Brand Shares of Cigarillos: % Volume 2009-2012
Table 11 Distribution of Cigars by Format: % Volume 2007-2012
Table 12 Forecast Sales of Cigars by Category: Volume 2012-2017
Table 13 Forecast Sales of Cigars by Category: Value 2012-2017
Table 14 Forecast Sales of Cigars by Category: % Volume Growth 2012-2017
Table 15 Forecast Sales of Cigars by Category: % Value Growth 2012-2017
British American Tobacco France in Tobacco (france)
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 2 British American Tobacco France: Key Facts
Summary 3 British American Tobacco France: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Competitive Positioning
Summary 4 British American Tobacco France: Competitive Position 2012
Imperial Tobacco France SA in Tobacco (france)
Strategic Direction
Key Facts
Summary 5 Imperial Tobacco France SA: Key Facts
Summary 6 Imperial Tobacco France SA: Operational Indicators
Company Background
Competitive Positioning
Summary 7 Imperial Tobacco France SA: Competitive Position 2012
Executive Summary
New Increase in Taxation Reduces Sales of Cigarettes
Illicit Trade Becomes Alternative Solution To Expensive Cigarettes in France
E-cigarettes Increase in Popularity
Innovations Drive the Tobacco Market
Ryo Tobacco was the Only Category To Record Growth in 2012
Operating Environment
Summary 8 Legislation Summary at a Glance
EU Directives
Minimum Legal Smoking Age
Smoking Prevalence
Tar Levels
Health Warnings
Advertising and Sponsorship
Point-of-sale Display Bans
Smoking in Public Places
Low Ignition Propensity (lip) Regulation
"reduced Harm
Electronic Cigarettes
Death by Cause
Table 16 Death by Cause 2008-2012
Taxation and Pricing
Duty Paid Packet Marks
Taxation Rates
Table 17 Taxation and Duty Levies for Cigarettes 2007-2012
Table 18 Taxation and Duty Levies for Cigars 2007-2012
Table 19 Taxation and Duty Levies for RYO Tobacco 2007-2012
Average Cigarette Pack Price Breakdown
Table 20 Average Cigarette Pack Price Breakdown: Brand Examples
Table 21 Trade Statistics - Tobacco Leaf 2007-2012
Illicit Trade in Cigarettes
Market Indicators
Table 22 Illicit Trade Estimate of Cigarettes: Volume 2007-2012
Market Data
Table 23 Sales of Tobacco by Category: Volume 2007-2012
Table 24 Sales of Tobacco by Category: Value 2007-2012
Table 25 Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2007-2012
Table 26 Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2007-2012
Table 27 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: Volume 2012-2017
Table 28 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: Value 2012-2017
Table 29 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Volume Growth 2012-2017
Table 30 Forecast Sales of Tobacco by Category: % Value Growth 2012-2017
Summary 9 Research Sources
This report does not have a list of Companies Mentioned available
This report does not have a press release associated with it
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York has experienced some of the most devastating natural disasters its history in recent years, as well as the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
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Dec 18
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We thank our sponsors:
|Double Tree Denver ~ ASA Headquarters Hotel
Call for Reservations: 303-321-3333 • $93 Flat Rate in the Simmental block
Shuttle Service to and from NWSS
3203 Quebec Denver Colorado
Cut-off Date ~ December 10
Join us in Denver for Tons of Fun ~
• ASA Board Meeting
• Annual Business Meeting
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• Meet & Greet at the NWSS ~ New this Year
• Plus, the National Western Stock Show
• Cattle Shows
• The One Sale, Volume XXII
• SimMagic on Ice
• Wild, Wild West Sale
• January 16-21, 2015
New episode scheduled to air November 3 on RFD TV and Rural TV.
"Want to help improve our prediction for tenderness and carcass traits? The American Simmental Association is collaborating with Dr. Jared Decker at the University of Missouri to learn more about the genetic control of tenderness in many different breeds. Dr. Decker and his team is working to create breed-specific and multi-breed genomic predictions for tenderness and other carcass traits. Dr. Decker plans to genotype approximately 168 Simmental bulls for this project in exchange for the pedigree and EPD data from the ASA. We need help to collect samples. Please review the list of qualifying bulls and send us some DNA if you have it. The lab would prefer to work with semen (just one straw is needed and you can send it protected in a regular envelope). Send samples c/o Jackie Atkins at The American Simmental Association, 1 Simmental Way, Bozeman, MT 59715. Thanks for your help!"
Geneticists from around the world converged on Vancouver, British Columbia last week for the tenth World Congress on Genetic Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP). The conference is an opportunity for geneticists working in various species (including humans) to exchange information on the latest technology in quantitative and molecular genetics. Held only once every four years, 1583 delegates representing 58 countries were in attendance at WCGALP. The ASA was well represented at the event. Ongoing work funded by ASA on genetic evaluation was presented by Dorian Garrick. Several ASA members, collaborators and friends were in attendance.
Pictured above:
The American Simmental Association would like to thank you for joining our Association.
At ASA, we take our mission statement seriously,
"The success of the American Simmental Association is dependent on the success of our members. In turn, our members' success is dependent on their cattle making an important and significant contribution to the beef industry. Our highest priority is to maintain and nurture services and products which bring value to ASA members customers."
We pride ourselves in the programs we have available for your advantage, and our friendly customer service staff are just a phone call away. 2014 Membership Directory
|ASA Membership Forms
|Adult Membership Application
|Registration Application
DNA Bar Coded Card Request Form
Genetic Abnormality Reporting Form
During a recent trip to Colombia, I had the opportunity to accompany a number of cattlemen who have experienced varying degrees of success in the international cattle business. I tried to act as a sponge during the trip, taking in methodology and tactics for cattlemen with an interest in pursuing business in Colombia and on other international fronts. After a number of interviews, lots of observation, and some research, I established some basic steps that business men and women can utilize to get started with their international program or at least to investigate the potential of establishing an international program. Most of these principles directly apply to seedstock producers but many of them can be applied to other portions of the cattle industry.
Last December, Dr. Lauren Hyde presented ASA's experience with blending genomic data into our genetic predictions at BIF's 10th Genetic Prediction Workshop in Kansas City. Dr. Hyde discussed the history of GE-EPDs within the ASA, the discovery of a problem with GE-EPD methodology that artificially made animals with good EPDs look even better and animals with bad EPDs look even worse, and the steps ASA and the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium have taken to address the problem.
| Check out our new ASA Science Forum.
Join Drs. Lauren Hyde and Jackie Atkins in discussions about the latest topics. They welcome your questions.
We started an ASA Forum that is science based with communication boards on Genetic Conditions, Genetic Evaluation, and DNA Testing. Dr. Lauren Hyde and I are moderating the forum and we would love to hear your input. You can find the forum by going to our homepage www.simmental.org and clicking on the ASA Forum button (between the Membership Directory and the Sire Source). Once on the forum, you can read through the posts for information on topics provided. You can also login and post replies to any of the subjects. It is the sincere hope of the ASA that our members will use this forum not only to educate themselves but to post their own questions or comments. We want to hear what you think about these topics and which areas you would like more information about. If you have questions about a topic that is not yet posted, send me an email jatkins@simmgene. com and I will do my best to address this issue on the forum.
Latest Post: Bull Selection - What criteria do you use to select bulls?
Breeding for Profit ~ A Producer's Guide: This newest ASA brochure addresses what animal breeders and industry professionals have long understood ~ that crossbreeding is the number one component affecting profitability in any genetic program. Hybrid vigor has the largest impact on economically important traits within a cowherd like fertility, longevity and overall cowherd efficiency. Although the beef industry as a whole has been slow to adopt this science, many have realized outstanding profit through the use of structured crossbreeding programs. This brochure will be used at trade shows, state association event, educational events as well as for individual distribution.
The Flipbook version is on the website, we hope you will enjoy it ~ click here.


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Another year, another successful PROJECT NYC. We look forward to seeing familiar brands and faces again in Vegas next month! Peep the recap of the 2013 show by Treu Bleu Imagery.
Presenting progressive trends in streetwear for the young, fashion-forward customer, MVMNT unites the top contemporary retailers to shop street fashion and youth-culture brands in a focused destination. Through intuitively merchandised environments with a strong point of view and solid brand identity, MVMNT simplifies buyer navigation and discovery
| | February 17-19, 2015 Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas


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What does OPSG mean in Firms?
This page is about the meanings of the acronym/abbreviation/shorthand OPSG in the Business field in general and in the Firms terminology in particular.
Find a translation for OPSG in other languages:
Select another language:
Discuss this OPSG abbreviation with the community:
Use the citation below to add this abbreviation to your bibliography:
"OPSG." Abbreviations.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2014. Web. 2 Oct. 2014. <http://www.abbreviations.com/term/215548>.
OPSG also stands for:
- Olympus Photo Safari Group
- OPeration Stone Garden
- Operations Planning Steering Group
- OsteoPorosis Support Group
... see them all »
Nearby & related abbreviations:
Alternative search:
- Search Ocean Pacific Seafood Group on Amazon.com
- Search Ocean Pacific Seafood Group on Google


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Esther Lucey
Sr. Analyst, HRPP
Esther Lucey serves as Senior Analyst for the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) in the Office of the Vice President for Research. She provides support to TTU investigators in the processing of submitting new proposals of their research studies involving human subjects and continues that support to investigators requesting protocol extensions, amendments and terminations.
Esther joined the Human Research Protection Program in 2012 moving across campus from the College of Education. She is an alumnus of TTU with a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies.
Contact Esther Lucey at (806) 742-2064 or email@example.com