Small Dose Of Positive Reinforcement: Dow Jones Is Up

Ka-ching. Ka-ching. Ka-ching.

That’s probably the sound many New York Stock Exchange traders heard in their heads today as The Dow Jones flirted around 10,000 for the first time in over a year.

This shot of adrenaline is definitely what the U.S. needs, as the fourth quarter begins. The National Retail Federation must have had a crystal ball in May 2009, when they projected a comeback with consumer goods. Money might be tight, but as a nation we’re still spending on food & beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and small electronics.

Take a closer look at these sectors; they’re about necessities, looking better and being entertained. These small purchases can have huge psychological ripple effects on us. A little positive reinforcement can go a long way. Most of us can deal with negative events for a short time, if we know (or believe) the end is near.

Although our family budget is tighter than it has been in 10 years, we’ve still managed to eat out a few times, buy moisturizers, a few over-the-counter drugs and one handheld, hot pink, digital video recorder for my daughter’s birthday — it was on eBay, and we scored a great deal.

For more information on the National Retail Federation’s projection, please visit http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=News&op=viewlive&sp_id=725