Four benefits of not buying fireworks this Fourth
July 2nd, 2008 | by mbhunter |Last year for Independence Day we went out to a friend’s property and lit some fireworks. This was a novelty for me, since I grew up in New York and setting off fireworks was illegal without a license. In Virginia, though, some kinds of “spark throwers” can be lit legally.
I can’t remember exactly how much we spent on the fireworks last year but it was somewhere between $50 and $100. It was fun, and I think all of our kids had fun having their own little fireworks show, but they really didn’t deliver enough bang for the buck, so we won’t get any this year.
Though most Americans readily associate fireworks with this time of year, they’re just one-shot entertainment, and the money goes up in smoke, literally. Some states like California have good reasons to discourage fireworks because of dry conditions, but some cities are calling off their shows because of money.
It seems like others are paring down now that the economy is no longer booming and gas prices are exploding. Other expenses take precedence this year.
But, hey, there is a silver lining to not buying fireworks:
- You’ll save money. Fifty bucks is fifty bucks. You can feed a whole bunch of people for fifty bucks. (Or just add $200 to that $50 and you can get a $25 ING bonus if you don’t have an account already!)
- Your ears will thank you. Fireworks are loud. Up to 140 dB. Which can cause permanent hearing loss. (Spark throwers aren’t this loud, but firecrackers are pretty loud.)
- They’re dangerous. They can be used in ways that are safer, but nothing like this is completely without risk. Accidents happen.
- There’s more time to reflect on why we (Americans) celebrate the Fourth of July in the first place.
5 Responses to “Four benefits of not buying fireworks this Fourth”
By Annie on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Our town has canceled the fireworks this year as well. We had a change in administration recently and the old administration was a bit irresponsible with debt and things like that. The new administration is focused on debt reduction and, of course, I whole-heartedly appreciate that!
I won’t mind not having fireworks this year if it means that our taxes will not go up and we’ll still have school programs, paves streets and other important things like that.
By "Mo" Money on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
All good points. Many places make them illegal anyway.
By Firenze Jewels on Jul 2, 2008 | Reply
Happy fourth of July!
By RC@Thinkyourwaytowealth on Jul 3, 2008 | Reply
You make some good points, and it really is amazing how much money some people spend for the 4th and New Year’s (can be in the thousands)to see it go up in smoke!
By Finaciallyenhanced on Jul 5, 2008 | Reply
I agree, fireworks may be heaps of fun to light and watch but are they really worth the expense?
The are heaps of other things we can do for fun.