So, the cat's out of the bag: yeah, I'm old enough to remember when MTV burst on the scene, and how everyone loved the Dire Straits video, Money for Nothing.

I also remember an interview with Mark Knopfler where he talked about the origins of the song, and how he actually witnessed some guys in a store talking about rock stars: money for nothin' man.

Just a couple days ago, I was zipping through TV channels, when a story on the Biography channel caught my eye.  The subject was Jon Bon Jovi.   I've always like him (and really admire his philanthropy) but realized as I watched that I didn't really know much about him - or the beginnings of the band.

What really shocked me was a story about an especially grueling tour schedule, resulting in him being so physically exhausted that they were shooting him up with steroids just so he  could go out and sing each night.  When his mother found out she was horrified; but as she said, "My baby was making a lot of money for a lot of people."  Money for nothin' - doesn't sound so fun, after hearing that tale.

And then there was the letter to the editor of the Washington Post.  The writer was a boutique owner in DC, and she took great offense to an article all about the steal a woman got on her Inaugural Ball gown.  I think the lady wound up paying something like $4.75 for it!  But as the boutique owner said (I'm paraphrasing) Give me a break - you think small businesses can survive marking clothes down that low?  You want me to go out of business, and then I have no job, no health care, my employees have no jobs, no health care?  Money for nothin' - sounding worse all the time.

And finally, a friend of mine wrote a note, expressing her outrage and disgust, about an item in her newspaper.  The author of the newspaper article was basically telling customers to go in and ask stores for discounts on the new spring merchandise, because after all, they were just going to discount it anyway.  Now, this friend owns an upscale boutique that sells gorgeous designer clothes.  Her retort: What do they think I'm going to do - give it away for free?  I've got expenses like everyone else.  I go out of business, then I'm unemployed, the folks who work for me are unemployed.  That's a good thing?!  (Again, I'm paraphrasing.)

Money for nothin'...  So why am I writing about this?  The Bella Figura USA Winter Sale is ending this week - lots of discounts - lots of savings.  And besides our sale, I've been bombarded with messages from other stores about their sales.  Plus, I've been sent numerous surveys from businesses (large and small) asking about my spending habits.   I certainly understand - everyone, including me, is spending more carefully.

But remember, everything has a price.  That money for nothin' desire?  Well, be careful what you wish for.  It can have dire consequences - and you could find yourself in dire straits.  (Sorry, couldn't resist that one!)

(And if you're in the Carmel, California area, and are in the market for a beautiful cocktail dress or evening gown, be sure and stop in at  my friend's boutique - Collezione Fortuna, on Linclon Street.)