Geez this is surprisingly simple. I’ve been saying for the last 2 years or so, ‘You’re all going to Love the next Great Depression, brought to you unsurprisingly enough by the same folks who did the First; The Repug’s!’ And I’ve been saying for the last 8-9 mo, ‘we’re all waiting for this crisis to hit the Commercial paper (short term credit market). So Lots of people saw this coming. From a Long way off. I was seeing it in economic numbers clearly about 4 years ago or more. So what would You do if you saw an economic disaster looming on the horizon? Prepare. Save. Half my assets are in safe liquid assets (And Not Just the Liquor)! So I’ve got about 3 years income saved to stave off disaster. That may not be enough. But it’s a nice thought to tide one over, and to calm your mind.

Our main business bank also happens to be one of the few really conservative banks that never went into the subprime mess. Stodgy, dependable & boring. They missed out on All the excitement. But they’re still solvent and giving out credit for dependable long term customers. That’s essential. As is a new President and a totally new Deal for the forgotten Middle Class in America.

But none of this is easy, and no one can afford to be smug about this disaster. Lots of people will lose everything. I know some of them. I try to help out where I can, but no one person can save the world. We all need to pull together and sacrifice for future generations and for the here & now too. It’ll take a tremendous amount of effort, and plenty of good luck and a restored trust and respect for the hard work that all American’s do, not just the fanatical financial ‘geniuses’ who managed to get us into this debacle. Again. Cheers & Good Luck, ‘VJ’

Oh, lots of silver linings to think about!

1) The economic crisis is helping push the electorate towards electing the candidate of my choice (fingers crossed!)! Yay, hope!

2) I’m happier about keeping the (very modest, old & run down) house where my ex and I lived for 10+ years before we divorced. I still have a mortgage, but it’s very modest. I’m so glad now that I didn’t go for that shiny, new, overpriced split-level with the huge mortgage! Thanks, kids, for insisting that we not move!

3) I was too lazy (and confused) to get around to investing the small nest egg I ended with after my divorce 2 years ago. But I’m happy now it’s in those boring old CDs instead of stocks! Procrastination as a financial strategy—who knew it could be so good?

You are making the assumption that I’m sane! Silly you…

Things are tough. I started out with a great, low mortgage, but a couple of years ago I did a loan consolidation and my payment went way up. I don’t think it’s one of those balloon mortgages per se… they tried to stick me with that, but I saw the payment schedule and said no way. They tried to talk me into it, but ultimately gave me a fixed rate. I still think the deal might have been shady, and I’m regretting it now that I’m really struggling with my larger payments. I’m hoping the bailout plan will have something in it to help me.

What keeps me sane? Having fun with my daughter and watching a lot of TV (which takes me to another place and helps me forget for a while). You seem to have the right idea… exercise it out! At least that way you can stay in shape.

Kelly’s last blog post…

SMS,
A belated “sorry” about your jobs. I recall asking you for advice on freelancing and going it alone and while attractive for a number of reasons, I am thankful to have a full-time position at the moment. So my thoughts are definitely with you.

I’m not a financial expert or an economics major, but I do realize that virtually everyone is affected by the current economic crisis in some form or fashion.

I pay taxes, own a home, have a savings account, a 401k, IRA, and a few investments, like the average middle class American. My job is supposedly secure and unrelated to the financial industry, but nothing is promised or guaranteed.  Fortunately I have “adequate” disposable income to get by on, however, it is limited and further reduced by the rise in prices. The bright side for me is that I srive to live within my means and I don’t rely on credit to sustain my lifestyle. Yet I’m still worried and sometimes even scared.

Exercise is a great release (and your clip is nothing to be embarassed about!) I LOVE kickboxing, when I can find the time. Mini-me and I do yoga and pilates and now I have two fitness balls in my family room instead of one, so we can do that together as well. Exercise, as well as an awesome family and a few close friends (and occasionally, a good glass of wine!) keeps me sane…

You go girl!! Love the video!

Sorry to hear about your jobs. I am doing my best to not worry by focusing on what I am grateful for. And the list keeps getting longer and longer.

Hugs!

T’s last blog post…Receiving the love

Let’s see….I’m not dating anyone. My job is going crazy. The one thing keeping me sane is running, running, runnning (and watching the debates at night on cnn and msnbc). I’ve got a marathon coming up in December, so all this training also makes me very hungry. So food is keeping me sane as well (though I’m still able to lose weight with all this running). I know. Long answer.

kevin’s last blog post…14 months going on….

What a healthy stress buster! Mine is anti anxiety medication and chocolate. LOL

Andrea’s last blog post…Wordless Wednesday

LOVE that video!! You go girl!

I have just gotten back into gym - I was just to busy and missed almost a month! And I am LOVING it and can feel the difference in my energy and attitude!

I am of the ostrich variety and tend to stick my hand in the sand alot!

Sorry about the bad work news!

laurakim’s last blog post…Should moms pay maintenance?

“having fun with no money” was the theme of my grad school years, so I’m prepared!

pack a lunch and go hiking in a state or national park.

spend an afternoon doing an urban hike through your city–it’s great fun for people watching, and also a wonderful way to discover cool, out of the way spots like tiny parks, great views, neat old cafes, picturesque neighborhoods, etc.

People watch at your local farmers market or and art fair. Sometimes there’s free music (and/or street musicians). At the market, buy 1 vegetable of a type that you’ve never seen before and eat it for dinner.

Visit the public library for movies, CDs, free lectures and of course books. State university libraries are also usually open to the public, and in addition to books they have amazing collections of foreign movies, music recordings, recordings of lectures–all available for free to anyone (although you may have to watch/listen to them there).

Local university–often has free lectures.

Churches—often host free concerts.

BBQ/picnic at the park with friends and family.

Go to the public beach. Great for walking along even in the winter and in the summer of course swimming.

Take DVDs and CDs you don’t want anymore to the pawn shop and get cash. Then check out the great bargains there in musical instruments, electronics, power tools. Also, it’s a great place to pick up kids’ movies for almost nothing.

I love thrift stores! build your own halloween constume, assemble a dress up clothes collection for your kid, discover some original style for yourself. Especially good when you are feeling sorry for yourself–you can “shop” and get your self something new without breaking the budget. Especially good for baby clothes.

Start a gourmet (or “vintage americana”) cooking club with your friends–instead of going out to eat, each person in turn cooks what they want and invites the others. You could even have a thrift theme—in grad school I remember a round of cooking club on the theme of “creative and yummy things to do with ramen noodles”–yum!

If you already have the equipment, go for a bike ride, or rollerblade, alone or with friends. Play tennis or basketball at a public court in a park or gym.

Volunteer at the boys/girls club or your local Y. Playing with kids is fun!

Download online star maps (or check out a book from the library) and go star-gazing. Learn the constellations, watch meteor showers, look for the northern lights (if you live up there). A basic pair of binoculars will let you see cool nebulae with the naked eye. If you have a tripod and an old SLR camera, you can photograph the andromeda galaxy, do time-lapse photography of the sun’s procession across the sky, moonrise, partial eclipses, and lots of other cool celestial objects—you don’t even need a telescope.

Learn to make your own bread.

Spend the entire day at the Barnes and Noble reading/researching wtih whatever books you want (unpurchased!) in their cafe. All for the cost of just a latte!

Trade CDs with your friends, uploading what you like to your ipod.

Rachel,
Looks like you’re having fun! That’s what matters! Mae did a good job w/ the video. Have a good day!

MC: You wrote an entire article there. Thank you. GREAT tips!!

I can see that most of you get the adrenalin-high I’m talkin’ about…

Those of you who own your own homes really inspire me. Thank you.

I raided the salad bar for saltines and free breadsticks for lunch yesterday. At least I know I won’t starve as long as those are available!

Blogging keeps me sane. I hope I can still afford my internet connection in a few months, or else I’m headed to the funny farm.

pisceshanna’s last blog post…Breaking News #2

Wow–Rachel, despite hard times, you look incredibly athletic!

Well, i enjoyed the video and the production style..lol

I have one sin, and it includes me dating. I also get extra sun on my skin when I’m on the hiking trails.

I’m sure things will take a while to change..but we just have to work smarter.

Working out definitely helps and I am very thankful that my kids don’t have to drink powdered milk or eat chipped beef on toast (SOS) for dinner like I did growing up. We’re 100 times better off now than my mom was back then so I count my blessings.

Having a job I love is terrific. Worrying about finances not so much but at least I get paid to tailgate and there’s nothing wrong with an occasional drink.

SDMktg’s last blog post…Whatever happened to Lowenbrau?

OMG IS IT ever !!! I work my regular full time job and working on the side at home whenever I get a spare minute once my kid is asleep !!! Usually for a few minutes at night in between washing laundry !!!

TV makes me more stressed out ! Everyone on tv keeps saying “dont freak out”!! How come they keep having financial people on tv to *reassure* us that the economy is fine. If it is fine, they would not be having these *experts* on to discuss….

Then we have AIG !! We, the tax-payers, all bailed their company out YET days after our country BAILED them out, their top executives go on a “business” trip and manage to spend over 20K on spa treatments !!! I was outraged !! AND the best- they have another “business” trip planned. Although I saw on the Today Show this morning, AIG is rethinking allowing their members to go !! I was FURIOUS about AIG !!! I think they owe Americans a BIG Apology !!! I am strugging to make ends meet so that my son has health insurance and these fools spend over 20K on SPA TREATMENTS ?!?!?! Anyone want to guess the last time I forked over $40 for a pedicure !!! Lets just say it has been a long while !!

I worry about making ends meet… i worry about putting gas in my car… i worry about getting outstanding cc bills paid and I fret having my credit limit on some of these card being reduced for no reason ! I am totally stressed out. I work 8 hrs a day, 2 hrs commuting, then get home to turn into mommy mode with cooking, cleaning, help with homework and then before I pass out I try to write some articles on the side (ironically the majority of my articles have been about bankruuptcy- I used to work for a bankruptcy atty) and review some products/sites on the side just to earn some extra money ! It has helped - b/c of my side work I have managed to pay off one credit card… now working to get other ones paid off. UGH !!!

Christy’s last blog post…Yeah !!! hit the $550 in extra money !!

Oh, and yes, I too started exercising- took up jogging the last 4 weeks and I find it really helps me to stay somewhat sane !

Christy’s last blog post…Yeah !!! hit the $550 in extra money !!

Similarly, I play sports regularly to keep myself entertained, it’s basically free and of course the fitness benefits can’t be beat. I also:
1. Eat out less, cook more.
2. Don’t order booze when I do go out.
3. Drive less, ie stay at home
4. Don’t buy bottled water (I drink tap) or to-go coffee.

Lance’s last blog post…Morning Sex (And Other Sex)

Yes, life has been a huge stress lately so… I started doing Roller Derby!!! It’s a great stress reliever and a wonderful way to burn calories. Plus I have met a ton of great women. I am not on a team yet, but am practicing with a local team. Hopefully in the coming months I will try out. Who would of thought this 35 year old single mom would be kickin a** on skates!!!

Oaktown Mama: Roller Derby, wow, you go! That’s very brave.

Lance: Here’s to my bike… thanks to the Biologist who gave it to me. Good tips.

Christy: I’ve been following that AIG story, too, wondering when the heck anyone is going to apologize — and pay back?

I am obsessed with kickboxing as well. My job is not secure in the sense that my company is not secure and as such, I am in a horrible position. They are already two paychecks behind- my bills and responsibilities, now following suit. The domino effect.

However, I am emotionally in a good place. Physically, my body hurts and while i hope its from kickboxing, I feel that it may also be a quiet manifestation of my financial stresses. The worst part is my life that has offered my soul balance for the first time in years is tied to work. I spend half of my time in the Caribbean and the other half in NY. I lose the job, I lose the Caribbean . . (My financial responsibilities exceed commensurate salaries here)

So, Single Mom Seeking, I can definitely relate and I think we need to stick with envisioning everything working. Listen and change when its not. Try and not run from those things that are stressful . . I think times like these, require digging deep.

Everything will work for you.

Attainingme’s last blog post…What I want in a man

Sorry for the novel! I wish you had a preview feature for comments since I often just type away and it’s hard to judge how it will come out when you just have this little box thing to look at.

It’s a scary time for journalism. So many magazines are folding or breaking up with freelance writers.

tanasie’s last blog post…Avocado Matzo Balls

I play with my children and go to church to help keep the pressure down.

A friend of mine had surgery this week. She was told that she needs an organ transplant. She called me this morning to give me some helpful information about a subject she and I have previously discussed.

She said ‘Yes, I just had surgery and yes I am in pain, but that does not give me an excuse to lose my faith.’

I was total wowwed and humbled!

NappyKitchen’s last blog post…Barack Obama or Hair Weave?