The stock market looks bad.

[Brunty_Farms]

The government needs to regulate more of the companies that have the control. A good example is the gas companies.... the gas prices should have came down to $1.60 a long time ago. Exon got greedy and I don't think they realized the crunch they were putting on the economy.

I'm glad I don't own any stock.... and I'm glad I have the knowledge and land to grow my own food if something really bad ever did happen such as a depression.

 

[Jena]

Quote:
Red feathers,

you are right we do have to see the good as well as the bad in this situation, and you are doing the right thing.

lol....at least we are all learning from it somehow.

It is all we have control of, doing our own thing, and linking in with others who see things the same.

You have a great attitude.

Jena.

 

[JennsPeeps]

I read a daily newsletter call "Everyday Cheapskate". Yesterday's was this, and I've thougth about it a lot. Worthwhile to share:

From www.everydaycheapskate.com 2/23/09 e-newsletter:

Out of the Dark Tunnel and into the Sunshine

This morning, on my way to the office, I conducted an impromptu inspection of my little world in Southern California. Despite all the threatening headlines and doom-filled stories of the day, everything was going on just as it has for a very long time.

I didn't see fewer cars on the freeway and there was not a single For Sale sign in my neighborhood. Schools were bustling with kids and teachers, restaurants were backed up for seating and the sun was shining.

Over the past few months, I've received the same email message more times than I care to count. It goes like this:

"Due to recent economic crises, the stock market crash, budget cuts, rising unemployment, unstable world conditions, outsourcing of business, the cost of insurance, electricity, petroleum and taxes of all kinds, we regret to advise you that the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience."

What makes me cranky is that millions of people believe it. Through no fault of their own, they believe their lives are now intolerable and their futures are doomed to failure while they sit paralyzed in a dark tunnel. They've become victims of The Recession.

It is a fact that the national economy of the U.S. is in a downturn, and economists say we are now in a recession. It's not the first time, nor will it be the last. Whether this recession is worse than any since the Great Depression is not certain. What we do know is that we still have 93 percent employment. Out of more than 10,000 banks in the U.S., fewer than 25 have gone under in the past year. Sure, some national retailers have closed up shop and undoubtedly others will follow, but that's nothing new. It's a sure bet that we will not be facing a shortage of stores anytime soon.

This is certainly not to underestimate or diminish what many of my readers are facing now in the wake of job layoffs and challenging times. Just don't blame the economy or feel sorry for yourself. This is life. Life happens. Perhaps you can begin to see that as a good thing. Think of it as an untimed opportunity to start your own business, change careers or move to another area. Great opportunities often come disguised as crises.

Today, I am renewing my commitment to focus on only those things that are true, honorable, fair, just, pure, acceptable and lovely. I absolutely refuse to get stuck in some dark tunnel where failure is the only option. That's why I've backed my train out of the tunnel and into the bright sunshine of optimism. I've plotted my detour, my boilers are stoked and steam is pouring through my engines. It's full speed ahead.

Are you with me? If so (or if not), post a comment on my blog, "Money Rules Debt Stinks," at www.moneyrulesdebtstinks.com, and tell me why​

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

My parents went through the depression and they taught me a valuable lesson.....never live beyond your means. I guess I took that to heart and at this moment in time I feel relitively secure. I know that if myself or my husband should lose our jobs, we would be ok.
We can afford to go jobless or work at Mickey D's for probably a year or more. I never had lots of stuff growing up, nor do I now, don't get me wrong I am very comfortable, but I am not in debt aside from my mortgage. My parents taught me that.
Alot of people, many whom I know and are friends with, have over extended themselves to keep up with the Jones' or because they think in order to be happy you have to have things. It is a pity that so many are facing such hardships, but hopefully when all this passes, which it will. people learn a valuable lesson.
We live in such a fast paced, disposible society that maybe it is time we slow down and take a look at what is really important;
Family, friends ect...go meet the neighbours, take a walk, play with the kids.....
OK, I'll shut up now, going back to the BYC castle for dinner!

 

[berkeleysprings]

i dont want to pay for people who cant pay for the house they couldent afford in the first place

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Love the pic of the guy in the sand.

Before my father died way back in 2000, he advised me to get out of ANY holdiings in the stock market as soon as it was feasable.

I lost my pants in that year as did everyone else.
I tried to recover and got about 60 percent back.
This is when I changed all my holdings to other things.
It took a few years, especially with the IRA people.
That is where I had most if not all of the money
available to me.

Now, even the real estate is taking a huge hit.
It just does not seem to be a very good thing
and every one is losing their pants and shirts
ONCE again.

I do not know if any one will trust the Stock markets
in any part of the world anymore. This is going to be
a real problem for the world economy.

Without capitol, industries are going to have to look
towards the government of their countries.

I wonder if they make a matress bigger than king size
for the big wigs ?

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

Quote:
I don't think anybody does, but one way or another we will pay. If the people lose thier houses where will they go, if they don't have a job how will they survive.....no one is totally innocent in this mess we have created for ourselves....so we meed to bite the bullet and help out where we can.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
I don't think anybody does, but one way or another we will pay. If the people lose thier houses where will they go, if they don't have a job how will they survive.....no one is totally innocent in this mess we have created for ourselves....so we meed to bite the bullet and help out where we can.

I think that the people that have lived within their means and didn't get in too deep are innocent. I bought the house I could afford and have always made my payments. I'm sick and tired of the government picking my pocket to pay for other people's mistakes. I don't mind there being safety nets to keep people from falling through the cracks, but the people that jump into the cracks should be left there.

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

Quote:
I don't think anybody does, but one way or another we will pay. If the people lose thier houses where will they go, if they don't have a job how will they survive.....no one is totally innocent in this mess we have created for ourselves....so we meed to bite the bullet and help out where we can.

I think that the people that have lived within their means and didn't get in too deep are innocent. I bought the house I could afford and have always made my payments. I'm sick and tired of the government picking my pocket to pay for other people's mistakes. I don't mind there being safety nets to keep people from falling through the cracks, but the people that jump into the cracks should be left there.

I guess my question to you then is;
If we don't help these folks out, what do you propose we do with them?
I agree it sucks, but it is all of our reality right now.

 

[horsejody]

If you always bail them out, they will keep making bad decisions. I don't think it matters if I go broke because of being taxed to death to save the stupid or because of home value & bank crashes. In the long run, the only thing that will save this country is personal responsibility. Don't buy more house than you need. Don't have kids you won't be a parent too or can't afford to care for. Don't over use credit cards. Bailing people out teaches them that irresponsible behavior is OK.

If somebody bought a house that they could reasonably afford and then lost their job, I don't have an issue with a little help for them. They aren't the problem. The problem people are the ones that spent to much on their home and never had a prayer of being able to pay the mortgage. I keep seeing people on the news crying because they bought a home with an interest only mortgage that would revert to a regular mortgage at a future date. Now it's time to pay the piper, and we are all supposed to dig deeper in our pockets to alleviate their pain.