Economy or DEBT is a four letter word...

[Hermskii]

It is true; DEBT is a four letter word. I'm not a finacial genius or any kind for that matter but I'm wondering how the rest of you and your loved ones, friends and colegues are doing in todays economy.

I think I may have a funny yet semi accurate scale to help us/you determine if you are helping or not but it is not scientific by any means and these are just a few triggers that may tell you more about yourself and where you might want to stand as far as the way this country is run. Yes, I'm drinking right now.

Do you have a full time job?
Do you have any debt whether school loan or credit cars, car payment, house payment?
If so which ones?
Of the ones you have debt on are you current and did you stay current the whole time?
Do you actually own anything that is worth more than your total debt?

Damn, just based on those questions which I have less than favorable answers to I may be more of the problem than a solution but :
I do have a well paying full time job.
I do have every type of debt I mentioned.
I am current on all of my debt though not perfectly on time.
I don't own anything worth more than my total debt.

On a good note, I'm coming out of debt quickly and have a plan.

That's all. I was just wondering stuff like that and especially about friends and family and how they are holding up. I'm in Texas which produces over 20% of the Gross National Product by itself. We are going to be hit last by the bad economy. Since you are not in Texas I'm a little worried and curious about what you notice around you. My wife is going through round 3 of lay-offs at her work right now. She is part of a good company so I have to wonder how bad it is elsewhere with weaker companies. Peace all and good luck.

[Scify]

Well I know job is safe. Not getting a raise this year . My heatlh insurance was free but There is chance I may have to pay it full .I guess may have to move into my sister house but I have pay half of it won't be so bad . I just cut back food , lower cost internet and maybe no cable TV.Every two year rent goes up and this year it year go up

[Hook]

Wife and I both lost our jobs...
Her in Dec. 08
Me in Mar. 09
Tuff!
I got a few sticks in the fire but jobs a real sparse to say the least.

[Fuzz_Ball]

I was in Real Estate for 3 years and got tired of seeing things going down, down, down.
The negative news pinheads were never any help with their gloomy market reports.
Luckily, I had an I.T. (that's computers) background that I fell back on.
That lasted over a year, then they reduced everyone's hours - I left.
At the time, things are looking better in real estate but not great, so I'm looking again in I.T.
I only wish I bought more cool stuff with the money I got from refinancing my house back then.
I'm having a problem getting homes for my clients - we are frequently offering full price and getting out bid!
Sure, home prices have dropped drastically but no one remembers how fast they shot up in '05!
Many average people can again afford a home in the Phoenix area.

[Scify]

My bother-in-law is Real Estate. Close to year just sale on house. My sister use her saving account pay bills My sister is Teaches and Real Estate.

[Hermskii]

Hang in the Hook. I have 10 years of IT background and yet I am a Manager at a car-wash right now. I feel safer at a car-wash than with a IT job too.

[BIOMECH]

Wow, you adults are having a tricky time over there, childhood rules

OMG only 1 year of it left!

NOOOOOOO