Signs of hard times.... do you see it?  

You are certainly right. It is important that we must be strong be able to adjust. I hope that everything will change for the better soon. I see a lot of people losing jobs both the husband and the wife. Its really frustrating and I pity them. But as long as you have the will and determination, I am sure that it will be okay.

Here is the thing we can all adjust to a point; however, what happens when you have cut back all the expenses that are possible and it is still not enough? I mean we can all turn off lights, unplug things when we are not at home; however, basic shelter, food, heat, water, air conditioning (in the summer) these are necessities.

Yes there are things that we can do to save on money. But as you have said, what if this is not enough. Well, I guess, were just gonna have to work more to earn more. We will just have to be careful with our health considering that it can also stress us out and in return get sick and need more money for treatment.

You are certainly right. In our country there is something wrong with the system. From the government to the public. There are a lot of corrupt officials and of course lazy citizens. I hope that one day thins will change and that our country will improve. The whole things relies on attitude. Until we change we will continue to suffer.

Here is the problem with our country and government it is founded upon the principal of capitalism. Our nation feeds upon the greed of the all mighly dollar. We try to capitalize on each other's pain, grief, and sorrows. Until we change the fundamental principals of how our society operates we will continue to be in the same boat. Obama (whether you agree or disagree with his politics) has tried to shift the fundamental principals back to the original vision of our forefathers that being a democracy run by the people for the people. He has tried and working to put in place more of a social network where everyone benifts and there is less corruption and greed.

The problem is that in these hard economic times people are turning desperate. They are turning to crime. Perhaps due to people feeling the system has failed them. The issue might be that they are just trying to survive and do not see any other way. I am not condoning people's actions I am just offering insights to reasons that it might be happening. I know where I live their has been a rash of break-ins especially with the whole housing crash that has left tons of people unable to afford the houses they bought.

Yes, I have seen that too. There are people who are also gaining from this situation and there are those that are making it big. I guess there are still opportunities but only for the chosen few. Many are indeed suffering. I just hope that this crisis will be over.

Part of the whole lending mess came from the federal government (I think it was President Bush) removing a lot of the banking regulations that provided safeguards against such lending nightmares as what we have seen with the housing markets and banks.

I agree that some companies have made thousands over the years off of consumers and know they are whinning over their folly of mistakes that occured due to many banks coming up with get rich schemes.

After all, a big part of the housing problem was these interest only loans were people were advising people you could get rich off of refinancing taking the equity in the home investing it in the stock market and continuing to pay just the interest in your home.

That is what I heard. This is actually affecting almost every country in the world. I just hope that it will be over soon. But surely we will just have to make adjustments and in turn find ways to save money should the situation will continue.

What is interesting to me is that this problem has existed for so long, and the government is know just trying to fix it. On the eve of 9/11, the country was on the brink of a recession. It was only the war on terrorism and investments by the government in Homeland security that bolstered the economy enough to keep it from coming to a crashing halt. Okay President Bush tried to help the problem by infusing cash flow through tax rebates into the economy; however, the problem was that most people paid-off bills rather than spending the money, so the initiative really did not help much.

My point is that the government and economists knew what was happening for so long, and they have yet to come up with a plan to solve the problem. The biggest issue is that we keep trying to fix things in the short-run. It is like trying to put a bandage on a wound that gushing blood. It holds for a moment until the pressure of the blood is too much for the bandage and it just comes right off. This is what keeps happening in the economy. Finally, we have President Obama who understands that we have to find permanent solutions for the long-term. The problem is it takes these long-term solutions more time to resolve the problem; although, there is at least some hope that there will be light at the end of the tunnel of all of these problems.

Hahaha, actually I intended to use that picture to put a little humor into this post. But true indeed it will somehow show that truly it is hard nowadays. Well, you certainly have a point there. If people do not spend their money, many more will suffer. But sad to note that we cannot dictate what they should do with their money.

I agree to a point about the media. It is pretty rare that I turn on the news just because I am tired about hearing about all the problems and bad stuff going on in the world. A couple times when I have turned on the news though they have had some encouraging stories about ways people can help the local community. One of the cities in the local community built this whole website and resource guide to encourage people to buy locally to support the local community. I do think the media is trying to get the word out there that people need to work together in this climate to help each other.

Hi there zed_k4, with such attitude of yours, you will certainly have a great future ahead. We can never be sure of the future and saving is one way to prepare. Truly this time is really hard, but of course the important thing is to work harder to cope up with the hard times. Best of luck to you and enjoy life no matter what. Earn and save, as well as enjoy.

Thanks so much, buddy..
You are not that yourself; and friends like you makes mylotting very fun and interesting..

I think this is one of the problems that we all have about the uncertainity of the future. We feel like we have to plan for the future. Sometimes we forget that we need to take things day by day. We have to deal with today - the present before we can worry about the future.

Yes, aireana, the important thing as of the moment is to think and plan what to do today so as to insure that we will survive. Worrying does not do anything and it will only put us more in misery.

That's right, friends..
Just take one day at a time.. better than worrying..

Hahaha, your post does makes me wonder also. Well I do hope that the hermit crab was able to pay the mortgage. It would be very dangerous if the tin can is removed. Well, I have heard a lot of people not being able to pay for loans this present times. I just hope that the economy will improve later on.

The government might help if you have a mortgage; although, if you are renting there is no assistance programs out there to help individuals out. So, I hope the hermit crab has a morgage on that tin can rather than renting it for his home. It is crazy that everyone is upside-down paying more than the current market. People that are renting are just as stuck if not more so than homeowners. We have to either continue paying high rents because apartment complexes are not decreasing the rent or we have to move. The moving costs alone can just about get to the point were it is not economical to move. The worst part is that even if you move you may find yourself in a worse situation because many apartment complexes are having financial difficulties. I have heard of problems were the management company just locked their doors and shut down leaving tenants without utilities. These times are so challenging to know what one should do.

Note to the wise, if you do rent, you can try to negotiate a lower rent when it i stime to renew your lease. Do not expect any dramatic reductions. I've lived in my apartment for 4 years and the best I was able to do is get a $10 reduction. Over the course of a 12 mont lease, it is a saving of $120, and every little bit does help. Still I am paying like a $100 more a month than what a new tenant that would walk-in and rent a vacant apartment is paying. So much for loyalty!

Yes, its been hard for quite a time now. I have seen many people losing their job. We do have to make adjustments to insure that we can hang on and continue. Of course, we should also pray and be strong. Godbless likewise and best to you always!

The economy is a circle that effects everyone. It is much like the circle of life because we are all connected. The fate of everyone is linked. The behavior of consumers, producers, and investors. We have to work together.

One of the biggest reasons that schools are struggling is due to sales tax revenue being down. This is due to consumers not purchasing as much goods and services. As a result, their is less revenue for public services such as education.

The sad statistic is that teachers are being asked to do more with less funding. I have seen kindergarten classrooms this year with 30 students, where they only have aides for half of the day. In contrast to last year, these classrooms had 20 students and full day aides. With these high teacher to student ratios the quality of education diminishes for the students. We need to fix this problem with the ecomony not just because it is effecting people's paychecks, but because it is effecting need government services such as public education.

I understand you point. I have heard and seen many people suffering this past few months. My only wish is for the economy to improve. I am sure that not only you has experience such problem. In other words we are not alone. But the important thing is for us to adjust for the meantime that life and the economy is hard. Best to you and I wish you best and hope that life would be great later on. Let's continue to strive!

You are right we are all struggling. I think some people realize this more than others. It is hard because especially at this time of year the focus is so much on giving and so many feel like there just is nothing left to give because so much has been taken from us and / or we are barely making ends meat ourselves that we just do not have any extra to share with others. I think there needs to be more programs out there especially at times like this for helping people to cope and adjust. Instead the state agencies and resources that are usually available have been cut so much that they are only there for a few people.

It is weird how many people need additional support and assistance but do not qualify for the majority of assistance programs that are available.

I guess its also the same here for our country. Many people are unemployed and our government does not seem to have a good program for such. Most of our government officials are enriching themselves instead of helping others. Everyone is suffering from high cost of fuel, electricity, as well as food. I am already losing hope and the best thing that people do is just to live and work their way without depending so much on the government. Well, election time is nearing in our country and I hope that my country men will vote wisely.

I hope that the next elected officials do better! The thing about change is it takes a while. One person can only make ripples in the water hoping that ripple will continue on to the next person, yet if soneone is opposed to the change they tend to stop the ripple effect. Here in the United States I think Obama, who was elected by the people, has really good ideas about changes for the better. The problem is that most people oppose those changes. I am so tired of his proposed changes being referred to as socialism and Marxist economic principles. He is trying set the stage for a vision of change for the better in one of the toughest economic times of the century. Instead of people getting on bard to help fix the system and change it for the better, other politicians are to busy standing in the way of change for a better future for the United States. Personally, I think we need to stop thinking that America's policies and systems are the best and start looking at functional systems we see in other countries. The goal should be to try to find what works. Look at Switzerland, they used the United States for their model of government; however, they improved upon those government systems taking what works and not using what did not work.

Yes, I have been following what is happening in your government. I certainly agree with your observation. Well, in our country, graft and corruption is so rampant. From the local official up to the high level. So there is really no hope unless there is a miracle or perhaps people will be able to choose a good president that will lead us to changes that we want to happen. Let us just hope that such change will happen and that life would not be so difficult for all of us.

Yes, you are right. Life is a matter of choice. What we do will certainly shape our future. But then we have to understand that there are factors that affect our life no matter what we choose. But if we put our heart and mind to what we do and fight to survive, there is always a chance to make our life better.

that is the option that we always have.