The "down turn" does it still affect you or where you are right now?

I still feel it here in NC. I have definitely cut back on extras. We do not go out to the movies often or eat out a lot. I had to take a paycut last year and fear that I could possibly lose my job.

My husband is an Economist and is starting his own HedgeFund soon and feels we will suffer for many months to come. The major factor in America is the unemployment. If we brought more jobs back home and stopped out-sourcing we could employ thousands more and this is turn saves the government a huge import account and provides more jobs and more tax revenue and of course less unemployment benefits needed. Not enough is being done at all but I feel we also need to stop being greedy. One should only look at a house that one can afford. At least a 5% down-payment with no more than 1/3 of your monthly paycheck going to mortgage. I have stopped depending on government to help me out, made my own plans that are stable and risk free. Great topic btw!