'Feeling conflicted...are we holding up the economy or just fortunate?' I asked on my FB page before our family went to Yosemite Nat Park last week for fall break. The day before we left, my teen had remarked his first best friend was going to Hawaii and second was going to Disney World. Without missing a beat, I smiled and looked him in the eye and didn't have to say, 'You are living a good life and don't forget it.' He smiled back and knew exactly what wasn't spoken.
Fall colors in Curry Village
Near the end of the week I had a routine but serious cancer screen test (all's well) and was reasonably surprised at how bustling the medical office was.
The restaurants are busy, the Halloween costume stores queued. I am a fairly informed person and obtain news from a variety of sources.
So I'm having trouble getting a grasp on the overall economic climate. Maybe it's more useful to grasp the local economic climate. In which case, it seems to be okay by me.
Tiny Fern Springs
Some thoughtful replies to my post?
"About half of all familes were reletively unscathed by this recession. And many people would rather live on credit rather than cut back on spending."
"Don't think too hard. I suspect you are seeing everything as it is."
"I think it's good fortune and good planning. You are both [myself and my husband] working in fields that weren't hit as hard by the recession as other fields, and I know you have always worked very hard to live within your means. I agree that you should enjoy your vacation."
My empirical conclusion, without a load of proper data, is that the better off folks are doing okay, and the borderline folks are doing worse.
Mirror Lake Reflection
Let me leave on an upbeat (but perhaps still confusing) note!! I received a special order for a large set of invitations of these recently...
Ransom Party Invitations
Handmade from individually torn newspaper letters, see more info
outside: Come to my party
inside: or else
These cards have been on my website for a few years but this order will have made it all worthwhile. Patience is a virtue!
Thank You for spending a little time with Pretty Cheap Jewelry!
October 31st, 2011 at 10:11 pm 1320099117
I think this sums up regional economics. I was frequenting another financial message board and was surprised how many people were viewed as "poor" for being frugal. I am accustomed to being viewed as "stupid" perhaps, but not "poor." Perhaps somewhat due to my career and zip code. It's generally assumed we just choose to be cheap and "miserable." Because clearly if we have a little money in the bank, and no debt (I am vocal about that), then we are just depriving oursleves for no reason. $1,000 in the bank looks might fine to anyone with a negative net worth. There is a major lack of looking at the big picture (er, saving for retirement, future) in my own age group. If I only had $1000 in the bank, I'd be working a second job, personally. (And/Or majorly cutting expenses).
I just recently heard that 50% kids in our school district were "low income." I personally think a lot of spouses are out of work, people are collecting unemployment, but have nest eggs, etc. Either that or they are just in debt up to their eyeballs - I see no indication that I live in a low income neighborhood. I know a LOT of people out of work, but don't see significant scaling back. I was surprised by sheer number of people who did Disney during fall break. Yes, we did Disney, but few seem willing to cut the corners that we do. Schoolmate with financial issues did a 11-day trip, for one. I tried not to assume much - could have visited family? But from all accounts sound like they had quite the vacation. They just told us they were worried if they could keep their house. ???
October 31st, 2011 at 10:20 pm 1320099619
& LOVE those invites. HA!
October 31st, 2011 at 10:54 pm 1320101655
October 31st, 2011 at 11:11 pm 1320102715
November 1st, 2011 at 07:01 pm 1320174092