Dear All, Did you know that the death rate goes down as unemployment goes up?  Neither did I.  That & other fascinating, & optimistic, facts are set forth in today's NY Times http://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&tab=wm#inbox/11f37b14e1e3d3c3 

I ususally foreswear agreement with an article that I post, but I like this one.

Yorus in Him, Deb

Deb, could you check that address? It took me to something completely different than the usual NY Times article that you usually post. By the way, You find the most interesting things to start discussions.

Dear Toni, Trying this again -- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/business/01view.html?8mon&emc=yma1  I can see that that is much shorter than what I already posted (by mistake).  I'm going to post THIS post, & see whether that URL is correct.  Ah!  It takes you to a whole section entitled Your Money.  Look for the 1st story, Tyler Cowen's "Recession Can Change A Way of Life."  Let me know if this still doesn't work for you.  Love in Him, Deb

Yep This worked. Very good article! It does explain the benefits we can get from this current situation. Unfortunately, many people who are used to instant gratification may not appreciate the learning curve in this transition. Its going to take awhile for them to do things differently and many will go kicking and screaming. I grew up hearing about the Depression (ad nauseam) and later read accounts by oral historian Studs Terkel, so I'm not shocked or ill prepared for what's to come. If nothing else it certainly has exposed some disturbing things that needed correcting.

Thanks, Deb.  Good article! 

Even though we have always been frugally, I can tell you that the current economic climate is definitely changing our life, and in many areas it's actually a change for the better:-

• We're going out less, and enjoy each other's company more
• Less temptation to spend on clothes - if you're going out less, there's less temptation to buy a new outfit/ piece of jewellry etc
• Our health is improving - eating healthy home cooked meals, swimming, playing games at the beach for entertainment and fitness
• We are constantly challenged to find creative solutions at home, instead of rushing into the stores to buy something
• My home is becoming more orderly - instead of moping around and getting depressed about money, I clean or tidy something.
• We shop with a strategy for getting the most value for money, instead of spending money on the wrong items!
• Our marriage is benefitting - if there's a slow down in work, we take advantage of the time when the kids are at school and have an inexpensive date - a walk on the beach, a drive around the island etc

Thanks for sharing this. Its good to read something besides all the gloom & doom articles.

What i find the hardest about the recession is not having to cut back but the fear. But guess that fear has made me make some changes that i should have a long time ago..And i am finding being cheap is fun. its more fun to play monopoly with the kids than see a terrible kid movie ..

the article was really good. thank you..

 

Thanks for posting the link. I just heard about it and wanted to look it up. Your post came up on the google search and found this site. Mahalo and Aloha! David

Not to downplay those struggling with unemployment, but sometimes time away from work is just what one needs.  It can be a time to reflect about what you have been doing, how it affects your physical health, how it affects your family, etc.  Since we moved I have been out of work.  I didn't realize how much I was missing with my family being gone so much; most weeks I did a standard 40 hour work week, but at least 12-15 weeks a year I worked much more than that and I missed out on a lot.  Not working has made me more aware that those very long weeks took a toll on my health and took much more time from my family than I realized.  Now when I re-enter the workforce I have a better guage with which to measure myself and try not to repeat those past errors.

Dear Sunshine Treva, If I recall correctly, you are applying for a PT job now, which means that you have taken seriooously teh lessons that you have learned about watcing your health & alloting sufficient time for your family.  Congratulations!  Love in Him, Deb