So, how has the "financial crisis" effected you and yours?

[Ken K.]

For us, other than never being able to retire since my 401K is in the tank, the only "effect" has been that the restaurants we frequent have almost no wait anymore.

Hope everyone else is doing OK.

Ken

[Ken K.]

Alice,

Clearly no laughing matter and the restaurant comment was meant to show that many folks are cutting way back on spending.  A friend of ours daughter works in the Cedar Crest Carrabas and they say business is way off, even during their times when the typical wait to get a table was 2 hours.

Ken

[twg1942]

Because I've been retired for 8 1/2 years, I am no longer able to invest more in my 401(k) when the market is down.  That aside, at least I've enjoyed 8 1/2 years of retirement already no matter what happens in the future, and they can't take that away from me.  And yes, my 401(k) has taken a pretty good hit like most people, but since I don't have to start withdrawals for another four years, hopefully it will recover and more by then.  I hope none of you suffers too much through this ordeal.  Have a great day!

[late one]

My daughter graduated last January with degrees in finance and economics.     Want to make a bet on how long it will take her to find a job in one of those fields?

[RacingHistorian]

Being right in the middle of the whole situation professionally, and also teaching about it at college two nights a week - I pretty much have my 'lectures' burned word for word in my mindset.   

I have friends and relatives calling me saying..  "I lost $25K in my 401K!!".   The first thing I say is... "Really?  Congratulations - I hadn't realized you retired and started withdrawing your money yet?"   They are usually at a loss for words until I explain that unless you start selling the securities you own you've lost NOTHING but a figure written on paper.   AND... if you are that close to retirement you had no business being that heavily invested in those types of securities to begin with.   By then they realize they aren't going to get the pitty party they were hoping to obtain from me.   

I could go on and on about my personal economic/political/social opinions and how it relates to our current condition in the country - but this is definitely not the place where I want to be doing that.       

But to answer the question - It's not affecting me at all.   I just wish it was closer to December so I could increase my contribution to my 401K plan.  It's a great time to be investing.   

And as far as nobody eating out.. I wish you would tell that to all the people who are always in line before us.  I hate waiting... especially when it delays my Chicken Parm and Desert Rosa at Carrabas! 

[RacingHistorian]

My daughter graduated last January with degrees in finance and economics.     Want to make a bet on how long it will take her to find a job in one of those fields?

I dual majored in Economics and Finance myself.  I'd say the job market today isn't all that much worse than it was when I graduated in 1995.   Of course, if she's looking for a job in investment banking she might be looking for awhile....     

[super_rep]

It hurts, but as long as I'm 6' tall and not 6' under, I'll survive.

Chet

[RacingHistorian]

Husband got laid off a few days after the stock market crashed because he built homes for megamillionaires and all of the jobs got cancelled.

Anyone need a panic room  or three story library addition with gold trim?  I know the guy to do it.

Will he take a check drawn on Merril Lynch?   It's back by the full guarantee of AIG.     

[Brian Keifer]

It's back by the full guarantee of AIG.     

I hear those guys really know how to party. =P

[RacingHistorian]

It's back by the full guarantee of AIG.     

I hear those guys really know how to party. =P

You know it.. of course, it's hard not to have a good party with $440,000 a weekend.   

[peachhead]

We went to the WalMart in Easton on Sunday and we could actually push our cart without banging into people!!!  Usually it is so jam-packed that you can barely get from one end of the store to another and you have to wait in long lines to check out.  Not so this weekend!!

[RacingHistorian]

That really sucks Diddee... 

Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions other than installing a wifi security camera (which costs money).

OR, if it seems to happen on a particular night(s),  scoping it out from a distance while carrying my Springfield .45 GAP XD automatic loaded with 230 grain Hydra-Shock JHPs - But hey, that's just me.   

[Ken K.]

Diddee,

Didn't expect to hear this kind of thing, most unfortunate.

My suggestion would be a LARGE DOG, preferrably around 120 pounds, large teeth and a loud bark.

If that won't work and you can uncover a pattern to the theives timing I am sure you will have no trouble find a few volunteers that need some "batting practice" at that time.

Ken

[peachhead]

I'm really sorry to hear that.....  It is really sad that people  steal from a roadside fruit stand.  It sure sounds like a great idea to teach your kids about real life things---and now they have to learn about crime firsthand.   

I wouldn't put out a safe or anything.  I guess you will just have to man the fruit stand on a daily basis and pack the stuff up each night.

[Yammer77]

brian, mountain or a roadie?