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I agree, i didn't take the necessary time to formulate the poll. It was off the cuff, and surely simplistic.
My apologies. I will take more thought next time i make a poll.
The gist of the polls purpose i think has been presented, so if someone would like to build on the idea with a new poll with better options, i would be grateful for their efforts.
My bad....
Sorry, I didn't mean to come off harsh. I would suggest expanding on this thread with a new related thread. You could include options ranging from "indirectly impacted" which could mean 1) House has depreciated in value, 2) 401K has been impacted, 3) Total work hours have decreased, 4) A decrease in annual pay 5) A final good question would be if an individual is now underemployed.
My point is, many people are not "technically" out of a job, but the hours they are working have been cut back or the number of contracts/orders has been dramatically slashed. Underemployment is now becoming a fairly big problem IMHO. Consumer spending makes up 3/4 of the economy so that indirectly has an impact on everyone when retail stores shut down, and many people ratchet down overall spending on non-discretionary items.
Last edited by GraniteStater; 03-02-2009 at 11:33 PM..
Sorry, I didn't mean to come of harsh. I would suggest expanding on this thread with a new related thread. You could include options ranging from "indirectly impacted" which could mean 1) House has depreciated in value, 2) 401K has been impacted, 3) Total work hours have decreased, 4) A decrease in annual pay 5) A final good question would be if an individual is now underemployed.
My point is, many people are not "technically" out of a job, but the hours they are working have been cut back or the number of contracts/orders has been dramatically slashed. Underemployment is now becoming a fairly big problem IMHO. Consumer spending makes up 3/4 of the economy so that indirectly has an impact on everyone when retail stores shut down, and many people ratchet down overall spending on non-discretionary items.
You were'nt harsh at all, i'm all for constructive dialogue.
I was impatient in developing the poll, anxious for the result i suppose.
Your input is appreciated. Thanks for the context.
My husband got laid off a month ago so yeah it has effected us...I am a SAHM....if he didn't get laid off then it wouldn't have effected me other than cutting back on spending. What kills me is that DH didn't get laid off by a company doing terrible in this recession but more because of outsourcing.
I think EVERYONE is affected (well, less those in the DC bubble). Even if you still have a job or are doing fine economically, it's the psychological damage that's the equalizer, so to speak.
I think in some way we are "all" affected or will be affected by this downturn.
1. If you are still working you may have to worry about losing your job, your pension, your 401K, or the amount of your pay.
2. If you are retired and living on a fixed income prices have gone up. Food is more expensive, utilities are more expensive, and interest rates are pitiful.
3. If you have credit cards your interest rate might go up and your credit limit might go down affecting your FICO score which in turn affects your chances of getting a loan.
Houses have gone down in value almost across the board so if you bought in the last 5 years or took out a home equity you most likely lost some value.
If you were in the stock market whether it is a pension or 401K you most likely took a hit.
Where can you make money now if you are retired? Everyday expenses have gone up and the ability to earn money from interest is pitiful.
Need a new car? The prices are insane and this from companies that are in trouble.
To those that say this hasn't affected you I'm glad you have no mortgage, no credit cards, no loans of any kind, and you have at least 8 months of expenses in the bank. You are the few and the lucky but I think most are not so lucky. I am thankful to be debt free but I still cringe at the cost of things.
SS gives annual raises and so do many pensions. There are those who've lived below their income (and can still save with SS and pension). They should be OK. The gamut of income for retirees is wide-ranging. I was surprised to read some of the incomes in the CD Retirement forum.
But I think it's a damn dirty shame what many people have to go through - through no fault of their own. Heartbreaking.
Wow..the overwhelming majority is doing just fine; the economic conditions today have had "zero" affect on them.
These people don't worry about their job ?
These people don't worry about the banks that have their money ?
These people don't worry about their retirement (401k, pension) ?
These people are not worried about their future ? (more deflation or worse inflation/hyperinflation)
These people are not worred about the future direction of America ? (nationalization of public companies)
IMHO..these people are in denial.
Yes those working worry about their jobs.
Credit unions are somewhat safer than your big banks.
Some didn't have or use the option of a 401k pension - but another type.
Many people downsize and can/will buy a cheaper house after selling a bigger one.
Future direction - in my opinion - is as has always been. People confuse the measures that are being taken at the moment to help the economy as permanent actions. I believe these measures are temporary until the economy improves.
Depressing, I don't get it. Almost 2/3 has said that everything is great and the economy has not affected them at all.
You're in Las Vegas, hasn't the RE market super tanked there? That would color your interpretation, as would being laid off. Maybe it's not as bad, for the 90% still employed, as the conventional wisdom makes it. Which was true in the early 80's, too. Unemployment was @ 12% but that meant employment was 88%.
it certainly would be depressing if the survey was in any way representative of actual numbers. there are about 300 million people so that would be 100 million people affected. i hope the 2/3 that aren't affected care about the 1/3 who are affected.....
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, I don't get it. Almost 2/3 has said that everything is great and the economy has not affected them at all.
