The Economy - your take

[Cigalert]

A pretty easy pulse check is, check out your favorite restaurant on a Fri or Sat night. We hit 3 last Friday and had a hell of a time getting a table. Waits were longer than 1hr.

6mos-1yr ago there were no waits.

Don't get me wrong, I love being busy but am I making any money making money? And, if these current numbers are full of crap, I let some people go and now I'm sitting in an EDD hearing about wrongful termination. I'm too pessimistic for this topic.

[Stainless]

A pretty easy pulse check is, check out your favorite restaurant on a Fri or Sat night. We hit 3 last Friday and had a hell of a time getting a table. Waits were longer than 1hr.

6mos-1yr ago there were no waits.

Very good way to see the pulse!

[The Doctor]

Well more than 1/2 of my business is with investors who have been nearly non-existent for the past four years but they are getting sick and tired of less than 1% interest in the bank, stock markets that rise and crash like waves on the beach and unstable commodities that they are venturing back into undervalued real estate which is still plentiful. Those of us who were capable of riding the storm through have the potential to do well as a result of staying that course.

My summary is this:
We have figured out how to survive IN SPITE OF national economic distress. There's always ways for the hard working and intelligent folks to make an honest buck.

[Zander]

My humble opinion...

To many damn taxes in Sweden!

I still study, living of my dad and saving money for a proper boat! Phantom 21 or 20
And the gas price is fecking high... Converted to USD, one gallon costs 8.8 USD atm...

There! I will stop complaining now LoL.

[Wendi]

Well more than 1/2 of my business is with investors who have been nearly non-existent for the past four years but they are getting sick and tired of less than 1% interest in the bank, stock markets that rise and crash like waves on the beach and unstable commodities that they are venturing back into undervalued real estate which is still plentiful. Those of us who were capable of riding the storm through have the potential to do well as a result of staying that course.

My summary is this:
We have figured out how to survive IN SPITE OF national economic distress. There's always ways for the hard working and intelligent folks to make an honest buck.

Doc are you in the distressed RE business?

[Wendi]

My humble opinion...

To many damn taxes in Sweden!

I still study, living of my dad and saving money for a proper boat! Phantom 21 or 20
And the gas price is fecking high... Converted to USD, one gallon costs 8.8 USD atm...

There! I will stop complaining now LoL.

Wow Zander cost of living over there is expensive. I hope you get your boat soon!!!

[HB Vic]

My summary is this:
We have figured out how to survive IN SPITE OF national economic distress. There's always ways for the hard working and intelligent folks to make an honest buck.

Without getting political, I totally agree. I don't care who's "steering" the ship, I'm not along for the ride. I'll make my own waves thank you very much

[CarolynandBob]

Kinda tough to answer. I have been kinda of a saver most of my life. I have been a big believer in balance and common sense. We do what ever we want to do and enjoy life but with common sense. We have desert toys. A few quads, jeep and a flat bed trailer. We have a blast when we go and have a big group we hang with. I would like to have a big enclosed trailer to keep it all in, but do not think it is a wise purchase. You get the idea.

I guess the biggest change we have made is going out to eat. We use to go 3-4 times a week to nice restaurants. Not fast food. Now we go once a week or so. It is not that we can't afford it, but just figured I can cook the steak just as good at home. We also tip less when we go. Use to ALWAYS tip 20% or more and now never more than 15%. The extra taxes I have to pay must come from somewhere.

My mentality is to stockpile as much cash as possible without altering our lifestyle to much. I plan to be prepared for anything our effed up government throws at us.

[rschap1]

I feel like statistics and reports are constantly being sugar coated and there is some level impending doom lurking inside the REAL numbers.
Personally things are doing well for me and my family, the local area seems to be picking up slowly, very slowly.
I think an again, VERY slow turn around is just starting to happen IN SPITE of policies and tactics being placed upon us.

[Singleton]

Just sat through a global economic presentation and the group (The Economic Institute) presenting is forecasting steady growth at a very small number (less than 4%) for the next 4 to 5 years. Shit hits the fan in 2020 when medical and social security really kicks in for baby bummers if nothin is done to government spending.