OT - Economy Poll Regarding YOU and only YOU

[200lbhockeyplayer]

The poll results are shocking to me. Just shocking, and I am guessing that some people aren't being as honest either with the poll, or with themselves.

I'm not expecting great despair, but to me this poll screams overconfidence...and that's shocking to me.

 

[rctdw]

I voted yes because I work for pontoon boat Company in michigan.With all of the jobs being lost people aren't really buying any boats right now. In the past we would normally build between 5-8 boats a day.now we are building just a couple a month we have been going in for a week building what we could then get laid off for about 3 weeks.
So yes the economy has drastically effected my income and i have had to make several Sacrifices.


Thanks
Ryan

 

[pujolsthomefan33]

The poll results are shocking to me. Just shocking, and I am guessing that some people aren't being as honest either with the poll, or with themselves.

I'm not expecting great despair, but to me this poll screams overconfidence...and that's shocking to me.

Why is it shocking....I kind of figured it would be like this. Unless you have been laid off or your company is failing or your home is in foreclosure, I doubt that the economic woes are affecting you that much. Prices are much lower, many are refinancing their homes and getting a lower % rate, which equals more money in the pocketbook, and government handouts and stimulus packages are making it easier for people to do things on the governments dime rather than their own.


I didnt really expect the people that are 20K in debt, w/o a job, and about to lose thier home to be posting on this site and participating too much in this poll...I would hope and assume they have far more important things to be doing and worrying about.


I might catch some heat for these comments, and in no way I am trying to belittle or make light of a person's situation. I feel bad for what a lot of people are going through, and I have family members that are going through it, but that does not change or affect anything that I do or spend my money on right now.


TK

 

[notoriousrmb]

The poll results are shocking to me. Just shocking, and I am guessing that some people aren't being as honest either with the poll, or with themselves.

I'm not expecting great despair, but to me this poll screams overconfidence...and that's shocking to me.

Why is it shocking....I kind of figured it would be like this. Unless you have been laid off or your company is failing or your home is in foreclosure, I doubt that the economic woes are affecting you that much. Prices are much lower, many are refinancing their homes and getting a lower % rate, which equals more money in the pocketbook, and government handouts and stimulus packages are making it easier for people to do things on the governments dime rather than their own.


I didnt really expect the people that are 20K in debt, w/o a job, and about to lose thier home to be posting on this site and participating too much in this poll...I would hope and assume they have far more important things to be doing and worrying about.


I might catch some heat for these comments, and in no way I am trying to belittle or make light of a person's situation. I feel bad for what a lot of people are going through, and I have family members that are going through it, but that does not change or affect anything that I do or spend my money on right now.


TK

I'd have to agree here again. I understand some of us are having a hard time right now, and to those of you I am sorry and truly hope better things are coming your way.

That being said, the results of this poll are EXACTLY what I thought I would see. I'm not disagreeing with the statistics and facts, but I do believe the media is making this out to be much worse than what is actually going on out there. For the most part, the average family seems to be doing alright for themselves. As I said before, I do not know a single person personally who is suffering from the "bad economy" that we hear about to no end!

As was stated, most likely those people are not posting on a baseball card chat board, but in general I think the assumption that we are all down in the crapper is simply not true.

 

[mredsox89]

The poll results are shocking to me. Just shocking, and I am guessing that some people aren't being as honest either with the poll, or with themselves.

I'm not expecting great despair, but to me this poll screams overconfidence...and that's shocking to me.

Why is it shocking....I kind of figured it would be like this. Unless you have been laid off or your company is failing or your home is in foreclosure, I doubt that the economic woes are affecting you that much. Prices are much lower, many are refinancing their homes and getting a lower % rate, which equals more money in the pocketbook, and government handouts and stimulus packages are making it easier for people to do things on the governments dime rather than their own.


I didnt really expect the people that are 20K in debt, w/o a job, and about to lose thier home to be posting on this site and participating too much in this poll...I would hope and assume they have far more important things to be doing and worrying about.


I might catch some heat for these comments, and in no way I am trying to belittle or make light of a person's situation. I feel bad for what a lot of people are going through, and I have family members that are going through it, but that does not change or affect anything that I do or spend my money on right now.


TK

I'd have to agree here again. I understand some of us are having a hard time right now, and to those of you I am sorry and truly hope better things are coming your way.

That being said, the results of this poll are EXACTLY what I thought I would see. I'm not disagreeing with the statistics and facts, but I do believe the media is making this out to be much worse than what is actually going on out there. For the most part, the average family seems to be doing alright for themselves. As I said before, I do not know a single person personally who is suffering from the "bad economy" that we hear about to no end!

As was stated, most likely those people are not posting on a baseball card chat board, but in general I think the general assumption that we are all in the crapper is simply not true.

well the media seems to base their opinions on the stock market, which is not necessarily a view of the current times, but rather people's predictions of the future

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

The poll results are shocking to me. Just shocking, and I am guessing that some people aren't being as honest either with the poll, or with themselves.

I'm not expecting great despair, but to me this poll screams overconfidence...and that's shocking to me.

Why is it shocking....I kind of figured it would be like this. Unless you have been laid off or your company is failing or your home is in foreclosure, I doubt that the economic woes are affecting you that much. Prices are much lower, many are refinancing their homes and getting a lower % rate, which equals more money in the pocketbook, and government handouts and stimulus packages are making it easier for people to do things on the governments dime rather than their own.


I didnt really expect the people that are 20K in debt, w/o a job, and about to lose thier home to be posting on this site and participating too much in this poll...I would hope and assume they have far more important things to be doing and worrying about.


I might catch some heat for these comments, and in no way I am trying to belittle or make light of a person's situation. I feel bad for what a lot of people are going through, and I have family members that are going through it, but that does not change or affect anything that I do or spend my money on right now.


TK

I'm assuming that at least 25% of the people here have investments in the stock market, 401Ks, etc...and most of us have seem those figures halved.

To me that's clearly not "No - I see no personal changes".

Personally, I don't believe that any industry is safe from the future.

 

[ChasHawk]

Well 18% + 14% = 32%

So, I believe that fits

 

[brouthercard]

Anyone who has a computer and has an active internet service who can spend time chatting on a message board and who can afford to buy baseball cards during a time of economic crisis is obviously not in any financial dire straits.

You are preaching to the wrong crowd, my friends, most everyone here is loaded and doing well financially.

You must consider the study group when taking these polls- those who are in major financial trouble have baseball cards as the LAST thing on their minds.....

 

[notoriousrmb]

I'm assuming that at least 25% of the people here have investments in the stock market, 401Ks, etc...and most of us have seem those figures halved.

To me that's clearly not "No - I see no personal changes".

Personally, I don't believe that any industry is safe from the future.

Investments in the stock market are simply that, investments. They will see highs and lows and everything in between. As bad as it is now, I'm sure we will see a day when we are all rejoicing at our retirement funds. The only people this affects are those who are retiring in the near future, not those of us in our 20's, 30's and 40's who will be adding to our 401K's for the next 20-30 years.

My 401K is inthe crapper. But do I see a personal change? Absolutely not, because I have a long ways to go before I access that money. For now it is simply an investment that is performing poorly for the short term - much like my Colby Rasmus cards.

 

[brouthercard]

I'm assuming that at least 25% of the people here have investments in the stock market, 401Ks, etc...and most of us have seem those figures halved.

To me that's clearly not "No - I see no personal changes".

Personally, I don't believe that any industry is safe from the future.

Investments in the stock market are simply that, investments. They will see highs and lows and everything in between. As bad as it is now, I'm sure we will see a day when we are all rejoicing at our retirement funds. The only people this affects are those who are retiring in the near future, not those of us in our 20's, 30's and 40's who will be adding to our 401K's for the next 20-30 years.

My 401K is inthe crapper. But do I see a personal change? Absolutely not, because I have a long ways to go before I access that money. For now it is simply an investment that is performing poorly for the short term - much like my Colby Rasmus cards.

Also, you must remember WHO puts money in stocks- RICH people.

If you don't have money, the stock market won't affect you because you don't have any stocks in the first place.

 

[pujolsthomefan33]

I'm assuming that at least 25% of the people here have investments in the stock market, 401Ks, etc...and most of us have seem those figures halved.

To me that's clearly not "No - I see no personal changes".

Personally, I don't believe that any industry is safe from the future.

Investments in the stock market are simply that, investments. They will see highs and lows and everything in between. As bad as it is now, I'm sure we will see a day when we are all rejoicing at our retirement funds. The only people this affects are those who are retiring in the near future, not those of us in our 20's, 30's and 40's who will be adding to our 401K's for the next 20-30 years.

My 401K is inthe crapper. But do I see a personal change? Absolutely not, because I have a long ways to go before I access that money. For now it is simply an investment that is performing poorly for the short term - much like my Colby Rasmus cards.

BINGO!!! Took the words right out of my mouth. Even the people retiring right now, if they invested properly the 20%-30% loss they saw in the last 6 months, they should still have enough through their other investments, social security, etc........think of it this way, they make up that loss with social security benefits that I wont have when I retire, and not only that, I am funding it for them and will continue to do so, even though I will never see a dime unless I become injured or disabled or something like that.


TK

 

[BunchOBull]

I've not had a steady income since November. In the end, my lifestyle has changed a lot, but much of that has been by choice, and things are still really good as compared to a lot of people. My future wife is a Registered Dietitian at a hospital ranked in the top 3 percentile in the nation...in the last 3 months she received a bonus for the hospital being under budget for the year...that helped...on top of that, an 8 percent raise...that REALLY helped.

Though I've not had a steady income, and my collecting habits have wound down substantially, I've always made a habit of saving 25% of my net income. That being the case, I've had money to spend if I've really needed/wanted to, but my fiancé’s salary pays our bills and then some. I've always been frugal with my collecting habits, only purchasing solid deals, but I've certainly cut back by more than half. My social habits have been cut back a lot. Less going out for drinks, less travel, less eating out...the usual.

2008 was not kind to me, however; I lost nearly $40k in investments and earned commissions after my company filed bankruptcy. While that's a lot, I know there are people who have lost a lot less and who are in much larger holes than I myself am in. For that, I am lucky.

As of now, I'm unemployed, but enrolled in an Alternative Teaching Certification program. Having a strong science background has actually helped in this regard. I can basically choose the school I want to work at because of my research experience and there is a signing bonus for math and science profs to boot. While the salary is still more than a 1/3rd pay cut as compared to my old position's base salary (before commission), teaching is about as stable of a boat to ride through the economic downturn as I'll find, and the network I build should be fairly interwoven.

I like the idea of long summer vacations too! My only goal is that I can pick up some projects from time to time that will supplement my income. If I don't no big deal, but I'm 25 and my goal is to have saved my first million by 30. The only thing I can save right now is the interest I'm earning.

 

[notoriousrmb]

Well, not all 401K's and retirement plans feature stocks. I would not consider myself rich by any means, yet my company still contributed to my 401K plan made up of mutual funds and cash.

 

[mchenrycards]

The economy has not affected me much. I am the only one working in my family as my wife hasnt returned to work since being struck with breast cancer 5 years ago. I make enough to make most ends meet but not enough for anything extra!! And I mean nothing extra. So since I still have my job the economy has not affected me at all. Thankfully we dont have alot of large bills other than rent and a car payment and hopefully soon my wife will be working. If she goes back to work we will be in a better position than 5 years ago!!.

 

[bballcardkid]

I voted no for me, however my brother has lost about $60K in his 401K, plus he works at Toyota so the 15 years he has put in so far is the only thing giving him anything along the lines of job security.

 

[pujolsthomefan33]

I've not had a steady income since November. In the end, my lifestyle has changed a lot, but much of that has been by choice, and things are still really good as compared to a lot of people. My future wife is a Registered Dietitian at a hospital ranked in the top 3 percentile in the nation...in the last 3 months she received a bonus for the hospital being under budget for the year...that helped...on top of that, an 8 percent raise...that REALLY helped.

Though I've not had a steady income, and my collecting habits have wound down substantially, I've always made a habit of saving 25% of my net income. That being the case, I've had money to spend if I've really needed/wanted to, but my fiancé’s salary pays our bills and then some. I've always been frugal with my collecting habits, only purchasing solid deals, but I've certainly cut back by more than half. My social habits have been cut back a lot. Less going out for drinks, less travel, less eating out...the usual.

2008 was not kind to me, however; I lost nearly $40k in investments and earned commissions after my company filed bankruptcy. While that's a lot, I know there are people who have lost a lot less and who are in much larger holes than I myself am in. For that, I am lucky.

As of now, I'm unemployed, but enrolled in an Alternative Teaching Certification program. Having a strong science background has actually helped in this regard. I can basically choose the school I want to work at because of my research experience and there is a signing bonus for math and science profs to boot. While the salary is still more than a 1/3rd pay cut as compared to my old position's base salary (before commission), teaching is about as stable of a boat to ride through the economic downturn as I'll find, and the network I build should be fairly interwoven.

I like the idea of long summer vacations too! My only goal is that I can pick up some projects from time to time that will supplement my income. If I don't no big deal, but I'm 25 and my goal is to have saved my first million by 30. The only thing I can save right now is the interest I'm earning.

That is probably the greatest post I have read on here in a long time. Kudos to you for wanting to save a million by 30 and though you may have a pay cut now, the teaching job is very steady and can turn into a good job as you move up the ladder. I am assuming your benefits for you and your wife are very good.
Just because you have taken it on the chin from the current economy doesnt mean you have to take it lying down. It will all pay off handsomely for you that you didnt have to dip into your savings etc...

TK

 

[lordsepic]

poll will be a bit in favor of no with all the high school and college kids on here

 

[ChasHawk]

The economy has not affected me much. I am the only one working in my family as my wife hasnt returned to work since being struck with breast cancer 5 years ago. I make enough to make most ends meet but not enough for anything extra!! And I mean nothing extra. So since I still have my job the economy has not affected me at all. Thankfully we dont have alot of large bills other than rent and a car payment and hopefully soon my wife will be working. If she goes back to work we will be in a better position than 5 years ago!!.

McHenry IL ? Do you go to Dreams and Heroes?

 

[tide12champrings]

Go Army! HOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

 

[Bill Menard]

I work in health care. I'll never make a ton of money in this field, but I also know I'll probably never have to look for a job either if I don't want to. People will always need medical care no matter what the state of the economy is.