Your Personal Economic Recovery

Everyone is waiting for the economy to recover. The economy is the biggest issue on people's minds and still the biggest voting issue in the United States. People are out of jobs, out of homes, out of money, out of hope, and out of patience, but not out of debt. People are getting angry. Some have even joined the Occupy movement, occupying Wall Street and just about any place that can be occupied. About the only thing that people don't seem to want to occupy is their own mind and soul. It seems to be human nature that we want to blame others for our problems.

Just about every little kid when faced with an accusation blames a sibling. Oh, those unfortunate only children who can only blame the pets or their imaginary friends. I've always felt sorry for them. Why don't we want to take responsibility for our own actions? I don't know. Go ask a psychologist. I'm not concerned about why. I'm concerned about the fact that it happens.

If you are still reading, you probably are wondering when I'm going to get to the point. Well, here it is. I'm writing yet another blog about how you can take control of your own economic situation regardless of the national economy. I hope you don't think that means that I don't care about the national economy. I care a lot. I just don't want to write about it. Most of us don't really know enough about what makes the economy tick to really know the solutions anyway. Even if we did, we really don't have the power to do anything about it. So, why would I think that I have anything to say about this that someone else hasn't said? That is a great question.

I'm writing because: I love this subject and I don't know of any popular writer that I completely agree with. I have (for about forty years) managed to stay out of debt in every situation. People need to hear this message now more than ever. So, what do I think about the current economic situation in the US and your part in working on your personal economic recovery? Hmmm. First, I think that this is not a national crisis. Compare the U.S. Economy with most economies of the world, and it's clear that labeling our situation a crisis is like an obsessive compulsive person being afraid of a single dirty footprint on a carpet in a 10,000 square foot home. looking over the unemployment numbers on the CIA website, there is no reason to think that the U.S. Numbers are a crisis. If you look at some of the lower numbers, you can find Norway right along with Cambodia. The U.S. Is exactly the same as the European Union. I think People in developed countries, and especially the US are spoiled. I know that we hate to hear that, but having traveled in other countries, I am absolutely convinced that people in the US do not have a sense of how good they have it. according to a UN report of Human Development Index the US is tied for number 3 in the world. So, my message is that readers should stop whining. We have it pretty damn good. Sure, you may be one of the 9% without a job, I'll get to that. The fact is that the US is in nothing like a crisis.

Second, I think that even if this were a crisis, you need to take responsibility for what you can do rather than what you can't do.  Plenty of people are now and have, even in good times, worked jobs that are "below" them in order to make ends meet.  People have taken on multiple jobs in difficult times.  There are jobs out there.  I think you need to do something about it.

Third, this is a great time to reorient your plan for spending, saving and investing.  Most Americans don't have a plan, and that's a big part of the problem.  They buy what they want first, then they try to figure out how to save with what is left over.  The problem is that usually once they've spent what they want to spend, there isn't anything left.  In fact, it's highly likely that you are one of the people who have no savings or at least if you have some savings, you also have credit card debt that exceeds your savings.  I have one thing to say, "Stop it."  That's right "Just stop it."  You can do it.

So, what's in store?  I'll tell you stories about my experience managing my own financial situation without debt as well as relate stories of those I've worked with.  I'll also provide ideas for improving all areas of your financial life.  So, please keep reading.  You can take control of your personal economic recovery.