Open Question: The US Economy In 2008

17 Responses to “Open Question: The US Economy In 2008”

1. kashmiri says on 1/31/08 at 9:36 am:
   

   Yes. With my Capricorn Moon (square Pluto, square Mars) and Sun Square Saturn I’ve learned that I CANNOT AFFORD to invest in my fears. I may have a lot of fears, but I have 10 times the competence than I do the fear, so…what the hell?

   I’ve pissed off more people than I can count for *refusing to deal with reality; that is to say: refused to give my attention to what might possibly go wrong.
   I’ll deal with what goes wrong…well, actually. I’ll deal with it well, I almost always do. I’m great in a crisis. Of course,

   To quote my Libra supervisor: “There’s a limit to how much you can worry in this life, you know.”

2. kashmiri says on 1/31/08 at 9:37 am:
   

   Ha ha, I love how it looks like I wrote, “I’m great in a crisis of course.” Can my ego grow anymore?
   Of course! Damn you, Mercury Rx!

3. saggal says on 1/31/08 at 10:20 am:
   

   I’m wondering if I should stop putting money into my 401k. Ughh.

   I grew up with very little, and am doing well now, so the worst case scenario for me would be going back to having enough, and not all the crap I have that I don’t need. I used to have a severe fear of being poor ever again, but now I see that my experience has prepared me for the possibility again, and I am glad to have those tools.

4. kathy says on 1/31/08 at 11:16 am:
   

   I paid off all my debt - took five years working two jobs to do it. I actually have the recommended “six month’s expenses” in a savings account that earns practically nothing. I have my 401K in the stock market because historically, the market trend has been up.

   I’ve started over a couple times in my life already - I know I can land on my feet and I trust I will weather this one as well. Like Elsa said - I managed before - I can manage again. I refuse to give in to fear. After all, it’s only money.

   At almost 60 I’ve weathered recession before. I recognize that the economy cycles - and eventually it does swing back.

   But then I’ve been accused of that “rose colored glasses” thing, so what do I know?!?

5. goatish says on 1/31/08 at 11:21 am:
   

   saggal,
   Don’t stop putting money in! If you are feeling squeamish, reallocate the funds to a money market account (most 401k’s have one). You will only be making 4% or so- but that may be better than losing money in stocks/mutual funds. I would personally do this before the November election anyway (the first of several Saturn-Uranus oppositions).

   Ray Merriman is one of the smartest guys I know when it comes to astrology/markets.
   http://www.stariq.com/marketweek.htm
   His “Forecasts for 2008″ book is well worth the money if you are interested in the topic.

6. SaDiablo says on 1/31/08 at 11:33 am:
   

   I grew up fairly poor - we had food and shelter, but that’s about it. And there have been many times in my adult life where it’s been groceries or bills, so whatever comes my way I’m prepared to cope.
   But until then, I’m not going to worry about it! I can only do the best I can with what I’m given in one day, tomorrow will resolve itself. . . tomorrow.

7. jamie says on 1/31/08 at 11:47 am:
   

   I’m in a position to hoard somewhat (but not extravagantly) and find the complete thought of it repugnant. I’ve been listening to people say, “Buy silver and gold!”, “Stockpile food and water!”, but every time I think of doing it these images of the starving, suffering masses pop into my head and I think ( In the words of David Icke ), “I’ll have some of that.”

   I cannot fathom the 20,000,000 people who will be homeless by the end of this year much less those that have not the resources to “hoard”.

   Saggal, I think most of us have been or come from where you are talking about. The thought of going “back” there does not appeal to my lower senses but, like you said, we can make it because of those inner “tools” we fashioned from this experience.

   If the day comes where food is priced out of the average person’s reach (which is “Coming to a supermarket near you soon!”) then I think I’ll just take my chances and roll once more with the “punches”.

   It’s time for a good sociatal “colonic” anyway. I’ve got way too much “crap” in my basement.

8. Nene says on 1/31/08 at 11:48 am:
   

   “Sun Square Saturn I’ve learned that I CANNOT AFFORD to invest in my fears. I may have a lot of fears, but I have 10 times the competence than I do the fear, so…what the hell?”

   Ooh, kashmiri, I have a Sun/Saturn square too and I needed to hear that. Hell, I may even print it and glue it to my monitor. Thanks!!

9. Jennifer says on 1/31/08 at 12:14 pm:
   

   As a Taurus, well, I will pretty much have to reconsider/scrap looking for a new job. I’m bored stiff with the current one, but it’s recession-proof. I don’t want to get bit in the ass the way I did last time when I had a more creative job and got laid off.

10. Avery says on 1/31/08 at 1:14 pm:
    

    Me too, Jennifer. Private-sector employment is just too volatile right now, so I’m keeping my government job for now. There are some potentially interesting lateral moves I could make right now, but this gig is too sweet to give up simply for the sake of change. I think I’m just going to cut back on expenses instead of look for a higher salary this year. But with so much emphasis in my 10th and 11th this year, something might fall in my lap due to networking? Maybe? We’ll see.

    “…focus on your competence” - and great advice per usual from Elsa!

11. wyrdling says on 1/31/08 at 1:50 pm:
    

    finishing getting my acreditation. going into a field where demand far outstrips supply. taking practical steps to go from the paying to earning interest side of the equation. do what i can. one step at a time. no sense worrying about what i can’t control.

12. Madeleine says on 1/31/08 at 5:24 pm:
    

    Perfect!!

13. Randamandar says on 1/31/08 at 7:58 pm:
    

    Pluto in Capricorn speaks to a dramatic change.

    And although this is serious, there are always positives and negatives.

    This is only the beginning of what proves to be a very difficult time for stock markets and the economy worldwide.

    We are seeing a reversal of the credit bubble that has expanded throughout Pluto in Sagittarius.

    We are going to have to go inward and check in with our gut feelings about everything.

    We need to think twice before making decisions.

    We need to use our intuition but backstop this with common sense.

    This change of environment is here to stay, so get used to it.

    We need to connect with our Saturn and get stronger.

    We need to remember to help other people every chance we get.

    Yes continue to invest in your retirement plans, but do so conservatively.

    When every one is talking about buying gold and silver, it is likely not a good time to buy it, although having some makes sense.

    Keeping some cash at home in case electronic banking goes down now and then makes sense.

    Spending less than you earn has always been important but is essential now.

    Look for personal resources that you could be using.

    Share your resources with others.

    What are your strengths, use them. Are there any hidden resources that you are not using?

    Pay attention.

    Look people in the eye.

    Ask questions!

    Remember to not take yourself so seriously.

    Remember to laugh and laugh often, laugh at your own foibles.

    Be grateful for what you have, your family your friends, your work, your coworkers.

    Make a list of all the things that you have to be grateful for.

    Write down your goals and dreams and look at them every day.

    It’s OK if your goals and dreams change, but remember to enjoy reaching your goals before setting new ones.

    Make more friends. Be friendly.

    Friends and loved ones are there to comfort you in difficult times.

    Comfort and support your friends.

    I love what Elsa wrote about not letting other peolpe rush your game.

    Play the best game you can with the hand that you are dealt.

    Call other peoples bluff.

    And when you get really good at this learn to call your own bluff.

    Elsa, thanks for the opportunity that you have provide with this blog!

    I hope this is the best year you have ever had!

    Sincerely,

14. eva says on 2/1/08 at 12:52 am:
    

    I believe that over the next twelve years, most of us will realize that America is the perpetrator of a financial lie.

    We will see that Plutocrats have been living at the top of the lie, and we have been feeding it with our beliefs that we are less than, plebians in a priviliged kingdom, in some kind of undefined endeavor that does not exist. I think all of us will see that the only real wealth we have is in our homes, our health, our relationships, our communities, and in our good, honest work in service to our neighbors.

    You don’t starve, but you do come down to Earth. Wealth is going to get redistributed. You can’t just sit around and let point four percent of your salary grow on the backs of brown women working in sweatshops in Indonesia. How can these crazy rich people at the Fed even say the word “recession” when three quarters of the whole human race in their lifetimes will live at the bottom of the worst dustbowl in creation? 401K? Are you kidding me? Not anymore. Well…not for much longer. In fact…Pluto in Capricorn? This is Industry, not just the power of management, but the power of the Worker.

    That’s what I think. That’s what I *hope*.

15. jamie says on 2/1/08 at 7:37 am:
    

    Eva, I’m definitley right there with you. I hope that you keep posting here. : )

16. Randamandar says on 2/1/08 at 6:20 pm:
    

    Eva- I liked your comments too, especially your definitions of ‘the only real wealth’

    I gave my Mom a motto ware bowl sometime ago. It was plain on the outside but inside was depicted a home in a valley and the saying, ‘There is no wealth but life.’

    It does make sense to me however to set aside something for our old age. God knows the US Government won’t be solvent enough to pay out retirement benefits when were old. I have my doubts in their ability to handle their current obligations let alone future obligations.

    And there are lot’s of ethical and socially responsible investment alternatives. These are growing in popularity and the options available are also increasing. People are really starting to put there money where their mouth is, and I think that this kind of thinking will only get stronger.

17. mudlikesubstance says on 2/2/08 at 9:13 pm:
    

    I’m covering all my bases and going back to the happiness of my childhood. Saturn in Virgo wants healthy food, right? Well, I’m ordering seeds. It’s not like I haven’t done it for the last 5 years. But this time I won’t be abandoning the garden partway through the season.

    I’m planting fruit trees and perennial veggies and seasonal veggies and saving the seeds. I’m canning and freezing and going to be able to eat the foods I grew up with. I’ve been waiting for years to have my own garden, place, and real food again.

    Not much else I have control of. Sell the car and ride the bike. That’s about all I can do, but I’m at the bottom to start with. So I don’t see it hitting me as hard as others…

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