There are so many opinions out there on the impending collapse, doom and financial failure that it makes you want to pull the covers over your head, drink cocoa and watch "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" over and over and over. We're exhausted, confused, overstimulated by switching to Fox, CNN and NBC so as to miss commercials (which are mostly timed - damn them) that our heads are spinning. We've talked to family members, thought about stashing cash, tried to buy some silver and gold and bury it in the yard and had countless other Armageddon thoughts of fire and destruction.
We're tired, hungry and poor. We're disappointed in both parties and somehow with all that's happened in the past week who really cares about the debates? Wait...I do, but that's just me. I love a good train wreck as much as the next rubber-necker. All I can suggest is that we take a look at history for a moment. Every 10 years or so, it's something like this that threatens our very way of life in this country. Remember the savings and loan scandals? Remember the gas crisis and the schmucks who were trying to sell Mr. Middleclass a share in an oil well? There is always a scheme, and when there is a scheme, we're always there to sniff around and if we like the scent jump in and try to get a piece. We were misled. We figured stated income loans and free money was the new way of the future. We were wrong. Painfully wrong. We were misled...but we still jumped in which means we were guilty too. Now we're paying for it. I don't know if this bailout is the right move, I really don't. It's a hair too complicated for me to understand all of its nuances.
This much I know though...stop charging crap on your cards. Payoff as much debt as you can. Tighten the belt. Our Paris Hilton days of spending are behind us for now...that is until the next ponzi scheme comes around and we forget about all of this and jump in again. Someday, hopefully, we'll get it right and realize the only way to really make it is to roll up our sleeves, buy what we can afford and work to earn that Jaguar. (Note: Buy the Jag used. You can find S-Type Jags from 2003 all day long for about $12k. See? I just saved you $30,000!)
