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I gave up this post many months ago as I viewed a dismal economic recovery. I could not help but think...who cares? I felt like writing again even though we still are in economic straits, mainly because I can't believe we are actually worse than when I last wrote. Who could imagine unemployment in the 10% range of people out of work for 18 months, 24 months, or longer. It makes you wonder what would trigger an economic recovery.

In the past I didn't get into politics a whole lot in my posts, but I don't think you can look at the current economy without talking politics a little bit considering the doomed policies and overspending that have put us there.


I used to be the type of person who traded in each car every three to four years for a brand new car. I now have a seven year old car and a five year old car. Those are both old for me, but guess what...I have no interest in purchasing a new car. The last think I need right now is car payments. Thanks to healthcare reform and bailouts, I am expecting that I am going to have to start paying more in taxes to cover those expensive entitlements and bailouts (unless they've added a good fertilizer to those money trees they have in Washington, D.C. -- I mean the kind you buy in the store, not the sh** you get from politicians). I have a son planning to go to college next year too. On top of all that, my concerns about the economy, expected tax hikes, and healthcare reform have forced my husband and I to plan to spend 50% less on Christmas this year than we have in past year. I just have no confidence in what is currently happening to do anything else.

I can understand why consumer confidence is so lower. People know that employers will not increase hiring when they have the healthcare reform hanging over their heads like the Angel of Death. Ready to punish them for not providing huge benefits to all employees. That loss of money means no new hiring.


It's really sad and pathetic that politicians are so far removed from the real world that some Senators, that shall remain nameless, make comments after a vote in their state to opt out of healthcare, that the people are not saying they don't like the bill but that she didn't do a good job of explaining the bill. I'm sorry but that is the most ridiculous statement that I have ever heard and when someone is that out of touch with reality it's time to vote them out of office.
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This past Christmas, I bought an ARCHOS 605 WiFi for both of my teenage sons. Interestingly enough, it was recommended to me by someone who knows a lot about computers. I had never heard of this portable media player, but it was recommended to me as better than an iPod, which I was what I had originally intended to buy them.

The ARCHOS has been a wonderful product for them. It was less expensive than the iPod and I can choose which add-ons to buy for them. One son wanted Internet access so we bought the web browser plug-in and downloaded the free widgets with it. With the video podcast plug-in we were able to download music in different formats. There are several additional options for plug-in that we have yet to try, although I know my sons would love every option there is including one to play movies. The only downside is that as you add each plug-in, the price does get closer to what you would pay for an iPod.

While most kids are running around with iPods, my boys get to brag about having something different that works better. It has a touch screen, that they love being able to use, and I was impressed with the graphics and the amount of storage available. A nice feature that you don’t see with the iPod, is that with the ARCHOS, you can switch the setup so it will appear as a drive on your computer. That makes it easier for downloads or to remove files that you no longer want on it.

The ARCHOS is more popular in Europe than in the U.S., but you can find places online that sell it. The big chains like Best Buy have not picked up on it yet, but when they do, they will be doing consumers a big favor.

Two thumbs up from me on this product.
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First Book Written

February 10th 2009 01:26
Ok, so I haven't written in awhile, but it’s because I’ve been busy with other pursuits (not to mention the fact that the current economy is depressing even for me). As much as I thought things would start to get better, I’m just not seeing it yet. Right now President Obama is giving his speech so that means no House tonight. I look at this as a good opportunity to catch up on my blog.

So in the mean time, I decided to get my first novel completed and it’s now done. I wrote a novel that falls in the women’s fiction genre.

I’m really excited about this since I have been working on it for quite some time. I have it edited and polished. As difficult as I thought writing the novel would be, I know the hardest part comes next. Now, I’m seeking a literary agent. (Anyone know one looking for new writers?)

What I’m discovering is that this is an incredibly daunting task. Agents are very picky. Don’t get me wrong, they should be when you consider how much junk they receive. It’s just I am trying to figure out exactly the right formula for the query letter that will help them want to read more. I have a feeling a lot also depends on their mood for the day (not much I can do there).

I know you’re wondering what this has to do with my blog. Not much. But hey, like I said before, the economy is depressing so I need to focus on something else.
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A New Year With Lots of Change

December 26th 2008 14:59
I am sad to see the holidays coming to an end. It’s a time to relax and spend time with families. On the other hand, when I look at my investment portfolio (ok it’s mostly retirement investments – I’m not rich by any means), I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. We all knew that this would be a terrible season for retailers. It’s hard to miss it since we hear about it in the news daily. However, now that the shopping season is at an end, we are poised to start the new year on the right track.

We have a new president coming into office in a few weeks. I’m not going to get into politics and talk about whether or not he will do well in the position. However, the fact that we have a new president elected, and soon to be inaugurated, in and of itself brings with it a positive influence on the economy. It may be short-lived, but around the end of January, we should start to see the stock market climb in response to the change


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To Buy or Not to Buy

December 5th 2008 02:00
Ok, so a lot of people are asking: HAVE WE HIT BOTTOM ON THE STOCK MARKET YET? If we haven’t, we’re pretty darn close. I am reading many articles on websites like the Motley Fool and the Wall Street Journal which indicate that may have gotten as low as we are going to go during this economic crisis. Things may just be looking up.

I have discovered that this is a good time to invest in stocks for pennies on the dollar – literally. I have taken the move of buying a few of them. I haven’t bought enough shares to get rich, but it won’t hurt


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Out of Business

November 17th 2008 03:37
I have noticed more and more businesses are closing shop in this bad economy. Bad for them and I feel sorry for the employees, but hey I am taking advantage of those great sales. Circuit City is closing a number of stores in my area and just got a great deal on a new TV and a few other electronics. These are things I hadn’t planned to buy and probably wouldn’t in this economy, but given the deal I got I couldn’t resist.

I know this is terrible but in this economy, I have been spending more money on energy and food. This means I have had less to spend during the year on extra or luxury items. So at this point, I really need to watch for the extremely great deals


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Lose Your Job? Go Back to School

November 6th 2008 03:07
I am a big supporter of higher education. In reality, I think that it is your ticket to so many opportunities. To start it can increase your lifetime earning potential. The problem I see is that so many people think that education is not for them. I disagree.

It does take motivation and commitment to complete a degree. Your best bet is to find someone who can provide morale support. I won’t lie. There will be times when you want to quit, but think about the end rewards


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Can Government Fix Our Economy

October 21st 2008 01:52
The government is pumping a lot of money to try and correct things quickly. It’s helping a little bit. More than anything, it’s creating a perception that it’s a good thing. You don’t see the market climbing or the housing prices rising again. The stock market is still not seeing large jumps. Things are becoming more stable but it will take more time before we reach the end of this.

We turn to politicians and expect them to come up with a quick fix when things don’t go the way we want. No matter what they tell you, no one politician can really do a lot to fix the economy. Not a Democrat or a Republican


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Dreaming of the Big Bucks

October 7th 2008 00:21
Wow, what a drop in the stock market we’re seeing. For the first time in four years, we have dropped below 10,000. I remember the days when we hit 10,000 and we were hearing about the records being set. Now they are even saying that it could be another year before we see significant improvements in the economy.

I pulled my money back a few months ago and moved it into safer investments. Now I’m seeing this as being the perfect time to get back in. Sure it may go a little lower, but I’m thinking it will definitely go back up in the long term and I as a long term investor I have time to wait. Short term investors like my in-laws are sticking with their CD’s and that works too


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A Financial Crisis

September 30th 2008 02:04
The news media keeps talking about the U.S. being in a financial crisis, but are we really? Lending criteria have been tightened. That much is true. However, it is only more difficult for those that are not credit worthy. Banks are not making loans to anyone like they used to. Now, you really have to show that you can repay the loan.

Those people that show that they can repay a loan – they have a good job and good credit – are able to get what they need. They can still buy homes and cars


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