The 2nd Great Depression is Here

I know that in our famioly the month seems to eat up the money much faster than it used to. Over the last 5 years we have lowered our expenses and standard of living considerably. We went through the job losses over the last 5 years, but were fortunate enough to keep landing on our feet. How can I say it is the 2nd Great Depression? Simply because we have seen much of the same as the first great depression. People losing houses, cars, possession, downsizing, moving in with family and scrambling to make it on their ages. Has anyone else noticed that the police seem to find many little things to catch people breaking the law, and give them a huge fine. Does it seem right to nail someone for a several hundred dollar ticket for speeding. It seems to me that the government agencies are also scrambling to get more money out of you and me. Seat belt tickets, give me a break! Note: No I have not had any tickets for a long time, but many I know have. It seems that I know a lot of people on food stamps. That's the only reason there are lines at soup kitchens, like in the last great depression..

Dad Gave Pretty Good Advice

Most of us, looking back, would have to admit that our dads gave us pretty good advice when it came to money. Why was that? I think it was because they had already either been down the wrong road when it came to money or they were smart enough to observe others and stay off the paths of destruction.

My dad was raised by a single mom during the great depression of 1929. His father had abandoned the family leaving my grandmother to care for a family of 4 kids.

Dad told me his childhood memories of slogging through the Kansas snowbanks hunting squirrels and rabbits for food. His first car was a compilation of several junkyard model A parts to make up a running auto.

My dad always said if it costs more than $5,000 dollars it better have a foundation under it. This, of course, was back when a new car was about $5,000 dollars. He was definately not in favor of borrowing money. One could never accuse my dad of acting real spiritual, but he had learned well the old proverb that the borrower becomes the lenders slave.

The older my dad got the more he hated debt. Thing is, the older I get the more I hate debt. Funny how that works, isn't it?