Anyone else prospering during this "bad economy"?

[TallBill]

I'm paying less for consumables, my paycheck didn't go anywhere, and I'm buying into the stock market for 40% less then I could last year.

Joking aside, the economy isn't doing great right now, but are average everyday people really affected by this? If you've lost your job, then obviously, but even if unemployment is at 6.5% that means that 93.5% of us are working. I have no pity on people losing homes. It may sound calous, but it's called financial planning. I'm only 26 and if my wife and I both lost our jobs we could maintain our current standard of living for about 18 months without accruing any extra debt.

What else does the economy as a whole effect that makes life so tough right now? Getting a loan I suppose. I really crack up when I hear college students complain about the economy though.

Keep the political bs out, I don't wish to discuss what caused our situation or what will fix it or worsen it. I'd rather see this thread deleted then moved to P&N

 

[MBony]

I got a job last week. Not sure if that counts, but I am making more money than when I didn't have a job

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: MBony
I got a job last week. Not sure if that counts, but I am making more money than when I didn't have a job

And you'll pay less for gas to get there! And will get more shares in a 401k for the same price. And you can use your checks to buy a house for less.

 

[mugs]

I just took a job with a 27% raise, and I started looking because my company was getting antsy about the economy.

 

[mchammer187]

work for the government

salary has been increasing (mostly through promotions) but salary gets readjusted an automatic 3-4% every year on top of that

401K and Roth and my other stocks have been crashing and burning

but not really worried yet since i'm only 26

 

[poncherelli2]

Just expecting a lot of tax hikes- local, state, property, sales, maybe federal, who knows - to hit me. Other than that, doing alright so far.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Personal - Business is going well, company growing and getting good talent for a fraction of what I would have paid a year or two ago
Anecdotal - The company I left before starting mine laid off 10 percent of their workforce. Friends that are recent college grads 07-08 with little no work experience are having very difficult time breaking into the career they want. As a result they end up in managerial retail positions.

 

[nonameo]

I am in school and work part time. My hours have been cut drastically.

edit: its a good thing I already have enough money to get me through.

 

[nageov3t]

work is busier than ever, our investment backer (goldman sachs) is still afloat, and just about every department seems to be on the prowl for new staff, so I don't ask any questions.

 

[Kadarin]

I'm doing fine so far (knock on wood)...

 

[DaveSimmons]

My employer is debt-free and profitable, so I'm not worried about having a job to pay off all the Child's Play matching

I did put a bit more into the market last month (S&P 500 fund shares), but between Child's Play and helping mom out with some house maintenance expenses I'll have to wait until next year to do any more buying.

 

[Slew Foot]

Both the wife and I got new jobs with multiple offers and huge raises. Only a shitty economy if you're a real estate agent or Dave McCowen.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

I am getting very close to being completely debt free, consumer, car, et cetera. I got a small raise at mid-Summer, and starting in January I will be paying significantly less for my health coverage, yet it will be equal to or better than what I have now. The difference will be showing up on my paycheque.

Good thread, TallBill. I was thinking of making one in the same vein.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
My employer is debt-free and profitable, so I'm not worried about having a job to pay off all the Child's Play matching

I did put a bit more into the market last month (S&P 500 fund shares), but between Child's Play and helping mom out with some house maintenance expenses I'll have to wait until next year to do any more buying.

I don't care what anybody says, you're a good guy.

 

[Blayze]

I've cut back on some things, but so far I'm doing ok.

I do feel sorry for some people that lose their home. Not everyone goes though that because of bad planning when getting laid off from a job. Other things can happen... So far home prices haven't gone down much here, but there are a lot of homes sitting. Also a lot of new neighborhoods where construction has pretty much stopped. Loans are harder to get from what I've heard.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

My salary has increased 10 percent each year for the past two years. My position in the company is stable, however, my company is going through a tough time right now and will be laying people off at the beginning of the year. Most likely I won't be one of them - no attendance issues and I'm a supervisor that is vital to the company. At this point in my life I'm able to pretty much spend whatever I want.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Gov. job here too. I took out all of my 401k in October of 2007, right before the market started to crash. So I feel lucky for that, and to have stable employment.

 

[43st]

We are swamped with work, but the margins are down. Some investors are out, but others are covering the difference. It's too early to tell really.. things will slow down, it just hasn't hit yet. I think we are in a deflationary trend.. which will play out worse than standard inflation, as everyone is going to have to cut prices to stay in business.

We'll see how it goes.. so far minimal impact, that will change. Our market is Broadway and entertainment.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Both the wife and I got new jobs with multiple offers and huge raises.

Only a shitty economy if you're a real estate agent or Dave McCowen.

So what Industry are you and your wife in?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
Business is going well, company growing and getting good talent for a fraction of what I would have paid a year or two ago

Wages going down = going well?

 

[DnetMHZ]

I was broke before, I'm broke now.. no difference.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

People in parts of this country are going through hard times. Congrats on being in a part of hte country that is in reasonably good shape.

 

[dartworth]

Give it time...the shit hasn't hit the fan yet :/

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I got no worries, I am sure my company is too big to fail. Since I do underwriting for my company on P&C, I think I am fairly safe job security wise.

OTOH my expenses have gone up, because I am driving more (60 miles/day from 30 miles/day). I am working on paying down debt though and should be debt free except for my car by early next year.

 

[JohnCU]

i got a 21% raise this year. and my company went to 100% matching on my 401k.

oh and the interest rates on all my credit cards have fallen.