[mitchntx]

Since about 30, I've been saving, scrimping and hoarding pennies, working 2 jobs, 3 sometimes, all so that I could retire at 55.

Everything ... mortgage, debt, housing amenities, shop, tools ... everything was set up on this idea that I could retire with reasonable comfort and then work as I wanted, when I needed and do what I liked.

The last year has seen that dream slowly dwindle into the reality that I will have to work at this stinking job till I'm a hundred and 55. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

My job is great ... been there since March of 1982. I really like what I do. Unfortunately it comes with it's share of migraine headaches, mostly with the title of Manager attached somewhere.

I was talking with a very good friend yesterday and he made some really good sense. Might as well pull all the money from market accounts and buy a new car. The drop in value couldn't be any worse.

Oh well, just thought I'd rant a while ... kind of feeling sorry for myself. So I want all of you to feel bad, too. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)

[NJSPEEDER]

My view of the situation is simple, unless you are with in 5 years of your retirement age, this market drop is a good thing.

Yes, it sucks in the short term and we are going to have a nice chunk of stagflation to deal with. The flip side is that the stocks you need to invest for retirement, those core companies that are not going out of business regardless of the economy, are all on sale right now. The average blue chipper is down nearly 10%, the dollar is gaining strength against the rest of the world in leaps and bounds, and every investment house on the planet is tripping over itself to get you to trade through them for less and less per transaction.

The current economy has it's downside, but it is all short term(2-3 years) With the bail out, the economy is going to be priming itself once for a big come back as soon as the banks get done buying each other(that will last another year or so).

The moral of the story, if you have a few extra pennies around, your investment strategy should be BUY BUY BUY.

-Tim

[mitchntx]

My view of the situation is simple, unless you are with in 5 years of your retirement age, this market drop is a good thing.

-Tim

Thanks Tim ... you just deepened my depression.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Damn this single story home ... no windows to jump out of. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[trackbird]

Damn this single story home ... no windows to jump out of. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

You can try it, if you're lucky you might twist an ankle. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Yea, I'm wanting out of here too and I'm stuck in a job I now hate with a house I can't give away. Guess that's life. I've actually been back thinking about selling the Camaro (again), this time it would come with an Alan Blaine cage kit (unless it gets here and I get it installed soon). I'm feeling the urge for a change, not sure when and where, but I'm thinking it may involve a new job and a new city. Of course the job market sucks right now too.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

[cccbock]

Damn this single story home ... no windows to jump out of. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

You can try it, if you're lucky you might twist an ankle. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Yea, I'm wanting out of here too and I'm stuck in a job I now hate with a house I can't give away. Guess that's life. I've actually been back thinking about selling the Camaro (again), this time it would come with an Alan Blaine cage kit (unless it gets here and I get it installed soon). I'm feeling the urge for a change, not sure when and where, but I'm thinking it may involve a new job and a new city. Of course the job market sucks right now too.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

I'll toss in a change up here. (note tongue firmly in cheek here)

Im thinking about changing my race car back into a street car...its more fun & gets better mileage and its way cooler than a pick up truck. Plus the insurance and upkeep is way cheaper. Premium Gas is dropping like a rock so I can even go fast sometimes if I want.

Then Im going to pack a big bag, as big a bag that will fit in the Camaro, and just move from one declining real estate investment to another. They are in really cool places, and I can deduct the whole trip as a business expense from my nonexistent salary this year and next....making me eligible for welfare, and food stamps. And for a change...I'll be eligible for the earned income credit instead of the AMT. Uncle Sam to the rescue again.

When my trip is over, maybe the real estate market will have bottomed out and I can retire and sell everything at huge loss and report it over the next 14 years of McDonalds paychecks so that I wont owe any taxes at all.

Then I can retire on social security at age 65 just like everybody else... just me and my 96 Camaro.

Call me nuts....but this sounds good to me

bock