Is It Our Patriotic Duty To Live Beyond Our Means To Bring The US Economy Out Of Recession?

By Heather, CPA (Balance With Purpose)

My opinion? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

In a time of recession the federal government has attempted to stimulate the economy with the following:

1. Economic Stimulus Payment
2. Incentive for Americans to purchase autos, like the famous “Cash for Clunkers”
3. First-time home buyers rebate
4. Lower interest rates

If consumers were over-extended in the first place, is it a good thing to encourage the same consumers to spend any amount they receive from the Federal government? Possibly even encourage over-spending just to stimulate the economy?

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The Recession Is Over? And Financial Principles To Live By

By Heather, CPA (Balance With Purpose)

We have all felt the down economy in one way or another, whether it’s through loss of a job, a pay freeze, drop in value of stock portfolios, or increased expenses.

According to a NY Times article dated October 16, 2009 titled, "By Some Reliable Measures, Recession is Over," the recession is in the past. Don’t you want to leap for joy at hearing that headline? No? Me neither. Why? Because I’m skeptical.

I actually heard the news of the recession being over while I rushed around the house one morning last week getting my family ready for the day and trying to get myself out the door for work. That very same day I learned that a dear friend of mine’s husband lost his job.

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