tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601819916630680133.post1166808162359541360..comments2024-01-23T23:07:00.959-08:00Comments on GRACEful Retirement: For Grace It's Good; For The Economy, Not So MuchGrace.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03557395027685855901noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601819916630680133.post-49272906786239423732009-02-24T08:02:00.000-08:002009-02-24T08:02:00.000-08:00There's a difference between debt and consumer spe...There's a difference between debt and consumer spending. We live, after all, by choice in a capitalist economy. Capitalism relies on consumer spending to survive, its the way the economy functions. so yes, savings is good, no debt is good. But one of the reasons our economy is suffering is because everyone stopped doing any comsumer spending all at the same time. If you want an economy that doesnt rely on spending, find a socialist country.Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15195838412173806659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601819916630680133.post-5247316573771417712009-02-24T07:35:00.000-08:002009-02-24T07:35:00.000-08:00I, too, was somewhat disturbed by this article. D...I, too, was somewhat disturbed by this article. Didn't make any sense to me. I will continue to save, save, and save again. I believe debt got us into this mess, and further debt would not help. Not sure why an article like that would be printed. Doesn't hold too much fact if you ask me.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13940623529019637336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601819916630680133.post-23567906102848756522009-02-23T19:36:00.000-08:002009-02-23T19:36:00.000-08:00Japan suffered a "lost decade" of economic and mar...Japan suffered a "lost decade" of economic and market stagnation in the 1990's, in part because of an aging demographic that caused a slowdown in consumer spending. Some economists believe the same scenario is now present in our economy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601819916630680133.post-24861809331630728432009-02-23T19:29:00.000-08:002009-02-23T19:29:00.000-08:00I read something else about Japan (but I can't rem...I read something else about Japan (but I can't remember whose blog it was on) that indicated Japan has yet to recover from their recession due to a variety of factors, including their banking system, international trade and the Yen. What I take from that article is that frugality is likely a symptom of the economic problems they're still facing, not the cause.<BR/><BR/>And I'm with you. If times are tough the last thing I want to do is party my way off the edge of the cliff.Shevyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12360963999613712921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5601819916630680133.post-37720245481716586532009-02-23T16:01:00.000-08:002009-02-23T16:01:00.000-08:00Grace,I'd take anything written by the NY Times wi...Grace,<BR/>I'd take anything written by the NY Times with a grain of salt. The Japanese must save their money, especially as they age. They are faced with declining government retirement benefits and MUST prepare for their own lives in old age.<BR/>Sound familiar?<BR/>The US is facing it's own Social Security and Medicare deficits.<BR/><BR/>The best line out of that article was spoken by one of the Japanese women: "All I want is a humble life." That is the most anyone could ask for. Having a humble life is one of the most fulfilling, richest experiences a person could ever have.<BR/><BR/>Keep saving your money as much as possible. The NY Times have their own ulterior motives. They're headed towards bankruptcy court within weeks. Possibly months.<BR/><BR/>SAVE!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com