Random Thoughts: We’re Writing Off 2009 Edition…
Posted on February 19, 2009 6 Comments
In the last two weeks, I’ve noticed that people have already written off 2009. Congressmen, spokespersons, business leaders and tv personalities are all saying things won’t get better until 2010 (if that). If our government and business leaders have already written off an entire year as early as February, how are the rest of us to remain positive? Are we also supposed to write off 2009? What does that even mean? Am I just supposed to sit around waiting for some mysterious signal that things are officially on the up-and-up? No gatherings, no going out, no vacations, no celebrations… just hunker down and hope for winter to end?
While a company can write off 2009 as a down year, it’s infinitely harder to write off a year of your life. In 2009, for instance, I’m celebrating my 30th birthday, one of my best friends is getting married, my youngest brother is graduating from college and I’ve got two mini-vacations planned with friends and family. We may all face the possibility of financial setbacks this year, but that doesn’t mean life stops. Enjoy what you can, and celebrate what you have – don’t lament what you’re missing.
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My sign of the times: I found out yesterday that my cash balance plan (kind of like a pension) is being frozen for good. I didn’t quite understand the mailing I received in the mail that shared the news, so I made B read it for me (being a law student with a background in finance FINALLY came in handy!). He confirmed what I thought I read… I can keep what I have, and it will earn interest moving forward, but no more will be put in. Another casualty of the recession.
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I’m seeing lots of articles on how to have a fun, money-savings games night in your home. The formula goes like this: make some dip, pull out Scrabble and Taboo, grab some wine and yuk it up! (Really.) But lately, even those money-saving get togethers result in exasperated, anxious conversations about the economy, savings accounts and 401ks. Until a recent party I went to that featured a tournament-style couples night; eight couples competing in trivia, bags (or cornhole), beer pong and ping pong. There were point systems, losers’ brackets and payouts, but not a lot of time for our between-jobs friends to discuss their employment status. The lesson? Keep it competitive, casual and complicated to get your mind off work!
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I’ve decided I hate the word stimulus. It’s creepy and I don’t want to see it any more. Thank you.
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6 Responses to “Random Thoughts: We’re Writing Off 2009 Edition…”
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February 19th, 2009 @ 11:05 am
Nicole (sp?),
From here, it sounds like you're taking it all a bit personally. Just consider that. I would say – relax! I think there are probably motivations that biz leaders and politicos have for saying and doing the things they are. Little of it is constructive. I don't get why you'd like to what they say anyway. There are better uses of time and energy, IMO. These people are, mostly, incompetent and have convinced the public that they have a clue. (The American public SO likes to be lied to. You get the government you deserve.) Actively not listening to the people who have contributed their ineptitude to creating our current economic malaise will make you fee so much better. Try it!
2009 will be a rough year. I'm counting on it. (In fact, if you want some positive, I plan to make a lot of money on how bad this year will be, economically. It is doable.) Many people will lose lots of money, and the next shoes to drop don't even appear on most people's radar. The flip side ("good" side, if you want to use those words, or upside) is that there is opportunity to make money on this too. It's not something I recommend to just anyone and everyone, but it is entirely doable for those willing to learn and grow.
I mean, the reality is what it is. Avoiding it seems like a misuse of energy. However, getting sucked into does no one any good either. That's where the planning and thought comes in. Handle the things you need to handle, and then you don't worry about the rest.
I know for me, I plan to get another 6 snowboarding sessions before mid March. Sometime this year, I will take a trip to Aruba FINALLY! And maybe start working on getting my motorcycle license. Plus my workouts are going great, and I have tons to be grateful for, and I am. I've got things to sort on the life/finance side, mostly some debt, but I have a plan and I'm working it. That's what to do. If your plan is well thought out, flexible and fits you, all the other worrying and getting caught up in the crisis is just a psyche game you're playing on yourself.
I won't, and would never, say stop thinking about the world around you. Just don't allow yourself to be swept away in it. I've found far more to laugh at than to cry about in the last year, but that's a choice. (Well, and because humans are really funny, just watching them. Human absurdity is astonishing and priceless. FREE entertainment.)
And remember:
"Life is a tragedy for those who feel,
and a comedy for those who think." —
Jean De La Bryuene & Horace Walpole
Okie, I go now!
February 19th, 2009 @ 3:00 pm
I agree with Nicole. I’ve heard lots of people speaking in such a way as to write off 2009. How unfortunate this is, and how hard it is not to be impacted by their words at times, even when we want to feel better about things. Nicole’s thoughts about the situation, of course, do not mean that she sees life as a tragedy; she has written about many wonderful events that will take place in her life this year. I find that her post reflects what many of us are thinking *and* feeling now, and I appreciate her insight.
February 19th, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
I also hate the word stimulus. I read it every day and it is getting on my nerves!
February 19th, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
I currently live abroad and purposely don’t catch up too much on the news in the US because it is such a downer right now. It’s tough. We all know it’s tough. But, most people are surviving. And, if most Americans looked at the standard of living in most of the world, even a 10% reduction in what we’re all used to is still heads above the way most people in the world live. It’s where you choose to focus that will lead to a change in perspective. We all wish there was a magic pill or some insurance that things will change quickly but it’s not going to. We can just keep working and get through it.
Jerry
http://www.leads4insurance.com
February 28th, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
Hunkering down once in a while isn’t all bad either. One way to cut expenses for say the electric bill that went up this year is to take one less vacation. Spend time with family/friends at home doing something free like a board game rather than going out. Also remember that fortunes can be made in down economies. Enjoy the ride!
December 6th, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
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