smshirk
30th November 2008, 11:29
I was wondering how the economy is affecting life in general in other parts of the world. I am 55, and have not seen anything like what is happening here. Restaurants are empty, except for Mcdonalds, and cheaper places like that. All the department stores, like Macy's are not selling clothes, home furnishings, and such, but Walmart, a huge discount store is booming. Cars are dirt cheap, both new and used. The only thing selling here are Huyndais, Hondas, and used small economy cars. Many of my friends are being laid off from their jobs, mostly large companies with pension plans and good benefits. We hear on the news that the rest of the world is doing worse than we are, but one cannot trust the news agencies to report what is actually happening. We do get some BBC news from Britain, but even that is Americanized.
I am just curious really. I have done OK for myself, though I'm not wealthy, I am comfortable and had the good sense and good luck to get my investments into cash positions about a year ago. I watch the stock markets around the world, but that doesn't really reflect life on the street. Since I know nothing about life outside our sheltered U.S.anyway, your opinions would be most valuable to me. By the way, I love your cars, and enjoy the new forum immensely. I am most excited about the world view, and world communications. Rennlist and Pelican is mostly just us rednecks in the states, and I don't mean that in a negative way. I assign no negative connotation to the redneck term. I was raised in the state of Tennessee over here. For those of you who know little about the U.S., it is one of the more backward areas. Even today it is not uncommon to see people at checkout lines who cannot write checks. The clerks do it for them and the customer makes his "mark" You would think that went out 100 or more years ago, but still happens in the towns nearest the mountain communities.
I have four Porsches which are worth half or less than they were a few months ago. Not that it matters, because I don't care to sell any of them. I wish my 968 were a coupe rather than a cab since I have the Boxster, and an absolutely cherry 1990 Miata. Not a Porsche, but lots of fun factor on the twisties. I may supercharge or turbo charge it someday, but perhaps not.
I am just curious really. I have done OK for myself, though I'm not wealthy, I am comfortable and had the good sense and good luck to get my investments into cash positions about a year ago. I watch the stock markets around the world, but that doesn't really reflect life on the street. Since I know nothing about life outside our sheltered U.S.anyway, your opinions would be most valuable to me. By the way, I love your cars, and enjoy the new forum immensely. I am most excited about the world view, and world communications. Rennlist and Pelican is mostly just us rednecks in the states, and I don't mean that in a negative way. I assign no negative connotation to the redneck term. I was raised in the state of Tennessee over here. For those of you who know little about the U.S., it is one of the more backward areas. Even today it is not uncommon to see people at checkout lines who cannot write checks. The clerks do it for them and the customer makes his "mark" You would think that went out 100 or more years ago, but still happens in the towns nearest the mountain communities.
I have four Porsches which are worth half or less than they were a few months ago. Not that it matters, because I don't care to sell any of them. I wish my 968 were a coupe rather than a cab since I have the Boxster, and an absolutely cherry 1990 Miata. Not a Porsche, but lots of fun factor on the twisties. I may supercharge or turbo charge it someday, but perhaps not.