Welcome the New Year. 2008 was crazy wasn’t it? Outrageous gas prices, housing market bubble burst, elections, bailouts for failing businesses, etc. We all know, we were all there. All I have to say is “lame”.

Gee, your business is failing…aawww…too bad. Maybe it’s because you made bad business decisions. Go find a new line of work. Todays failures only set us up for the next success.

Oh, you can’t pay your house payment because it’s 50% of your take home pay….aawww…I guess you shouldn’t have taken out that second mortage to pay off your credit card debt for all that crap you bought that you probably really didn’t need.

Oh, you feel entitled to whatever you want because you think you deserve it? Well, why don’t you get off your butt and WORK for it, save for it, and pay for it…IN CASH.

Seriously, we can’t expect governement to take care of us. Do you honestly think the state can make better decisions for your own personal life than you? Do you really want them telling you what to do? Do they really know what is best for you? Do you really want to settle for what they are dishing out? …lame…

If history has proven anything, big government and big spending will not solve this mess. Only we, the American, people can pull ourselves out of this. This is a classic Roosevelt vs. Reagan economics.

Anyway, if you have been consistently smart with your money…dare I say conservative with your money, you probably are doing okay and will be just fine as those around you who haven’t been continue to crash.

Do you have your emergency fund? Are you debt free? Do you have food storage? Do you live well within your means? Are you ready for the next 4 years? Anyone who knows how the economy works should know that it goes up and down. You have to practice self control in the ups to make it through the downs. The key is to stay consistent and see the whole picture.

My wish for 2009: Let these times make us realize what is truely important in life. Recessions don’t have to be all doom and gloom. Find the positive in life. What is more important? That huge expensive cable package to watch 500 channels or finding other things to do with your family and spending real time with them?