How to Invest Smarter After the Recession

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It is sad that the ways of the past have missed the people of today, living out side their means, thinking they can just charge everything with no care for tomorrow or the future...something has been lost in our nation that I am not sure will ever come back....the once strong ethic, the patriotism and honor we once had, is about gone...but the ones of us that have it left will be the ones that fight to the death, for it still, because that is what we do...the others will wail and wonder why things are so bad but they are the ones that did this is all of us...the big mouths, weak moraled, foolish thinking people, the corrupt that are too empty to know what the truth really is! Those that do, will keep struggling for the right things and the right reasons, for that is what will save us again......that and the next coming of Christ to end this greedy, cespole we call earth.......

Ruth of AZ 6:40PM April 17, 2010

Good article, Rick, and of course he's right, uncomfortable thought that is for some of us.
Survivor 1 of FL: Yes, some companies deserved to fail. However, their *employees* did not. Take GM. It employs somewhere around 70,000 people in the US alone. By your argument, never mind that many, maybe most of, those workers would have ended up unemployed. I disagree, not out of any love for head honchos who blew it, but for the working people.
Also, you asked, "What happened to no taxation without representation?" Do you vote? The people in D.C. who made it possible for things like the bailouts and the stimulus plans are elected people, or, in the case of the President, he's the elected one so we do have some influence on his appointees. Do you contact your representatives -- national, state, and local? I know way too many people who complain about "taxation without representation" who've never been in a ballot box, or contacted any representative (elected or appointed), attended a city council meeting, etc., so I'm wondering about you, too. If this doesn't apply to you, then of course you're doing what you should do, though I still don't see how you make the leap to taxation without representation.
Speaking in general now, not to anyone in particular, it's clear we've had too-high expectations (me included, BTW). I live from rental income, and I had to reduce my renter's rent (commercial) well over 20% at contract renewal time last year to keep him. Not because he's a bad guy trying to short me, but because his sub-renterters said he either give them a break or they'd leave. Well, after well over a decade of very pleasant relations, I sure didn't want to lose him -- especially only, likely, to have the property sit empty!
But I've compensated by adjusting my personal spending, without having any noticeable effect on my overall lifestyle. watching the thermostat, turning off unneeded lights etc., reusing stuff at home (plastic bags, etc.), not going out as much, and so on. I'm not holding myself out as an example of fiscal piety, because I could do a heckuva lot more, and *still* live just fine, in lifestyle terms.
Now I'm mapping out the best way to try to return to the workforce, not an easy matter at 58, but I'm sure there's *something* I can offer someone to earn even a modest salary. (I'm a univ. teacher, writer, webmaster, business communications consultant, etc.) And I'll squirrel any money I earn away.

Mekhong Kurt 9:46AM January 24, 2010

Well, I have done pretty good investing so far. I didn't listen to the naysayers nor did I get scared and withdrawal all my money out of my mutial fund stocks. On the contrary I looked for money that I could invest, being paycheck to paycheck poor I took $8000 from my bond fund and invested 50/50 into International and Mid caps, thinking its ON SALE! Today, I am only $2000 from what my value was at its height last year. Yahoooooooo! Now I have already replaced some of the bond fund money and plan on waiting until Dec to reap my profits and shore up my bond funds then.
Good luck everyone, and stop listening to the dummies on TV, think about what you are buying and invest in that not how can I make a buck because you don't know enough, but your buying habits do! Good luck and best wishes!

Sunshine of CA 7:06PM October 23, 2009

Well John Bogle, good to hear from you. I have one question for you: How are Americans supposed to save and be prosperous since the Vanguard S&P 500 Index Fund has not gained any value in ten years? Do you have an answer for *that*?

STEELWOLVES of MN 10:00AM October 02, 2009

Most of us did work hard and were willing to work, but our money was consumed by the greed of the companies whose products and services we needed, like food and oil. Thousands lost their life savings because of the stock market crash, and tax and spend had SQUAT to do with it.
Those complaining about the government don't seem to have a problem when a state of emergency is called to help deal with floods and hurricanes. Or when one state tells another state how to use their water (ie, Alabama whining over how Georgia uses the water in its own Lake Lanier).
Get over yourself and this BS rhetoric. Most Americans do work hard when given the chance, and for many of us, that chance is over.

Bunnie of GA 8:51PM September 29, 2009

Nationally and Collectively having wellness attitude is the answer to America's success.
USA is the largest intellectual farm and bread basket to the world- it just needs to start plouging and harvesting.

Firoz Shroff of DC 9:17AM September 26, 2009

The problem with young Americans is that so many have not been taught the value of a positive work/study ethic. The idea that the federal government can provide the nutritional, educational, vocational, financial and healthcare needs for we the people has lead to a society of corruption and laziness. To get something for contributing nothing is known as socialism and in every country that has followed that path has been doomed to a dismal existance. Those who are willing and eager to work become less eager when that for which they have worked is given to those who are not willing to work. The recession in the United States will only end when the people are willing to work to restore the prosperity. The idea that our government can tax and spend our way out of recession has not proven successful in the past and I doubt that it will work in today's environment. I now quote President John F. Kennedy," ask not what my country can do me, but ask what can I do for my country".

Richard J Spurlin M.D. of AL 12:57PM September 21, 2009

The problem with young Americans is that so many have not been taught the value of a positive work/study ethic. The idea that the federal government can provide the nutritional, educational, vocational, financial and healthcare needs for we the people has lead to a society of corruption and laziness. To get something for contributing nothing is known as socialism and in every country that has followed that path has been doomed to a dismal existance. Those who are willing and eager to work become less eager when that for which they have worked is given to those who are not willing to work. The recession in the United States will only end when the people are willing to work to restore the prosperity. The idea that our government can tax and spend our way out of recession has not proven successful in the past and I doubt that it will work in today's environment. I now quote President John F. Kennedy," ask not what my country can do me, but ask what can I do for my country".

Richard J Spurlin M.D. of AL 12:48PM September 21, 2009

The problem with young Americans is that so many have not been taught the value of a positive work/study ethic. The idea that the federal government can provide the nutritional, educational, vocational, financial and healthcare needs for we the people has lead to a society of corruption and laziness. To get something for contributing nothing is known as socialism and in every country that has followed that path has been doomed to a dismal existance. Those who are willing and eager to work become less eager when that for which they have worked is given to those who are not willing to work. The recession in the United States will only end when the people are willing to work to restore the prosperity. The idea that our government can tax and spend our way out of recession has not proven successful in the past and I doubt that it will work in today's environment. I now quote President John F. Kennedy," ask not what my country can do me, but ask what can I do for my country".

Richard J Spurlin M.D. of AL 12:48PM September 21, 2009

An excellent teacher will instill the joy of learning, responsiblity and hard work. After teaching over 35 years in a large city to children of poverty, I not only taught them every subject but also these important values. I loved each child like they were my own. I worked hours into the night and on weekends. I spent over $5,000 of my own money every year for supplies and books. I was taught the joy of working and education from my grandparents and parents. They worked hard. My daughter is instilling these values into her girls. My daughter is a single mother (teacher also) raising three girls. I only gave up teaching to help her but I did not give up working. I am donating my time, materials and my years of experience to other teachers. I am not rich but I choose to do this because education of our children will be the key to keeping this wonderful nation of ours free and strong. I am so very thankful I live in the United States of America!!!

Anne of PA 4:41PM September 20, 2009