I tend to view the whole economic situation and frenzy surrounding it as overkill. The economy goes and up and it goes down — has for as long as “economies” have existed. Humans have short memories. When it goes down, we think it’s the end of the world. But in reality, it’s normal. And it will go up again.

@Bluefish — I work for private sector as well, and since we depends on gov’t budgets, work is pretty unsteady too. But even in public sector positions can be cut so…

@Celine — I think taking control of our financial health is the best thing we can do so far.

@Scarlet — Did you get the job, by the way?

@Agnes — Well, being debt-free was probably easier for me than for most North Americans. As I said, no students loans needed in France, and I don’t have a house, so no mortgage.

@Guillermo — I feel the same. This is virtual money we are talking about most of time and I find it hard to grasp the reality of it. Even stock markets are weird for me… I’m too down-to-earth for that kind of financial game I guess.

@Gutsy Writer — It can be difficult… I know most of my friends in France had to move back with their parents at one point because they just couldn’t afford rent.

@Caroline — We should see things like you do, no point in worrying after all. Maybe you haven’t been brainwashed my American media yet

@Gail at Large — I know a lot of my students who graduated from uni. at the same time as you said they went to Japan to teach English, or to Europe for further education. They came back right on time when things picked up again. Good point!

@Khengsiong — I hate being paid by the hour but I have never experienced something else… so I’m used to it. I only have 4 sick days… per YEAR!

@expatraveler — I’ll be looking for a job too when I come back from traveling, hopefully I won’t search too long. Good luck!

@RennyBA — I understand what you mean. But it’s a vicious circle too, the more governments tell us we are in deep trouble, the less people want to invest, the more the economy is down…

@Brenda — People are more frugal apparently, but hey, this is North America. I don’t have high hopes. This continent was build for consumerism…

@NewWrldYankee — I’m staying positive and it is a great time to go traveling after all!

@Adem — I heard the housing market was crazy in the UK, similar to France’s. I can see people getting into debt… I’m not surprised.

Luckily I’ve got some savings and am in a secure job, but there are many who are not in this situation and are facing ruin.

A lesson to be learnt.

In lack of incentives, I do hope companies at least invest in competence building — that’s where we really need a raise.