But, our house payment is only about 1/4 of bring home

We have lots of "extra" expenses that could be eliminated prior to the mortgage.

Things like 2 cell phone, a car payment ( which could be paid off in cash right now ), AOL and broadband internet, security system, housekeeper every two weeks.

I can come up with $1,000 a month in savings, if we would chose to get rid of cell phones and stop the kids' extra activities ( gym, soccer, baseball ), housekeeper, etc.

What I fear most is not less income, but none at all. Even at a "burn rate" reduced by $1,000 a month, we would chew through most everything in about 6-8 months, depending on how quickly we could cut back.

I do think that the job market is trying to remake itself about 25% less expensive than pre 2000 levels. Airline pilots/flight attendants/mechanics are taking 23% pay cuts. That is similar to what I see high tech jobs being "offered" at. It just seems that the big kahunas that run the country must want everyone to live at 25% less.

We could do it, but a lot of extras would fall by the wayside. Life insurance, for example.

So, I'm trying to figure out if the 25% reduction is an "across the economy" thing, or just in selected pockets where jobs are scarce and candidates are abundant.

Glen Austin

Post #97,462 by gdaustin 4/20/03 8:51:52 PM Reply	But, our house payment is only about 1/4 of bring home We have lots of "extra" expenses that could be eliminated prior to the mortgage. Things like 2 cell phone, a car payment ( which could be paid off in cash right now ), AOL and broadband internet, security system, housekeeper every two weeks. I can come up with $1,000 a month in savings, if we would chose to get rid of cell phones and stop the kids' extra activities ( gym, soccer, baseball ), housekeeper, etc. What I fear most is not less income, but none at all. Even at a "burn rate" reduced by $1,000 a month, we would chew through most everything in about 6-8 months, depending on how quickly we could cut back. I do think that the job market is trying to remake itself about 25% less expensive than pre 2000 levels. Airline pilots/flight attendants/mechanics are taking 23% pay cuts. That is similar to what I see high tech jobs being "offered" at. It just seems that the big kahunas that run the country must want everyone to live at 25% less. We could do it, but a lot of extras would fall by the wayside. Life insurance, for example. So, I'm trying to figure out if the 25% reduction is an "across the economy" thing, or just in selected pockets where jobs are scarce and candidates are abundant. Glen Austin
Post #97,476 by ben_tilly 4/20/03 10:52:20 PM Reply	If I guess the motivation of the people in power right... 25% is the first installment in bringing the US in line with conditions elsewhere in the world. Conditions which the WTO wouldn't mind worstening. Cynical? Me? Why, thank you. Cheers, Ben "good ideas and bad code build communities, the other three combinations do not" - [link\|http://archives.real-time.com/pipermail/cocoon-devel/2000-October/003023.html\|Stefano Mazzocchi]
Post #97,491 by inthane-chan 4/20/03 11:31:21 PM Reply	One one hand... ...it is very enlightening and educational to read your posts, Ben, and I hope you don't stop. On the other hand, you're scaring the holy SHIT out of me, Ben, and I wish you weren't right so much... After 9/11, Bush made two statements: 1. "Terrorists hate America because America is a land of freedom and opportunity." 2. "We intend to attack the root causes of terrorism." Sounds like everything is going according to plan.
Post #97,512 by ben_tilly 4/21/03 12:45:33 AM Reply	Don't jinx me... OTOH considering what I have written lately, perhaps a jinx would be a very, very good thing. ;-) Thanks for the compliment. Cheers, Ben "good ideas and bad code build communities, the other three combinations do not" - [link\|http://archives.real-time.com/pipermail/cocoon-devel/2000-October/003023.html\|Stefano Mazzocchi]

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