Economy

Everywhere you look these days, someone is saying something about the economic slowdown. The media is panicking about it and spreading fear. I think this contributes to people who have disposable income not spending. The last few months were stressful for us because Jeremy was without a job. Technically, this job is a temporary contract, but we feel pretty good that he'll get hired permanently. Thus far, this economy really hasn't affected us to any great extent. We are spending less and watching our money really carefully. We don't eat out but once a week, and we try to conserve where we can.

Yesterday, the economic issues hit home. My brother who's still in college got laid off from his internship. The company he was working for, although probably not as affected by the economy, is trying to save for the future, thus cutting jobs and laying off all their interns. This turn of events affects not only him, but my parents as well. He was using the money he was making to not only apply for residency, but he was also using it to pay for school. Now, he's going to have to scramble to find another job because apparently it isn't enough that you live there, you have to show income. It really sucks for a 20 year old whose trying to graduate. This affects my parents because now they'll have to help him out. Yes, he could get a loan, but not for this semester. He'll have to wait until next semester to get the actual money. Is the economy going to get better soon? I have no idea. I hope so, but I'm cautiously optimistic at best. I have a feeling we'll be feeling the effects of this downturn for years.