Is USA still the promised land?

[Dr. Obvious 49]

They would run out of all their net worth in 2 weeks or run out of liquid assets?

What this study may prove is that most Americans need to be re-educated about financial planning and living within their means.

More than that, they need to know the simple fact that just because you have a job today, that doesn't mean it will be there tomorrow. If there is no money, there is no money, no matter how good or important you think you are.

I got laid off back in April. When I first got laid off, I immediately applied for all kinds of work, part-time and full-time. The difference in response is interesting. Every single part-time job I applied to called me back immediately. I interviewed for several part-time positions days after I got laid off and was offered a few jobs within 2-3 weeks. I accepted one because the hours were good to keep looking for full-time work. Meanwhile, I have not gotten a single call back for a full-time, permanent position despite the fact that what I applied for in a part-time capacity is exactly the same thing I want to do full-time. Go figure. Cheap azzes.

I know a lot of people who have been laid off or are on the immediate chopping block. My brother just graduated this May and it has been an absolute disaster for him and his class. He's trying to get in as a Naval officer now because that was the only position he got called back for in the about 5 months he has been looking seriously all over the country. A lot of his friends have found about zero interest like him, and some have been looking as far back as last August. Check your local Wal-Mart for new engineering grads. I work in higher ed academic advising as my part-time job, so I see these people every single day and it is really depressing in some ways.

[christera22 8]

Agree with Wacken. The answer is NO. World economy is turning out.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

America is a land of instilled consumption. Starting in the 1950s, people were (by an Austrian, nonetheless) psychologically re-poled to buy what they want, desire, instead of what they need. They want it now, and they buy it on credit, and worry about paying it off later, or not at all.

I'm 51 now, but my parents' generation was different. They saved for things they needed, and only things they needed. They never bought a new car, but they accumulated some wealth despite having a "middle class" income. If I see a young chap driving a Cadillac Escalade with spinner wheels, I know he's poor, and an idiot on top of that.

The greatest gift my parents gave me is financial sense, the urge to save for a rainy day from early on. I have some cushion in my bank account, 10 months of expenses in my money market account, and only the amount above that is invested in the stock market and in real estate. I always spend 15% less than I make, at least, and even when I did paper routes I saved 15%.

Americans need to rethink their style of living, and they need to be reeducated. America is only the land of milk and honey for those who have something; it's not a good place to live if you are poor.

Edited September 11, 2009 by Just Bob

[Sibtain 1]

Guys plz guide new commers who are coming to usa abt job conditions there at the moment?

Thanx

[Wade+Kristin 0]

Guys plz guide new commers who are coming to usa abt job conditions there at the moment?

Thanx

I'd like some input to this question too. When I look online and browse through available jobs right now, it doesn't seem too bad (seattle area) although I am well aware what I see online may differ from how the market actually is. I'd love for someone to shed some light on this. I'm a kindergarten teacher and will be moving to the US sometime early 2010 if everything works out. I'm not shy to apply for other jobs than teaching though, at least so I can hold some sort income until the right kind of job offer shows up. In Norway it's relatively easy to get a job from my profession here, I hope it won't be too hard to get one in the US.

Thanks

[rebeccajo 14]

Guys plz guide new commers who are coming to usa abt job conditions there at the moment?

Thanx

I'd like some input to this question too. When I look online and browse through available jobs right now, it doesn't seem too bad (seattle area) although I am well aware what I see online may differ from how the market actually is. I'd love for someone to shed some light on this. I'm a kindergarten teacher and will be moving to the US sometime early 2010 if everything works out. I'm not shy to apply for other jobs than teaching though, at least so I can hold some sort income until the right kind of job offer shows up. In Norway it's relatively easy to get a job from my profession here, I hope it won't be too hard to get one in the US.

Thanks

There will be more jobs in some areas than others, obviously.

Statistically nationwide, I believe the average is there are 6 applicants for every job presently available.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I do feel like this country has come full circle. At the turn of 20th century wealth was hordered by that top tier through to the 20's. Labor had no rights, heck children worked in dangerous conditions etc. Then the depression came and the second world war, the rights of labor grew and wealth was more even. This continued through the 1970's and then the 80's and 90's occurred and wealth parity slipped and labor rights fell. So here we are 80 years later and we're in the same place.

The question is where to we go from here? It may not seem quite the same after all children do not work and technology has made all of our lives easier - still gaps are the same.

Edited October 12, 2009 by Sousuke