CH>In 2002 when we had to sell our house in Florida, the values rose a
CH>nice but modest 8% in our area. Then just one year later doubled! So
CH>that is to say if you want to maintain your living standards you need
CH>to pay twice as much as you once did. Just a year hence. Now the
CH>bubble is bursting. Values are falling. I am not talking off the top
CH>of my head Tom. I know this because not only have I read it, we are IN
CH>IT, trying to sell our house in Fort Worth so we can  can buy here
CH>back in Florida again. It would be great if we could buy our old house
CH>back. But we'd be paying more for it than we bought/sold our FW house
CH>for now.

The litle 1000 Square Foot house I live in has lost $100,000 in value
since the sub prime loan thing blew up. I could care less as it is paid
off and it is only on Paper and  I firmly believe in "Don't Count your
Chickens before they are Hatched"  :-)


CH>Yes I know sometimes loss of job can cause loss of living space but if
CH>people didn't live beyond their means they way the gullible choose
CH>to do- they wouldn't end up out on the street or sleeping in the cars.
CH>They'd have enough backup to at least make it to the next job.


Mant yearts ago I was somewhat of a Fiscal IDIOT. BUT after some Very
HArd learned lessons I have soem to apprechiate another saying:
"Earn what you Spend and only Spend what you earn"
Of course I din;t have a New Car, The last New car I bought was a
1960 Ford Falcon. No Ski Boat nor any of the other toys popular Here..
I haven't paid any Credit Card Interest, in Over 30 Years

But most refuse to stop their over their Head living. But being
bombarded with Madison Avenue slick ads dosen't help.

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