Economy heading for a crash?

[Broken Arrow]

Wow... I can't believe what I am seeing. I for one will definitely buy into the stock market some more.

[gamecock43]

BA- please buy into the market~ I have alot of $$ there and wouldnt mind seeing it go up a bit.

[Broken Arrow]

I'm not sure how to interpret that response.

I just think this level of pessimism is unfounded.

However, I really do like the price level from the recent drops.

"Be greedy when others are fearful. Be fearful when others are greedy."

[noppenbd]

Bull markets love to climb a wall of worry.

[tripods68]

What's all the talk about gloom and doom? The US economy always thrived after a depression, crisis, or recession. Americans survived the "Great Depression" in the 1930s. Americans survived the 1970's Oil Embargo. Americans survived after doudle inflation rate 1980s. Americans survived the Dot Com bust and it will also survive this "credit crisis" and high "gas prices" once again. The US economy has recovered in the past and there is nothing to suggest it will not go up again.

Sure it tough right now but American families always persevered and they will. I wouldn't want to live anywhere in the world but here the good ole' USA.

[sweeps]

But maybe this time it's different. Maybe we are losing our superpower status and are on our way to mediocrity, or worse, implosion. This could be the beginning of the end.

[ActYourWage]

But maybe this time it's different. Maybe we are losing our superpower status and are on our way to mediocrity, or worse, implosion. This could be the beginning of the end.

I thought you were a Hopeless Optimist?

[b4freedom]

I follow the market pretty closely...and every fiber in my being is pointing towards a market crash and economy collapse.

My gut tells me the exact same thing. But, my question is, what do I do to protect myself and my family?

I’ve moved a large percentage of my retirement accounts to inflation linked bonds and out of the stock market. I think “reported” inflation is about to skyrocket. I’ve considered moving my emergency fund into a gold ETF (GLD). (I wish I did that 2 years ago!) But, I don’t think my wife will buy into that because it’s a speculative investment. I’d just hate to see our cash be devalued in real terms by run away inflation. Although our house has lost value, it’s not as bad as the rest of the country and we got a “good deal” in 2004 on a fixer upper that I’ve put a lot of sweet equity into. We knew going in that we should be prepared to live here for at least 10 years. Based on what’s moving locally, we’d still come out ahead.

Bottom line is, crash or no crash, I think we’re in for a long hurt. America has lost its edge in the world. Quality of life will not be the same. I want to come out ahead, just not certain exactly how to.