I have a good job and am fairly secure, but am still concerned.

I have been living abroad for the past year, and the exchange rate has lost 20% which has greatly increased the cost of living here.

Um i dont really care about the enviornment so i drive around in circles for 5 hours in my hummer. One time i found i was driving by this lake and it had alot of stuff in it and it was all black so i decided to swim in it and put all my garbage in it it. I drove my car into it to get it clean but it kind of sunk so if you ever go swimming in it you will find a hummer. SO let me know if you fnd it because i want it back

I'm an "other". I do have a good job and a roof over my head; however, that doesn't mean I'm worried about the economy. I am cutting back on spending and doubling the size of my veggie garden.

Oops. I originally wrote "that doesn't mean I'm worried," I forgot to throw in a "not"

Economically speaking, growing up my mother cared for me, my sister, and our large house in Southast PA on less than 20k a year. All without gov't assistance (although I kinda wish she had gone for some). Anyway, I can handle a recession; I'm used to living month-to-month. My biggest concern is how my fiancée and I will handle it after we're married and living together.

I have a wonderful job and a roof over my head and as long as the economy doesn't cause me to lose my job I am just fine with however many financial cutbacks I need to make. I already do my part to help the economy by buying local and cut back on spending by preparing most of my food at home, shopping at thrift stores, renting or downloading media, growing some of my own food, sewing some of my own clothes, making some of my own household cleaning and personal care products, conserving water, not buying bottled water, reducing packaging, using reuseable bags at the store, etc. etc. etc. The only things I can't do that I wish I could were recycle [they don't have the options anywhere near my area. Yay Florida] and take public transit [same reason, horrible bus system]. Everyone everywhere needs to be doing more little things to make a difference both to alleviate and prepare for a possible recession. /ramble

To the jerks who "are worried and taking measures":

YOU ARE THE ONES CAUSING THE RECESSION, SO STOP IT!

When gas prices increase, goods will be more expensive and we will buy less, and companies will profit less and then shrink and people will be out of jobs, and they wont be able to buy anything, all while prices have increased...

It's a very bad cycle we are heading for, and I don't know if or how we can avoid it. I know I'm not putting money in the stocks for sure.

Nope. As long as there is dirt on the ground and water to drink, we'll all be fine.

The economy is in trouble, but my husband and I have always believed in living on far less than we make so we will be ok. This will just be another downturn to weather. It does NOT help the economy (and hurts the enviornment) to spend on things we don't need. The US needs more savers, not spenders. Heck, if you are buying stuff made in China, you are sending us backwards as they own most of our debt. Read up on what serious thinkers say about a nation of 'consumers'. "The Fourth Power" by Gary Hart (5 years old and still very relevant) is a good start. We need to invest, not spend. And please, need I even mention the importance of not getting into a house you can't afford - and/or that is too big?

I always attempt to be prepared. I think people get more scared they will lose thier luxuries they are used to, and forget the strength and diversity of mankind. You have to understand that life is full of ups and downs. I am always up for challenge and change!