I have always been taught that FRUGAL is good, so I am now just grateful to my parents for that lesson and my “skinflint” husband for living and supporting it so that it won’t be a culture shock when our government demands that we live by it!

Being on an artiste’s financial diet for 30+ years, I have developed frugal habits! Now married, pressures have eased off a bit - but I KNOW how to live on very little - & no cardboard boxes, either. No, don’t have millions in the bank - but I can get along, which gives me a sense of security. Check out my blog at www.myfrugallife.com/blog_pamphyila.html and see how another 1/2 lives!

Am I worried? Yes, and no. I was a ‘stay at home mom’ when it was not popular, and a ‘model’ wife of a business entrepreneur for almost 30 years. I stayed so busy, I never perused a full time career; one which (I presume) would have provided financial security in my later years. When I divorced, I forfeited money, which I probably should have kept; along with my married name. Thankfully, I raised five brilliant sons, four of whom have Ivy League degrees. And, I (humbly) confess, I will more likely enjoy financial security through the concept of filial piety - in the Chinese tradition. However, the idea of my sons providing for me later on, is painfully troubling. It goes against my moral fabric respective to the ideals I was taught regarding personal responsibility and financial ethics. And in fact, it is this area of my life - worrying about how to earn a decent income, which causes me more trauma and stress than any other issue. This worry has become the albatross in my life; where I’m tossing and turning at night because I am trying to figure out how to avoid becoming a burden to my sons in later years. Despite this disunion of conscience, I feel blessed that I manage with the little income I receive. Fortunately, despite many years of living with my ex who was financially reckless, I knew how to be financially frugal. My father, God bless him, did not believe in debt, and he believed in saving more than spending. Thankfully, following my divorce I knew exactly how to modify my lifestyle so as to maximize every dollar of income. I have no real debt, and I buy only what I need. So, yes, I do worry about my personal finances. I’ve not yet figured out how to make any ‘real’ money to stash away for the future. However, I also know that, when it becomes necessary, my sons will be my financial support. So, no. I’m not really worried that I’ll be out on the street pushing a cart.

A lot of people are worried. Following the INDY MAC failure, three relatives withdrew money from their banks this week. And, I don’t think they were alone. Fortunately, my father taught us years ago (in the 60’s) to never leave excess money in a bank than what was not insured by the FDIC. Dad did believe in investments; real estate and utility stock. But, regarding cash (liquid assets), his motto was, don’t leave money in any bank, which you can’t afford to loose. So, there was no surprise learning that there was always a safe box (vault) stashed with cash in our house. The truth is that people who I know are financially secure are calling their financial advisers, their brokers, and their accountants because they are worried about the safety of their money and investments. Who isn’t?

I have always found that worrying, just leaves you wondering later why you worried. So, rather than contribute to gray hair taking over, I skip over the worry. When I had a more than ample paycheck coming in every other week, I worried more than when I was unemployed for a year, and had to rely on faith to see me through. I survived, without losing anything somehow. :-) Blessings, Linda

In Michigan, today is not very good for anyone financially!

Nope, ain’t worried a bit on account that I ain’t had much to begin with. You will be the ones missing your maids and bank accounts. Me, I will be just fine … not only will I be just fine when your stocks and bonds drop out of the bottomless sky but I just might be better off on account I know how to survive without.

I am a single mother of five children ages 10, 9, 5, 4, & 2. My roomate is also a mom with children ages 9, 8, 3, 1, 10 mo and one on the way and is due in August 08. We are currently in foreclosure, and we DO NOT want to lose our home. I have been seeking a position and I have had no luck. I do have a Bachelor’s Degree. But of course my true love is to break into the entertainment industry as a screen or television writer, which I have been trying to do for 21 years. Can you please help prevent 11 children from becoming homeless? rednails4me@yahoo.com

while serving in the Millitary in 1989, my daughter purchased a Thousand dollar rollover CD with int.from Chase Manhatten Bank and after 25 yrs in service she retired in 2006, tried to cash in\the CD and was told Chase Bank had no record and wil not honor her CD even tho she sent a copy of the original. She has been trying to settle this dispute and I for one hate seeing her so depressed and disolution. Banks do not throw or lose records and her interest after 17 yrs is less then $6ooo.oo at this time . This is not fair and this country is fighting and dying for the rights of others. I am hoping someone take up her fight. cecilia white

Right now very worried my husband is out of work and I am working my website night and day. Sleep is an option that I can’t afford right now. That and when you are worried sleep for me doesn’t come easy. But I have been blessed to have found some great help in learning to work my website, promoting, technical, you name it. makes a person feel good to know that there are still some very caring and giving people around.

Since I got electrocuted last year, which gave me a very cheerful form of brain/neurological damage of always being in the present, I don’t really worry about anything, despite knowing that financially I am rather poor—ahahaha! Very restful, really—