What characteristics do the 10 Most Recession-Proof U.S. Cities have in common?
The most recession-proof cities didn’t see home prices surge in the first place, so they didn’t experience a big housing bubble followed by a crash, and their economnies weren’t rooted in the auto industry.
The top 10 stable cities identified by MetroMonitor are:
1. Albany, N.Y.
2. Augusta, Ga.
3. Austin, Texas
4. Baton Rouge, La.
5. Buffalo, N.Y.
6. Columbia, S.C.
7. Dallas, Texas
8. Des Moines, Iowa
9. El Paso, Texas
10. Honolulu
In this down economy I have learned that all of those THINGS that I used to think I had to have are, after all, just things. Things can be taken from you in an instant. One day you can have all of the things you ever wanted and the next they can all be gone.
In taking personal stock of the situation, I have realized that the things that money can’t buy are the things that are really important. When I look around my world, I am surrounded by the deep love of seven children and four grandchildren, 2 extraordinary sisters, a passel of nieces and nephews, a great aunt, brothers-in-law and a son-in law. I have wonderful friends, some of whom I have known since I was very young. I have the respect of my peers. I was blessed with a great brain and an endless thirst for more knowledge. I have traveled the world, flown on the Concorde, crossed the Panama Canal, learned to speak Spanish and Italian, have no fear of public speaking, love my profession, personally cared for both my parents until the day they each died at home, have helped make the difference in a family of six, have taught my children and grandchildren a slew of board and card games, have a piece of the Berlin wall, have seen the Whirling Dirvishes and ridden a camel. I have truly had an extraordinary life. While the majority of the things may have disappeared, the memories of of a life fulfilled is the greatest gift of all. No one can take my intelligence or break my spirit. I am the eternal optomist and a big dreamer. Oh yes, I can have those things again and I will have the ones I really want, but this time will be different. I will have an appreciation of the real price I am paying to have those things. I know one thing for sure, those things can never replace the priceless gifts life has given me.
How much sense does it make for the credit card companies to unilaterally raise interest rates to a level of usuary (in my opinion) when people are struggling in an extremely challenging economy? It is a complete recipe for further disaster. We bail out the banks, so they can stick it to us with their greedy practices. Where is the American taxpayer’s “bail out”? I believe most cardholders really want to pay their bills and, if the companies would work with them, they would be made whole. Instead they push people to the edge until they force them into bankruptcy and, for some, suicide. 100% of nothing is still nothing, when that happens. This is a time in America when we all have to work together and help one another. Somehow that message has escaped the banks whose poor business decisions and greed have devastated many, affected everyone and have done it in a cavalier manner.
I, for one, look forward to the day when I never will use a credit card again. Maybe they have done me a favor after all!!!
