Money, Money, Money

[+ Lucky]

It's not just Daddy. (see home page), I am one of the Americans who is finding the downturn in the economy frightening. For a long time, I thought I was fairly well to do, but I could never compete strongly in the escort hiring department. I did spend a lot to travel, but the airlines make that harder all the time, and now it's just not their fees that make it tight, it's the rising hotel prices and expenses at my destinations.

 

Higher gas leads to higher costs all around. The government is spending like crazy with no way to pay the money back. Soon taxes must go up, as will my homeowner dues and anything not made locally.

 

My friends in business report that the outlook is grim with many layoffs ahead. The drop in home values has taken much spending money away from most of us.

 

So, instead of having a somewhat affluent life in my old age, I am not going to be able to spend on the things I want to do. Geez, I stayed home this summer! Instead of Rio, I got a few days in San Diego.

 

How is the economy affecting you? Your plans on hold? I know many are still well off.

[+ Axiom2001]

Lucky, I extend to you a resounding applause of agreement. I, too, find myself (as well as far too many folks) in the same dilemma and predicament.

 

I shall try to be a little optimistic in hope that the plight of Americans (retirees and others) will receive some light once the election is over and a new president appears in January 2009. I am quite cognizant that the change will be gradual, for the job of improvement is truly a huge one!

[jackhammer91406]

This year for the first time in 17 years I did not go to Florida for the month of May to attend my family reunion.

 

In addition, for the past 5 years I have spent November in Rio. I will not be going this year.

 

I have made some smaller more local trips like Las Vegas and Palm Springs but with the economy the way it is right now (the instability) I just felt it was not a good time to spend the kind of money the long trips would take. Of course, the fact that I am apparently a whiner according to McCain economic experts and maybe it is a mental recession, so I can feel better knowing it's all in my head. At least you can wake up from nightmares.

 

As for your home owner fees, you can probably torpedo those right after you are put on the board.

[Rick Munroe]

>I shall try to be a little optimistic in hope that the plight

>of Americans (retirees and others) will receive some light

>once the election is over and a new president appears in

>January 2009.

 

Only if it's the right new President! A President McCain will only make things worse for everyone...

[Guest dreynsol]

I read Daddy's "Enough is Enough" post and had to shake my head knowing what he's going through. I keep a site of my own going for traveling to Brazil and you can imagine how profitable that is right now :-)

 

Luckily, I too have a "Day Job" that keeps our site afloat. but there have been a few times when I ask myself why bother. Then out of the blue, I get an e-mail or a post that says they greatly benefited from the site, and thanks for all of your hard work.

 

So if Daddy's reading this, I'd like to say the same to him, and that I know what your going through.

 

Personally, I've been very fortunate not to have suffered too much financially. Work from home and rarely have to buy gas. own my own place so the mortage crisis is not an issue, grow my own vegetables and even started cooking again. So, I guess I saw a lot of this coming and scaled back my lifestyle accordingly, but I do have a trip planned to Rio soon.

 

But on the otherhand, my Father died in my arms last October. My Mother's had two cancer surgeries since, and has yet another one scheduled for next month to remove breast cancer.

 

So, I find it difficult to feel sorry for myself these days. I just keep going knowing that "it can't rain all the time".

 

- Drey

[dcguy20]

I hear you in the lack of traveling department. I was accustomed to going to NYC at least once a month, but I haven't been since April. The price of hotels have increased significantly, transportation costs are exhorbitant, etc. As a result, I've had to do some creative things regarding cost cutting. I now do the landscaping for my condo in exchange for my monthly condo fees. I got rid of my cable because it seemed like Comcast was constantly increasing it's rates.

[rentingdad]

I really don't get all the belly-aching regarding the economy. Enough already - it's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Busines has never been better for me and all those that work for me. Record first half of 2008 and on track for a record second half as well.

[seaboy4hire]

I'm glad things are going well for you but for quite a few all over this nation things aren't. When someone is paying $45 for 9 gallons of gas and with the price of groceries and I'm sure electricity and heat thatll go up this winter things aren't so rosey. I hear it day in and day out that it's almost driving me crazy cause I see it and hear it daily.

 

Hugs,

Greg

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6707/lebec084a9ad147f620acd5ps8.jpg

I need a holiday!

[+ Axiom2001]

>>I shall try to be a little optimistic in hope that the

>plight

>>of Americans (retirees and others) will receive some

>light

>>once the election is over and a new president appears in

>>January 2009.

>

>Only if it's the right new President! A President McCain will

>only make things worse for everyone...

 

 

 

Agreed, Rick! I should have written more! I am DEFINITELY casting my vote for candidate Obama!

[+ Axiom2001]

>I really don't get all the belly-aching regarding the

>economy. Enough already - it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

> Busines has never been better for me and all those that work

>for me. Record first half of 2008 and on track for a record

>second half as well.

 

 

Good on you, man! If you were not reasonably doing well-- you would be voicing your concerns here, too!

 

Many times when one is not hurting-- he becomes callous toward the woes and troubles of others! ;(

[+ Axiom2001]

Every "fucking thing" is up in price these days, but one's interest rates are lower, a person on a fixed income suffers, and it's a shame, shame, shame!

 

I often think of others who are less off than I. I think if I am having problems-- look at the man or the woman who makes little money, etc..... Many of us here have had it reasonably well; now we are seeing reality.

 

Again, I certainly hope that when Senator Obama is elected as our next president we will see things to change (gradually then escalated during the four years and for the better of all).

[Guest ryan2552]

I find it somewhat interesting that several mentioned their trip to RIo had been put on hold due to the economy. I'm wondering, aside from the higher airfare cost, isn't Rio supposed to be a financial bargain in all other respects? From many of the threads I've read it seems to be a place where one could go and feel like a king or at the least a prince.

 

The economy has placed me in an unpleasant situation. I am semi-retired but if there is no light shinning at the end of the tunnel soon I might have to return to work. Obviously not something I cherish.

 

I have done much research between the two candidates economic plans. Putting aside all the BS such as what McCain's former adviser rattled off a few months ago; its difficult to determine who shall serve the economy best.

 

Their concepts are so opposed to each other who truly understands which plan would benefit the greatest portion of Americans?

 

While social issues are very important to me I must confess the economy is like their side car in my view. Therefore I'm still undecided who will receive my vote in November. Usually by this time in the election cycle I've already made a commitment.

[Guest ryan2552]

Look who else agrees with us

 

LOS ANGELES - Fuel prices have grounded an unexpected frequent-flyer: Diddy.

 

Sean "Diddy" Combs complained about the "... too high" price of gas and pleaded for free oil from his "Saudi Arabia brothers and sisters" in a YouTube video posted Wednesday. The hip-hop mogul said he is now flying on commercial airlines instead of in private jets, which Combs said had previously cost him $200,000 and up for a roundtrip between New York and Los Angeles.

 

"I'm actually flying commercial," Diddy said before walking onto an airplane, sitting in a first-class seat and flashing his boarding pass to the camera. "That's how high gas prices are. I'm at the gate right now. This is really happening, proof gas prices are too high. Tell whoever the next president is we need to bring gas prices down."

[KMEM]

I think someone might be taking advantage of "Diddy". I believe a charter in a very large private jet could do this trip for around $60,000 R-T. Before you say, oh sure, ONLY $60,000 remember a walk up so called first class ticket on the airlines could cost $5,000. The private jet I have in mind could easily accommodate 12 or more people so the fare and charter fee would be a push. Of course, one would get much better service on the charter.

 

I am not sure what either McCain or Obama can "do" about the price of fuel or the economy. I am not counting on either one.

 

My oversimplified opinion is that it takes a concerted effort by the Congress, the administration, the Fed and, mainly, the public to get things going in the right direction again. It won't be quick and it sure won't be easy.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[jackhammer91406]

Over the years, the exchange rate has gone down to the disadvantage of the American guest. The Dollar doesn't buy what it used to and Brasil's economy is doing pretty well. Of course Drey or Tri could give you a much better idea.

 

Part of the problem is the drop in the stability of the Dollar.

Not everyone is doing well in this economy. I am happy for those who are and wish I was one of them. With the increase in health care costs and no real pay increase, I am missing about $400 a month that I used to have as disposable income. That is not including the increase cost of everything from food to gas. Those costs work out to about $150 more a month in gas (offset now by the purchase of a Hybrid SUV, so it balances out to $100 more a month). Food costs have gone up and I would say I am spending about $100-150 more a month.

I realize $600 to $700 a month isn't much to some, but for me, it really takes some adjustment in what I choose to do. I still have some disposable income, thank God, just not what I used to have

[Epigonos]

fRE: Money, Money, Money

 

Whether we like it or not we live in the twenty first century and there is NO longer a national economy. We all live in an international economy and the President of the United States whether it is Barack Obama or John McCain will have very little leverage in influencing that economy.

 

What with outsourcing, the faltering dollar and the rise of Wall-Mart merchandizing the world economy is in the process of leveling out. This leveling out translates into the fact that many of the countries formally at the bottom of the world economy are seeing a rise in their standard of living. To compensate for that rise many of the countries formally at the top (that’s us guys) are beginning to see a drop in their standard of living. This process is only going to accelerate and it is going to cause much celebration in the underdeveloped world and much unhappiness in the developed world mainly Western Europe and the United States. We are already seeing, in countries like China and India, a rapid increase in the demand for gasoline, snd cereal and meat products. We have already seen a major increase in fuel and the same thing is happening to food prides here and in Western Europe.

 

The simple way to increase the value of the dollar is to raise interest rates in this country. No President in his right mind is going to do that. If he were to pressure the Federal Reserve into making such a move the availability of credit would dry up overnight. That would make the current housing foreclosure rates look absolutely wonderful. The entire house market, including freddie may and fanny mac would likely collapse. So don’t count on an increase in the value of the dollar any time soon.

 

Hawaii is currently suffering a major revenue loss in middle income tourism. High end tourism, however, is doing just fine. These people have money and they will continue to spend it. Many people involved in Hawaiian tourism are hoping and praying that in the near future Chinese tourism will begin picking up the slack. That is exactly what happened during the Japanese economic boom. On both coasts we are beginning to depend more and more on foreign tourism to pump money into the economy. The only problem with this is that tourism oriented jops are low paying and frequently without benefits. As we have lost manfucturing jobs by the millions we have replaced them with service industry jobs -- Not a good trade off for American workers

 

Guys call me a pessimist (absolutely true) but I really don’t see much economic relief for the poor and middle classes in this country regardless of who wins the November election. About the only area today where the U.S. President reigns supreme is in foreign policy – as we all well know

[+ Lucky]

So, instead of someplace more exotic, I drove down to San Diego for the weekend. We got half-price tix to the touring company of Spring Awakening. Not only were they cheaper than half-price tix in New York, this production is actually better than the one I saw on Broadway.

 

Went to the Padres game last night. Two tickets for $74 and sat right above the visitors bullpen. When I was last in New York, we paid $160 for two ordinary seats. Granted, I'd rather see the Yankees...

 

Checking out of the Hyatt this morning, I glimpsed at the receipt for the guy in front of me. He paid $179 a night. I got mine on Priceline for $100 and a nice gay guy upgraded us at check-in to a large corner room with panoramic city views.

 

Drove back in my Hybrid, which only got 30 mpg, but all in all a fun weekend, and San Diego sure has great weather!

[Guest dreynsol]

>Over the years, the exchange rate has gone down to the

>disadvantage of the American guest. The Dollar doesn't buy

>what it used to and Brasil's economy is doing pretty well. Of

>course Drey or Tri could give you a much better idea.

>

>Part of the problem is the drop in the stability of the

>Dollar.

>Not everyone is doing well in this economy. I am happy for

>those who are and wish I was one of them.

 

Jackhammer, you're absolutely right that the Dollar doesn't buy what it used to in Brazil, and that Brazil's economy is doing better. Their increased inflation along with the fall of the Dollar has been a double whammy for travelers there.

 

Brazil was once an amazing deal just 4 years ago, and not only because of Brazil's economy but of the cost of getting there on the airlines.

 

I would estimate the cost has doubled since then.... except for the cost of hooking up with a gorgeous Brazilian. :-)

 

I love San Diego, as well, but other than the cost of getting there, I can't say Brazil would be any more expensive. If you can get to Brazil on frequent flier miles, stay at the Atlantico in the $80 range (it used to be in the $40 range), plus taxes, and watch your wallet, I still believe you can have a much beter time.

 

But, if you have to buy an airline ticket, it greatly adds to the cost these days. The first time I flew to Brazil, it was around $500.

 

The good news is that Brazil is actually experiencing deflation at the moment, so maybe there is hope for the future.

 

- Drey

[Guest ryan2552]

> With the increase

>in health care costs and no real pay increase, I am missing

>about $400 a month that I used to have as disposable income.

>That is not including the increase cost of everything from

>food to gas. Those costs work out to about $150 more a month

>in gas (offset now by the purchase of a Hybrid SUV, so it

>balances out to $100 more a month). Food costs have gone up

>and I would say I am spending about $100-150 more a month.

> I realize $600 to $700 a month isn't much to some, but for

>me, it really takes some adjustment in what I choose to do. I

>still have some disposable income, thank God, just not what I

>used to have

 

I wish I was so organized. A rough calculation does show me I'm spending about $400. - $600. more each month. But I've not taken the time to figure out exactly how much. Not that I'm wealthy and it isn't hurting me lol, I guess I just don't want to deal with it.

 

This holiday weekend I stayed home, instead of heading to upstate NY like I usually do. That decision was a direct result of the excess travel related expenses.

[+ Lucky]

Good for you, rentingdad. Believe me, if your business turns down, you won't hear any bellyaching from me about it!

[Guest Rendie]

Club Lucky

 

Hi Lucky,

 

Why don't you tell us where you were really hanging out in SD? }(

 

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=407603241

 

This looks like a fun place, tell us more about it please!

 

enjoy

r

[jackhammer91406]

Lucky, if his business suffers a down turn, I don't expect to hear HIM belly aching about it either. }(

[AaronEdwards]

I know several people everywhere are being touched by this problem lately. It has changed my business and also changed the way I travel and take vacations. My clients that are regulars only spend half of the time with me that they normally do. That is why I started offering second hour discounts. I noticed that it helps my clients more and gives them longer sessions that keep them from feeling rushed at all. It does not hurt me to offer that. On the contrary... It actually is boosting my business because it helps clients that are in a tight financial struggle and they are able to spend more time enjoying themselves along with being able to spend more time more frequently than if I kept my rates standard.

 

The down side is that with the inflation of the airline, hotels, and rental car services, travel is not as lucrative as it once was for me. I am fortunate to be in NYC where so many people come into the city for business functions, conventions, meetings, and tourism. Other people in the industry are not as fortunate though. People that live in smaller cities that have less business traffic must be struggling with their income due these financial situations.