'Wake-Up Call': The Benefits of Surging Oil, Recession, and Housing Bust

Wow! Nice article... It's kinda nice that's now I can afford to buy a home!

The fed bails our out banks whatever with what or whose money. They let inflation increase by lowering interest rates. Real savings are made almost worthless. Raise rates.

My wife and I have been totally debt free for over 11 years now. Pay off all your debt and see how your savings will snowball. Then pay cash for everything. It is a much better way to live. We must change our mind set and start living within our means.

My wife and I have been totally debt free for over 11 years now. Pay off all your debt and see how your savings will snowball. Then pay cash for everything. It is a much better way to live. We must change our mind set and start living within our means.

want to see oil prices drop like a rock. Reduce the speed limit to 55 mph and watch the OIL prducers cry.

"Then pay cash for everything" is silly (maunchman's comment above). Use credit cards to gain cash-back, frequent flyer miles, hotel points or whatever you could benefit from. Keep your money in *your* bank account and earn interest for *you* until the credit card payment is due. Just always pay your balance in full when due and still remain debt-free.

Exactly. Reduce limits and couple with stringent enforcement. Save lives, oil, reduce gas prices and our energy dependence, all at the cost of going a little slower. Oh, but I'm too selfish to do that the average american says, who out the other side of his mouth talks into his cellphone while driving 75mph and crying about how high prices are as he runs over a poor pedestrian trying to save a little gas and fat by walking. WE are our own worst enemy.

People who try to become "debt free" are morons. There is such a thing as good debt. If you are paying a 6% mortgage, but your investments are earning 8% or more, then paying down the mortgage would be stupid. It amazes me how simple minded people are when it comes to debt. Think like a corporation. Companies take on debt, because they know they can still generate positive free cash flow. This is the way to think. Right now is a good time to take on debt, because interest rates are low. My broker charges me 3% margin. Do you think I'm buying on margin right now? You betcha! The dividends alone on my stocks will easily cover (actually outperform) the margin rates. Debt is not amoral. It is just a financial condition and can be good or bad. It isn't 100% evil all the time like the sheep lead you to believe.

Yahoo! Rewards people like Robert Clueless Kiyosaki who preaches "savers are losers" [well, he does it in part to get attention] - with a column in their investing page. Kiyosaki has nary a good idea or useful advice that people can follow...... Using credit card has benefits - like protection from people who cannot deliver their good on time, intact and as advertised.... The B Man.

This article fails to address the activities of the Central Bank who is directly and completely responsible for the current inflation crisis. The Fed has been expanding the money supply by 18% each month. this means that backing out 2% GDP, inflation should be at 16%. We are almost there. . .

Re: ""Then pay cash for everything" is silly (maunchman's comment above).' Do you realize that if you don't plan how you will spend your money, you will probably spend 17% _more_ at the grocery store, clothing store, etc. because you don't have a spending limit of "What REALLY is in your wallet"? (Pun intended...) Don't get me wrong, CC's have their place - you just still have to work on a budget to keep your savings growing.

America cant survive on $4 gas and high interest rates

Maunchman makes a good point of living within limits. Our society has to change the way we handle money. Many of my co- workers despite earning 80 to 90+K $ are living from paycheck to paycheck because of house payments, car loans, credit card debt, big screen TV's, etc, etc.

Maunchman makes a good point of living within limits. Our society has to change the way we handle money. Many of my co- workers despite earning 80 to 90+K $ are living from paycheck to paycheck because of house payments, car loans, credit card debt, big screen TV's, etc, etc.

The only way we get ourselfs out of this mess is by the government setting a good example???????? it will never happen as long as we keep the same jerks in office,dem. and rep.,vote all of them out!!!!! Remember vote any thing but dem or rep,its time!!!!!!!

"Let them eat cake"

Every should just die and beautify the planet, at least the tree huggers will be pleased.

I'd bang that little hottie!

I agree....this price level is conducive to conservation and makes it cost efficient to develop alternatives. Let's let the free market system determine what that alternative. is not the govt. If oil went back to 2.00 a gallon it would be same ol same ol. Let's make A NEW INDUSTRY out of becoming energy independent... we can do it, without a lot of pain.

Valueman, which broker is giving you 3% rate on margin account? Thanks