I'm feeling the pinch somewhat, but that has nothing to do with the economy but rather the standard-fare high prices I'm used to in Holland plus a moderate salary. I did some budgetting and with my current income for every two months I have roughly €250 left for own expenditures (and that excludes my gas-bill which I have no idea what it'll be). Save to say I'll be playing budget games the upcomming months so I can finally get some new shoes.

I'm just lucky that I'm a cheap-ass and saved up some money so I'll have a buffer but with the current situation I will not tap into that untill necessary.

I'll be getting my diploma in august I hope. With a bit of luck the worst is over by then and I can start as a consultant or do some project work and finally stop living off small bits. My current boss is also dropping me more tasks and possibilities in different branches of the company so... at the very least I'll keep my job throughout the year.

Havent effected me that much. My brother is unemployed though and its hurting him (but some of that is his fault). My dad's retirement is based on one of the stock markets. So its fallen a few thousand.

But I know its going to probably be harder to find student loans once I need them. I have enough scholarships to last until at least next year.

Biggest thing though: Circuit City going out of business. If I was a smarter man, I wouldve spent my scholarship money on a cheap HUGE HD-TV. They had a 64 inch for less than 3000.

My money bin is half an inch lower than usual these days but as long as I have my lucky number 1, I'll be fine.

 Well mine is a media production degree, so it might be fractionally more useful, but only just!

My parents' investments took a hit, but their jobs are more or less immune to economic downturns.

I have no investments and do not own a home, and while my job is not glamorous it pays okay and I don't see it being affected by any of the slowdown. So aside from my parents' savings being affected (which would affect me if I ever had something happen to where I needed assistance from them) the downturn hasn't hurt me at all.

I'm actually hoping it lasts for a while, or at least long enough for me to complete my degree and get into a position to where I'm ready to buy a house....

Spending money on luxury items during economic hardships with only scholarships to fall back upon? My apologies but this does not sound all that smart.

I'm just as broke as always so.

My family's finance is ok. Well here in the U.S, upper class people are not badly affected like me and my family. Im still in my early teen years so I really havent seen a recression.

For me, I do some trading so my account took a hit- probably losing $4000-$5000 overall. I bought AIG recently but it feels good to have it. : )

=p Thought the same.

Woops,sorry. Meant "if I was a dumber man"