The financial crisis provides for individual opportunity...

I’ve obviously been spending a lot of time learning about what’s going on with the financial markets, the economy, etc. I am certainly no expert, but far more informed then I was a few months ago. I have yet to take the same strong interest in politics…

Flashback to 2002, when I quit my job at InsynQ as a beautiful love interest (Eriko) forced me to realize that it was going nowhere. In doing so, I spent several months unemployed and it has completely impacted and changed my spending habits. Before the unemployment, I spent money like I would always have money - not necessarily in debt, but very little savings.

Since then, I strive to (as my father would say) “save where I can, so I can spend where I want.” Eriko prepares my lunch on a daily basis, she cuts my hair, we rarely go out to eat, we drive old cars, and live far from a consumption lifestyle - but we do splurge on things like memberships to the Children’s Museum and Zoo for Jerry, trips to Japan and Pennsylvania, and of course - toys for Jerry.

I see the current financial crisis (and the pathetic political situation that has done nothing to abate it) as the trigger for me to be more involved, more engaged, and more educated. Ideally, I’ll make better decisions regarding my longer-term financial goals.

In crisis, there is opportunity.