Apologies to any and all that my post may have offended.

My sarcasm distracted from the point I was trying to make. That point was that these past couple of years have hurt a lot of people financially. If your financial house is in good order, despite the recession, then you are either lucky or very wise. I bet there are many who are indeed financially savvy, but still taken a hit with this economy, despite their wisdom.

Financial commitments made three years ago may well have been great deals at the time, but now in hindsight are heavy burdens that one cannot just walk away from. Just look at all the foreclosures! Personally I have not been through a foreclosure or a furlough, but everyone knows both are awful.