Times of Uncertainty
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Over the last few days I have been watching the news intently. I have had a keen interest in the financial situation and whether or not Congress would approve the proposed bailout plan. With the failure of the bailout plan yesterday, there is a great deal of uncertainty in the market, and many people are wondering where to go.
I was discussing it with my wife last night and over the weekend. She expressed some concern over the market and wondering what it means for our lives. I have many of the same concerns. I told her it would be okay. I wondered to myself, however, if it really would be.
Without taking away from stay at home mothers, single mothers, or any other family situation I laud those men who are sole providers for their families. It’s not easy. There’s a great deal of career pressure when you are the provider. It’s times like these that test men and force them to stand up and be accounted for. Many men are wondering:
How will I lead my family in times of uncertainty?
How can I reassure my wife that things will be fine?
Will I still have my job a year from now, and if not, how will I provide for my family?
What will I teach my children about the economy, about money and credit? Do I understand it myself?
Hats off to those men who tackle these questions head on without burying their head in the sand. Hats off to those men who reach out to help not only their own families, but those around them as well.
Men, what do you think? How do you answer these questions? What other questions do you have in this time of uncertainty?
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Comments
Both my wife and I work, and when we talk about this financial turmoil, I always try to point out the history of the market, which is easy since we have decades until retirement. Last night, though, I heard a financial “expert” talking about how long it will take to recoup yesterday’s losses, and I didn’t buy her analysis, but I would like better analysis to that question, though it’s impossible to answer with certainty.
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My husband and I have a different relationship right now then I suppose. We both work and don’t have kids. But I handle ALL of the bills and finances. It would be nice not to have to stress about it, but money is the one thing that stresses him out the most. So I handle all the bills to spare him. In this time of turmoil, neither of us are really trying to comfort each other because we try not to think about it. If anything we have enough fat stores on our bodies to keep us warm this winter.
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It is an unsettling time. Years ago I decided to put a contingent plan in place. I have a former career that I left, and while I don’t want to go back to it full-time, I am willing if I need to. Once I put the plan in place, reviewed my potential income against what expenses we would have (after making some hypothetical cut-backs) I have felt secure ever sense. The worst feeling for me is when I feel backed into a corner and have no options. Always got to keep those options open and look beyond what feels like limiting circumstances. Thanks for posing the questions. I think it’s time I dust that contingency plan off and see if it needs some revising.
Contingency plan: Buy a farm, plant and grow all the food…
and rely on the internet for generate funds… 
Fail-proof plan!
You’ve got your years supply of food, and some savings set aside, right? You should be set then.
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