Besides putting off my retirement plans, eligible this coming January, and the 25% loss in value of my investments at the moment... I'm doing fine compared to many. My job is basically "recession proof" as I work in a State Prison. My wife also works for the State Health Dept. and just received a management promotion. However, two of my sisters have lost their jobs and a third one has just moved to Florida to remain employed. There are no good paying jobs, unless one works for state or federal government, in my part of the country (western NY) any more. My children will probably have to pursue employment elsewhere, one already has, when the time comes. We'll probably move in the future ourselves to be nearer our family, and get out of this high tax State. They don't call it the Empire Vampire State for nothing.