Echo asked:

Why is it so difficult for us (as a country, as a community) to work together to get us through this recession (depression). Let’s see if I can clarify what I mean…

Basically you have millions of lower and middle class Americans just barely getting by, barely making ends meet, and due to lay offs and such, just barely being able to keep their house (or losing their house all together). Each of us have things that we need. Whether it is clothes for our children, or food, or other such things like blankets and other household items. Then, there are those of us who have these things laying around the house that we are not using. Instead of giving them away to someone who could use them, we donate them to places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill…now, don’t get me wrong, these are good causes, but what happens is that the poor people now have to go pay to get these things. Why not give them to someone?

Maybe my thinking is a tad idealistic, but I just wonder why we can’t help each other more in making it through these rough times and helping each other save money through our strengths. Whether it is helping someone with their finances, hosting a pot-luck type dinner to cut down on costs, maybe fixing something for someone who can’t afford to have it fixed (like their car or something, if you possess that talent), giving your clothes to someone who can use them, or to people with children younger than yours. If you have children who are 7 or 8, I’m sure you can remember how quickly children grow out of their clothes and how much clothes cost (even if you purchase them second hand or on sale).

By helping people with these things, we can help free up money for each other so that we may live a little better life. Have money for the rising (once again) gas prices, or other little things that make our life worth living.
idk. It was just a thought. I know I am not one of the more financially uneducated people of society that is living way beyond their means. My family of 4 lives off of $30,000 a year. But I guess for my family, the little things like getting hand-me-down clothes, or having a handy friend who can help save us a few bucks on a project or a car repair rather than paying a professional a substantial portion in labor would go a long way to help us.