Learning Frugality

I'm sure that everyone is blogging about today being the 7th anniversary of the awful terrorist attack on our country. Memorial services were held in New York, PA, the Pentagon, and the White House. I think it's wonderful that our country stops its harsh debates and puts aside its differences long enough to remember those who lost their lives during that attack.

Some people now believe that we are out of the woods, so to speak. I am not of that belief. We cannot let down our guard to the terrorist. The polls are showing that people now put our economy ahead of all our other problems and terrorism ranked last. What?? I want to know what good a great economy is if we have no country at all! How can this be last in so many intelligent people's minds, I wonder. The threat is still present and we must continue to combat this for our country's security. Yes, these are hard times for many, many folks; if anyone doubts that, they can compare their grocery bills with last year, their energy and fuel bills with last year, and just a bill from some place like Wally World with one from the past. But, if most of us will look at our pay stubs, we have received a little raise even if it was taken away from us for higher insurance premiums, etc. Think of those in other lands who don't have what we do; yet, they are surviving (many of them with dignity and pride). Most of us worked hard to get where we are today and we had hoped to be able to save more for the future. A report today says that "baby boomers" and their offspring are worst off than ever. Why? the report says they have over-extended themselves: buying bigger homes, boats, etc., wanting more and more, better and better. I guess it's time we pulled back, tightened our belts, and suck it in. Do we really need all that we have? Why do these multi-rich people think they need more (I would be satisfied with just one mil; I don't need billions and neither do they). At the same time, I have worked for my level of income and prefer to make my own choices about how to use it, or not use it; I don't wish to live in a socialistic climate where those decisions are taken away and/or made for me. Whatever... I will step down from my soapbox and start practicing a lifestyle of frugality. My question is, have we waited too late? What's next?