AMERICANS FORCED TO ADJUST LIFESTYLES:

From the wall street to the main street, there is no doubt that America is going through a harsh economic period.The housing market has dropped by an alarming rate, forcing people to walk out of their homes. Hundreds of people are losing jobs everyday. The affected workforce ranges from airline to manufacturing industries. A lot of people who used take pride in driving their individual cars to work, are now abandoning them for public transport.

Food prices are high, and food banks are witness to that. Gleaners, a leading food bank in Indiana, the last two years has seen a staggering rise in families that rely on hand outs. A lot of people are forced to adjust from their luxury lifestyles. The fall of the US dollar has also contributed to the misery of the fun loving American people.

Most people are now shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill, and and other second hand clothes places. ( KoMpedzanamo) Pawns shops are also seeing a rise in both customers, and traders. Only few people are going to big stores for brand names goods like Lazarus and Mercies.

When I first came here about eight years ago I used to fill my car by just $10. And now that same tank needs something like $35.I never complained about gas prices, as a matter of fact I did not even bother to compare prices from different gas stations. Back then a gallon of gas was $1,80 and now its $4,15 .The meal mealies I used to buy for $1,35 is now $3,49 and that is just for 2 kg. After all the bills are paid I can hardly find change in my pockets.

The employers and the employees are feeling the pinch. Many companies are closing down for good. Can you imagine being greeted by a security guard at your company gate in the morning, telling you that the company is closed. The George Bush administration had to approve a tax rebate cash back system to help the struggling working families.

This is not only an effort to plough back into the economy, but also to boost the consumer confidence.Perhaps people will spend without holding back. Politicians and economists in Washington are struggling with terms, some are saying this a recession, while others think it's a depression .To me, it feels we are going through both.