Recession Not Over Yet for Atlanta Consumers Struggling With Debt
The Great Recession really is over - if you listen to the National Bureau of Economic Research, that is. But if you're like many Americans, you might beg to differ.
Based on GDP, employment rates and earnings, economists claim the recession ended last June, over 15 months ago, say Atlanta bankruptcy attorneys. But to folks still overwhelmed with credit card bills, limited income and a mortgage payment, the cloud of economic doom feels far from being lifted. So what's the truth? Turns out, the truth is what you make it.
Sure, the economy holds some sway over our finances - like when slow business leads to a family member being laid off, or the unstable real estate market causes the value of your home drops drastically. But how we prepare for - and recover from - these scenarios has more to do with our choices than our country's GDP.
In a way, it's good news because it means that we don't have to wait for the economy to get back on track - we can do it ourselves. Maybe it's time to stop making excuses based on what the media is telling us, and start making changes.
No matter what your financial situation, there are choices you can make today to improve your finances tomorrow - so when the economy recovers, you'll be in a prime position to take advantage. Those choices range from tracking your spending to organizing your bills so you don't accidentally miss payments, from working on a budget that helps you save more each month, even if just a little bit, to using that extra cash to pay down debt and thus lower interest.
Of course, organizing your finances can be a bit tricky if you've let them run wild for years. But if you find yourself getting overwhelmed, no need to give up. Help is never far away - for instance, at the free community financial workshops hosted in Chicago by DebtStoppers, you'll have access to expert advice on managing money, stopping foreclosure and filing for bankruptcy. So when is the recession officially over? When you say it is.