Economy, Maine... (Phillips: student loan, how much, transfer)

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

I am well aware of the disease that is the Fed, but you hit on what could be considered the cause of the current hard times. When there is too much money and too much credit pumped into the system inflation occurs. As the prices begin to raise, people began to hold off on spending--they start saving more as they to stretch out their dollar. With the lack of spending the economy starts to head towards a recession until people start spending again and it all evens out.....for awhile.

That digital money has always existed as just a number on a piece of paper.

The home loan 'crisis' has more to do with what is going on in this country economically then the price for a barrel of oil. OPEC sets the price of oil, not the US.

The problem with people not spending is when they start saving, they stop paying their credit card debt. The precedent was set in the late 80's when it became "trendy" to claim bankruptsy. The shame was taken out of it as more and more people filed. These days people can easily rack up credit debt far beyond their means to repay. Their fallback will be bankruptsy. Bankruptsies are again on the rise and are a good indicator of the real state of the economy.

[WILWRadio]

This is a great string going here. Nice to see some people FULLY understand the big picture. Sadly, most American's are too ignorant and shallow to see what is taking place.
I too am preparing and I will be relocating to a smaller community within the year.

BTW. Most of Minnesota heats with natural gas. There are some homes in the northern part of the state around Hibbing that do use heating oil but most of the state uses natural gas.

[RANGER.101ST]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

This is a great string going here. Nice to see some people FULLY understand the big picture. Sadly, most American's are too ignorant and shallow to see what is taking place.
I too am preparing and I will be relocating to a smaller community within the year.

BTW. Most of Minnesota heats with natural gas. There are some homes in the northern part of the state around Hibbing that do use heating oil but most of the state uses natural gas.

i dont think that they are shallow i think they have put their blinders on and hopeing this mess will fix it's self.it's what they have allways done.
the american public has become obeediant and dosile.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

BTW. Most of Minnesota heats with natural gas. There are some homes in the northern part of the state around Hibbing that do use heating oil but most of the state uses natural gas.

I have a good friend from Hibbing....never mentioned heating oil.

Yeah, natural gas seems to be the way they do it. Don't get me wrong, though, even with natural gas your rate will magically double, or triple, when the winter hits. Supply and demand they call it

[WILWRadio]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

I have a good friend from Hibbing....never mentioned heating oil.

Yeah, natural gas seems to be the way they do it. Don't get me wrong, though, even with natural gas your rate will magically double, or triple, when the winter hits. Supply and demand they call it

I looked at houses in nearby Chisholm and noted that many were heated by oil. Same over in Virginia and Eveleth too. An Iron Range thing apparently.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

I have a good friend from Hibbing....never mentioned heating oil.

Yeah, natural gas seems to be the way they do it. Don't get me wrong, though, even with natural gas your rate will magically double, or triple, when the winter hits. Supply and demand they call it

It always seemed to me that demand would increase sales volumetrically so increases in price would be counter productive. For half the year when the gas, oil or what have you just sits in storage and they are not selling as much it seems to me that is when prices would be higher to make up for LESS demand. It would be like Wal-Mart jacking up the price on charcoal for the summer when demand is high. As we know charcoal prices drop a lot in the summer as the retailer has a large volume of it on hand to sell.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by RANGER.101ST

how can you say its an independent occurrence? it affects every thing and every one.
if a company has to pay extra for oil then they have to raise their price on their product.
thats one jump then you have to ship that product thats jump #2 them the retailor thats #3 now a product that cost 5$ a year ago now cost 8.
veen if the price went back to 100$ or even 90$ a barel thats not going to fix what has all ready happend .you hear every week that unemployment is down.it isnt downe they come up with that figure based on how many people are collecting unemployment that week.the only reason unemployment is downe is peopls bennifets ran out and cant collect any more.that doesnt mean they are back to work.

The cost of oil has risen by what, $90 to $100 since 2002 alone (hard to believe that a about six years ago the price per barrel was around $25). That's OPEC oil, by the way, and correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't OPEC set their own prices? The C in OPEC does stand for Cartel, doesn't it?

The US did become a participating member of OPEC during the occupation of Iraq, but Iraq's oil production has been under quota since 1998 (makes you wonder?).

Anyways, when did the economy began to go down the drain? Some say it is a recent thing that began around the time of the housing market catastrophe, others claim that it goes all the way back to the Eighties. When ever it did begin, it began on it's own accord, not because of the recent (last year or so) of high gas prices.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by Maineah

It always seemed to me that demand would increase sales volumetrically so increases in price would be counter productive. For half the year when the gas, oil or what have you just sits in storage and they are not selling as much it seems to me that is when prices would be higher to make up for LESS demand. It would be like Wal-Mart jacking up the price on charcoal for the summer when demand is high. As we know charcoal prices drop a lot in the summer as the retailer has a large volume of it on hand to sell.

That is what you'd think, but it doesn't work that way. During the summer months your gas bill can be around $20 a month. Come January it is $100, $200, or $300 dollars a month. The thing is that it will go up regardless if you actually use the heater or not. But, there is supposed to be someone who comes around once a month to take a gas meter reading. Unless they have to come through your living space while you are home you will never know if they actually stop by to take a reading unless you contact the gas company. Often times they will tell you that no one actually came by to take a reading and what they are doing instead is just charging you based on last years (historical) usage for that time of year (but charging you this years current going price).

But like I said, your bill goes way up even if your gas use remains the same as it did during the summer months (such as you have electrical heaters) or you where a parka indoors.

[Maineah]

I think some of this can be placed on the lap of the media, hollywood, and the seduction of the middle class into becoming a false upper middle class via credit, be it second mortgages,home equity,sub prime mortgages and the like. Even print media like magazines and newspapers are full of seductive temptations to have the best of whatever it is on the block! Maine is not as much as a "keeping up with the Jones" type of suburbia as many parts of the country . If you watch some of these home repair shows that define what is acceptable (to them) many Maine homes are sub standard to down right old fashioned to them. It's the display of accomplishment and "having made it" whether actual or ficticious that drives so many to buy way more house than they need, more car than they need, take expensive vacations, big boats,join fancy spas,country clubs etc. I know several young couples who have played the country club games installing tennis courts, pools etc. when working as a saleseman for LL Bean or selling insurance. Eventually it caught up to them and they are all divorced, or seperated, and bankrupt now. Thay HAD to have it all and they eventually LOST it all too! If you don't think this country is full of mindless people who will follow any trend just take a look at the obsession with American Idol . That will show you the depth of thinking in this country.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

That is what you'd think, but it doesn't work that way. During the summer months your gas bill can be around $20 a month. Come January it is $100, $200, or $300 dollars a month. The thing is that it will go up regardless if you actually use the heater or not. But, there is supposed to be someone who comes around once a month to take a gas meter reading. Unless they have to come through your living space while you are home you will never know if they actually stop by to take a reading unless you contact the gas company. Often times they will tell you that no one actually came by to take a reading and what they are doing instead is just charging you based on last years (historical) usage for that time of year (but charging you this years current going price).

But like I said, your bill goes way up even if your gas use remains the same as it did during the summer months (such as you have electrical heaters) or you where a parka indoors.

I thought natural gas was metered like electricity or water is around here?? At least with oil you own it when it's in the tank.