Remember When.....?

...one bought a home to live in, not as a "real estate investment?"

...common knowledge held that one had to live in a house for about 5 years to even recoup closing costs if selling again?

....taking money without earning it was embarrassing and not an "entitlement?"

....we all understood that borrowing money meant eventually paying it back?

....paying off debts was a point of personal honor?

....the "News" was actually informative and not tabloid sensationalism? (OK, me neither on that one)

My favorite "scary" headline today: "1 in 5 U.S. Mortgage Borrowers Are Underwater." That means 4 out of 5 aren't. Even with all the foolish "no money down" loans that have been taken out in the last decade, only 20% of the homes are worth more than the buyer paid for them. I found that statistic reassuring considering all the nonsense that has gone on in the real estate market over the last few years. And, even those who do owe more than the house is worth, they would otherwise be paying RENT to live somewhere. Houses are a place to LIVE. If one makes money out of it, great. If one doesn't, one has basically paid rent to oneself. How foolish does the media think we really are?