What were you doing during the time period depicted in the novel? Were you impacted by the economic downturn, and if so, in what ways?
I was retired during this period, living on a fixed income. I did worry about my investments as I have to live off these but I’m grateful that I had good advisors and while I lost some money I still have some. Overall I was lucky.
I was working and routinely contributing to my retirements funds. Boom! 2008! I stayed the course with advice from good financial planners. We’re okay now; however… While it’s good to see the Dow over 50,000, will there be another boom soon? Retired now and wondering.
It was interesting to think how the global events affected our finances. In 2008, my husband and I were both working and finishing putting three children through college.
I was separated from my husband and just bought a house on my own. Since he was the type who couldn’t save a dime I did much better on my own. Maybe that’s why I relate to Tomoko. I was so used to being thrifty and I had a secure job so the downturn didn’t seem to affect me.
I was getting ready to retire. At that time I lost $10,000 in the snap of a finger with Lehman Brothers Holdings. I’m much wiser today because of it.
I was working full time as was my husband. We did not have investments, we had a home, and our kids were graduated from college. It affected my kids and how we could help them.
I was working at that time and watched the value of my accounts plummet. It was discouraging but I had no choice except ride it out. I retired in 2023 so my investment accounts had mostly recovered. Would have been nice to not lose so much in the first place.
We were in the midst of raising our family and just kept working and saving and hoping that things would bounce back. Which of course, they eventually did, but this could happen again and it would be more difficult for us now, if it does, since we are retired and living off of our investments now.
During the years from 1998 to 2008, I was working full time, raising two children, and helping my husband battle cancer. He lost his fight in 2001 and I turned to trusted friends to find a financial planner to invest the money I inherited/life insurance, etc. I was worried in 2008 but stayed the course and did not shelter with cash as many did. Great decision!