Friday, July 31, 2009

Tight Credit Market

The tight credit market and business losses are making card issuers reduce credit lines, much to the distress of those who got in over their heads.

I thought that going to law school would benefit me economically; turns out, not so much, but I'm not doing as bad as this guy! Who knew that a little thing like crazy student loans could keep you out of the bar? I wonder if part of it is the change in the economy and the fact that unless he got a highly-paid job, he would have real trouble repaying the loan. Then again, not allowing him in sortof makes that all too likely.

In a Federal case, a guy who made it into the bar in Minnesota attempted to discharge his $350k in student loans through bankruptcy; my understanding is that ship sailed in the early 80's, courtesy of people like a colleagues sister, who attempted to discharge a month or so after the rules changed, moved out of state and didn't pay for years. Until a friend was over, answered the phone and gave the caller her employment information. That's an awkward friendship moment!

It seems that many things seem like a good idea at the time, but turn out later not to have been. We're conditioned, in American society, for immediate gratification, unlike a few generations ago where cash was king and you just plain didn't get something if you didn't have money.

People did crazy things, too, like save.

No comments: