Author: Nicole Letaw, Associate Producer

Everywhere I look I see people struggling, working two or three jobs, trying to buy a home or maybe even losing their home, barely able to afford filling up at the pump, cutting back on groceries, and even staying home more often to save money.

I can relate to this group of people, especially when I’m sitting quietly at my second job (which happens to be a university library). It’s in those quiet moments when it hits me how bad the economy really is.

Usually I tune out, but lately I’ve picked up on peoples’ conversations around me. I listen to their frustrations about how hard it is to make it these days. These people range in age from millenials to baby boomers and from entry level to well established professionals.

I finally took the plunge and starting investing in the stock market a few months ago. I thought I could take advantage of the deteriorating market and do some bottom fishing, since I am a small time investor and don’t have a lot of capital to spare. I also thought the only way I would really learn about the stock market is if I got involved in it.

So the first stock I purchased was Apple (APPL) because I am a die-hard Apple fan. I paid a pretty penny for it, and at one point I lost nearly $100. But as I look today, its gone back up and I have only lost $45. I remember the first day I saw its stock drop; I was so upset and angry. I was kicking myself (not literally) and thought I was a complete idiot and should have never wasted my money in the market especially in a company that has so much hype and lures in people of my age. But as time passed and I kind of forgot about all of that and regained some faith in the market, I began buying more stocks.

I am starting to think I am becoming Republican because it seems like I have been paying more attention to that political party this election…not by choice, but chance. I was so busy over the MLK holiday weekend, I completely spaced on the last Democratic debate that aired this past Monday. Last night I attended the Republican debate at Florida Atlantic University not because I am Republican or actually covering the event, but because I wanted to witness a part of history.

It was very interesting to watch the media hustle and bustle about… tangled cords, blinding lights in almost every direction, cameras, and the bountiful amount of reporters… absolutely a media frenzy. Although overwhelming, it reminded me why I picked this line of work. I felt like a paparazzi weaseling my way through the crowd to try and get up close and personal with the candidates. I snapped a few shots of Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee, but the other candidates were out of sight.

Last night, my friends and I gathered to watch the Republican debate. We had discussions in between and afterwards; we talked about what's most important to us. We also thought Ronald Reagan was resurrected from the dead and running for President because they spent so much time talking about his regime. The shaky cameras were equally as annoying.

I never thought I'd be so interested in politics as I am now. I have been sucked into the debates and the constant campaigning. The first two primaries have left me thirsting for more. Maybe I was too young or in a different state of mind to appreciate the last election. I was a month shy of voting age in 2000, and when Al Gore was made out to be a cry-baby over the Florida (the state I reside in) recount vote… I was absolutely disgusted.

Currently, I am reading my grandfather’s autobiography (he’s actually still in the process of writing it), and it’s amazing to me that the American Dream has changed dramatically in the past 60 years. The dream of owning your own home one day seemed feasible, but today that dream has become a nightmare! The housing woes and mortgage meltdown have put a massive damper on the economy. And all the uninformed people who thought they were getting the deal of the century (by getting one of those subprime loans) are probably now shrieking with resentment. I almost became one of those unfortunate people.

Two years ago (September 2005), I was looking into the real estate market. I didn’t have a down payment, but I kept hearing of this wonderful 100% financing. I was renting at the time and thought it was better to buy than throw my money in the garbage. I was determined. I started looking for homes on the Internet, picked up books at grocery stores, and even called a realtor. I had an excellent credit score and two jobs, so I thought it would be easy. Wrong!

I may be in my early 20’s, but I have already started saving for the year 2047 (if I plan on retiring at 65). I entered my first 401k plan when I was nearly 19 years old while working at America’s favorite department store “Macy’s.” I didn’t really understand the logistics of a 401k, but my older co-workers urged me to enter it and so I did.

Like most young adults in college and on a tight budget… most of us would opt out of anything that reduces our paycheck even if it’s only a few bucks. I thought at the time, it’s only a small amount (4% of my income) and may come in handy later. That tiny sacrifice of about $400 has already risen to nearly $800. Not too shabby? I definitely saw the growth in only a couple of years and that was enough to tell me 401ks are smart.

A few months ago, I entered into my current employer’s 401k plan (after waiting a year to become eligible). This time I am contributing a little more money because the company offers a percentage match. I would be a fool not to take advantage of it… it’s free money!

I had been eyeing the iPhone since its release in late June. We had featured it on our program numerous times and every time I saw it I became a little more obsessed. I would frequent AT&T and Apple stores just to get a glimpse, caress it, and even try to fool myself that it wasn’t worth the money. But in my heart I knew it was … its sleekness, its capacity, its fascinating features… all make it so attractive. Plus, it’s one the newest/hottest items on the market.

I was due for an upgrade. I had a Razr for almost 2 years, and the condition of my phone couldn’t possibly get any poorer… the constant buzzing sound, the turning off in the middle of conversations, and the battery that never held a charge. I was in desperate need of a new phone. I paraded the AT&T stores (since it was already my carrier) for a phone: Blackberry, BlackJack, the new MotoRazr V3xx… BORING! No other phone could compare to my obsession. The price tag was just not in my budget, so I kept holding out… hoping for some miracle… and then it happened. Last Wednesday. Steve Jobs lowered the price by $200 in an Apple presser (that's newsroom slang for press conference)! I immediately received at least 5 phone calls from friends who said, “Now is your chance to finally get one!”