Help, my 401(k) is a 101(k)!

Blogger reactions to the impact of the economy on their retirement accounts:

Seems contradictory that the same weekend I finally gathered enough courage to open up my 401K statement I also went on an online shopping spree. Based on the statement I should be conserving every penny I can, but :shrug:. Sometimes a gal’s just gotta shop!

Female, 40s, St. Louis, MO

I'm not sure how any costume could be scarier than today's economy. There's not enough fake blood in the world to frighten me more than watching my 401k shrivel to the size of a walnut.

Female, 40s, Ventura County, CA

Two weeks ago, I switched my 401K out of stocks and into a stable fund (basically a savings account) until the market stabilizes. I don't expect that until after Nov. 4 and maybe not until inauguration day. But if I see a glimmer of a stable bottom, I'm jumping back into stocks (since they can only go up). I should have gotten out sooner, but I'm an amateur at this stuff.

Male, 40s, Dallas, TX

It seems that the people around me care only about superficial things, such as clothes, gossip, their 401k, the thing that are bothering them in that moment, their grades (I'm a college student), etc. Can't anyone see past those stupid and simple things to see the important parts of life?

Male, 18-21

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace,dreams , the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.
So....here's my checkbook and my car-keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood.

Female, 34, Midwest


Analysis: The majority of conversation about 401(k)s came from men and women in their 40s. This group, presumably, has 15-20 years until they can touch their retirement funds. For this reason, their dismay- and often fright- at the devaluation of their investments seemed to be trumped by the idea that the money would gain value again by the time they need it.

Want more analysis? Drop me a line at HeatherM@nicholasresearch.com

*Image courtesy of ABC News

Columbus Day!

What did Americans have to say about this week's holiday?

In the afternoon, we loaded up the kids and headed off to the board of elections to vote. This year, Ohio is allowing early voting, something that I think is wonderful.

Male, 30s, Southwestern, Ohio, Marketing Manager

I went to the gym yesterday morning!! About 1030 something. I was off from work. hehe I like the morning work outs much better. … I want to work my arms to burn calories and strengthen them. Then I went to Cato's to shop. I had a gift card left over from last Christmas. I bought two pairs of pants. One jeans and one dress slacks. The jeans were on sale.

Female, 31, Kentucky, Self-employed

Thank Goodness for Christopher Columbus!! I mean, what would we do without the day off of school and the sales. *smile* The kids were in deseparte need of new shoes, so I went to my local Payless Shoe Source. They were having a BOGO sale.

Female, 40s, Richmond, VA


It wasn’t until last fall that i realized that columbus day was a real holiday (just another excuse for lazy gov’t folks to not go to work), and I am in fact a little offended we give Columbus his own day that’s treated equivalently. Is he really as honorable as all the people killed serving in the military or the people who work hard in this country?

Female, 20s, Washington, DC

If you are like most people, chances are you had off from work today. Hopefully in the spirit of Columbus Day you spent it out discovering your own piece of America and really enjoyed the day off. Here's a couple songs to cap off the theme of the day.

Grace Potter and The Nocturnals - Mr. Columbus
Graham Parker - I Discovered America

Male, Philadelphia PA

Common themes included: Reflecting on the meaning of Columbus day, pondering the legitimacy of the holiday, discussing how the day was spent and talking about Columbus Day sales. Want more analysis? Contact me: heatherm@nicholasresearch.com.

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Americans and Whoppers

With the official announcement that Burger King will open it’s first Whopper Bar in Orlando, we wonder, how does the good ole Whopper fit into the American life?


“I had a Whopper Jr. and an Icee. Did that EVER take me back! I can't remember the last time I had a Whopper Jr. Or an Icee, for that matter. But I do remember what they both represent. … I have these very vivid images of Papa at Burger King after church with us. I would always get a Whopper Jr. with no onions and french fries.” (Female, 30s, student)

“Mandorallyn [a toddler] had a Whopper Jr. (well, she ate the top of the bun, half the bottom bun, the tomato, the onion and a fourth of the meat pattie) and I had a Whopper Jr. and small onion rings.” (Female, 20s, Southern California, homemaker)

“I knew I wanted a Burger King, and my standard fare there is the double whopper. Whoppers are a fickle thing. A single whopper for a grown man with my stats is usually not enough: too much bread. A double is sometimes too much: lots of meat.” (Male, 30s, Vermont)

“For lunch I had: A Whopper w/Cheese - YIKES!!!! No fries and no soda though at least. Just the burger and a water. I had no dinner, and I danced all night - so I did work off the bad stuff that I ate earlier I hope!!!!” (Female)

“A couple days ago I filled up my gas tank at a whopping $3.85/gallon and on the way home I swung by Burger King to grab a whopper jr. and paid only $1.06 w/ tax.” (Female)

Even considering the fact that there are more women bloggers, in general, it was surprising how many women blogged about this burger.

Want more analysis? E-mail: heatherm@nicholasresearch.com