Higher wages, lower prices, more savings...
In the past 12 months average hourly wages rose 3.1%
Gasoline prices are 37% lower now than they were this time last summer.
The Housing Affordability Index rose 32.5% in the 12 months from May 2008 to May 2009.
Americans are saving over 4% of their disposable income.
Mortgage interest rates on 30 year fixed loans are 20% lower today than a year ago.
Crime has been going down...
Violent crime rates were down 2.5% in 2008.
Looking at things with a 'glass is half full' perspective...
90.6% of working Americans are employed.
92.5% of working women in the US are employed.
99.5% of banks are operating successfully in 2009.
99.75% of mortgages did not go into foreclosure in May 2009.
55% of Americans carry no credit card balances
23% of Americans have no debt whatsoever
Data sources: Employment Situation Summary for May 2009 FDIC bank stats. Realtytrac May foreclosure report Realtor Housing Affordability Index. FBI crime data. Gasbuddy BEA savings rate Freddiemac mortgage data
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