Americans' wealth growing

Real estate holdings account for 30% of net worth. Individual stocks make up 14% of net worth. Mutual funds make up 8% of net worth. Bank accounts, checking accounts and other savings products make up nearly 14% of net worth. The balance includes retirement accounts, bonds and possesions such as cars and jewelry.

According to estimates by Jack VanDerhei of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 86% of people with 401(k) retirement savings plans now have more money in their accounts than at the market peak in October 2007.

The Fed said overall household debt dipped to 13.4 trillion in July-September period. That's a 3.5% drop from a peak in early 2008. Debt now accounts for 122% of Americans' disposable income, down from a peak of 135% in late 2007.

CHIC; Cosidered smart without the deadening implication of intelligent.

QUALITY OF LIFE; What an industrialized nation is said to offer when enough of its citizens are suffering from terminal stress.

POSITIVE THINKING; Self-improvement through self-deception.

STATE-OF-THE-ART; Soon-to-be-obsolete

have prosperous and healthy wealthy and wise new year