The greater world seems to get a little more depressing every year, and every year I try a little harder to get OFF that train and get a little more autonomy from it. Not always successfully.

Within the past couple of months, the results of a major research study on economic conditions was released here in the US, showing that 51 million households in this country are now financially "at risk." That's 41% of the population of (allegedly) the richest nation of the planet.

"At risk" means a household that's not entirely certain how they will pay for rent, basic bills and food for the next 30 days. We're not talking unemployed slackers here; we're talking lots and lots of what is sometimes referred to as the "working poor."

My wife and I are in the "at risk" group, too... even though we are self-employed.