Stock Shock

MONICA SIGLER

Age 32

Resides Manhattan

Occupation Singer-songwriter

Are you worried about the stock market? Yes. My brother works for Morgan Stanley, and he has basically lost our family’s life savings.

Are you trying to save money? I’m trying to. I just opened a savings account for the first time in my life. I never had money when I was growing up. My mother and brother have lived a bit beyond their means. Now I think they’re coming down to my level.

What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought lately? A 1967 Gretsch guitar. It sounds amazing. It was $1200. I put down payments on it. It’s teal green, my favorite color.

MARYAM GREENIDGE

Age 18

Resides Long Island

Occupation Student

Are you worried about the stock market? Yes, because the system is shaky. The schism between the rich and the poor is getting wider. You have people flying around in private jets and other people on the street with nothing.

Are you trying to save money? I’m trying, but I have a savings account with only about $100 in it. I’m becoming more frugal because I’m afraid we’re headed for another Great Depression. We buy so many things we don’t need.

What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought lately? A winter coat from Burberry’s that I’ll probably wear twice. It was on sale but it was still a lot of money. I’m about to spend $1000 on books. They’re so expensive, and you read them once. When will you ever read The History of the Universe again?

JOHN CRANE

Age 22

Resides New Jersey

Occupation Musician

Are you worried about the stock market? I hope the market’s going to come back, but I don’t know if Bush’s anti-corruption bill will have any effect on consumer confidence.

Are you trying to save money? I save, and I’ve gotten into the market, but nothing’s really been affected by the current crisis. I just keep enough in my account to pay my monthly bills, then I invest the rest.

What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought lately? I bought a new bass amp. It was about $2500, but it was totally worth it. I really didn’t blink, because I needed it for my band.

MARTIN HUQ

Age 27

Resides Brooklyn

Occupation Singer-songwriter

Are you worried about the stock market? I’m following it, but not on a daily basis. I think there are going to be so many more companies that collapse. Right now everyone’s concerned about terrorism, but I’m afraid that 10 years down the road Americans will wake up and our democracy will have been completely eroded.

Are you trying to save money? No, I’m not saving a dime. I’m actually quite in debt. I quit my job in April to promote my new CD.

What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought lately? A Martin guitar for $1400. I also bought new p.a. system, JBL Mackie for $2500.

ISAAC MONCION

Age 22

Resides Manhattan

Occupation Manager

Are you worried about the stock market? I think the state of the market has to do with trust and with the fact that people don’t trust the system. There’s a complete lack of stability right now. People are still blaming the economy on 9-11.

Are you trying to save money? I’ve been saving more since 9-11. You never know what will happen.

What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought lately? A cell phone. I lived for a year without one, and then I pretty much had to get a cell phone or an answering machine.

MARIA JOHNSON

Age 21

Resides Manhattan

Occupation Student

Are you worried about the stock market? I’m paying some attention to the market. I heard Bush’s little speech in the middle of the day, and read his little bill. That bill isn’t going to send anybody to jail, certainly not any of his rich friends.

Are you trying to save money? I’ve always saved money. Right now I’m trying not to be a broke student.

What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought lately? A grilled chicken salad for $20. I could have gone somewhere else and spent a lot less money, but I was really hungry.

KIM HORNING

Age 43

Resides Manhattan

Occupation Actress

Are you worried about the stock market? Yes. I have a little money in the market, part of a small inheritance that’s in a trust. It’s in bond funds, so I can’t get it out. Right now I have a paper loss, but if you get out it’s a real one.

Are you trying to save money? No. I’m always hoping that I’m going to make more money as an actress.

What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought lately? The first three seasons of Sex and the City.