One second we’re told that the economy is steered towards destruction, the next we’re told that things aren’t looking so bad, and then of course the fed tightens credit and raises interest rates. Predictions about the economy are as volatile and varied, it seems, as the economy itself. So just what are we to believe? Should we buy as much gold and silver as we can and hide them somewhere safe? Probably not. But it doesn’t hurt to start thinking ahead and more in terms of the bigger picture either.

And despite the crashing housing market and the effects it now has on consumer credit, most corporations and organizations seem to handling it all fairly well. Perhaps the profits they made during the massive expansion in the past few years helped cushion the fall this time. This is as good as a time to do some corporal and personal introspection, and if the Fed decides to tighten the leash on lending a little bit, the US economy—and the rest of the world economy—can take it no problem.

Sustainability, as well as profitability, should be involved as a major principle in business planning, as well as in personal finance. If the housing market crash hasn’t taught us a lesson or two about buying into the hype, then an economic crisis is inevitable in this country.