recall Bernicke's assertion that the older one gets, the less one spends? well, the flaw may have been found! "The reality: Most older Americans don't have much financial room for maneuver -- and if they're spending less, it probably isn't out of choice." see http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115505641496829993-_J_SQS1SRa3R7zGLKTQHBM0Mftc_20060815.html?mktw seems the reduced spending was in large part because of reduced assets! (where did i hear that before?! )