Moving home: Why the U.S. economy will improve during the next 6 months

U.S. economicsts will have a smile on their faces during the next few months because the Nylund family will need to buy a few things once we move home, namely a house, a car or two, a washer and dryer, a hair dryer or two, 2 or 3 clock radios, several desk and floor lamps, a sofa, a coffee machine, a refrigerator, a freezer, a lawn mower, a TV, a DVD player, toaster oven, etc.

While we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off preparing to move to Germany with only 6 weeks notice, we had the good fortune to strike a deal with an American colleague of David's who, at the same time, was moving from Germany back to the U.S.  We basically traded many household items with her:  hair dryers, toasters, DVD players, clock radios, coffee makers, etc.  We even traded minivans.  Having those things waiting for us in Germany made our transition much easier than it could have been.

We're now trying to sell the things here that we cannot take home, but once we're back in the U.S., we'll be buying more things than we want to think about.  I told David and the kids, "Birthdays and Christmas for the next year will include things like clock radios, desk lamps and hair dryers.  Sorry kids, but nothing fun for a while."  

The good news about all this is that we can buy the latest technology -- more fuel-efficient cars, a more efficient washing machine and refrigerator.  And we'll try to get by with one TV (you can watch so much TV on the computer now, we may only need one actual television set.  In fact with sites like Hulu, I'm not sure we even need a DVR anymore.  And do we go with satellite or just an HD antenna?).  David and the kids are looking forward to getting our first flat screen TV.

We'll just be doing our little bit to help out the U.S. economy.