Are permies hurting the economy?

Just reading about slower growth in G20 economies on the BBC website :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19589501

I keep reading over and over again, in different places, how the economy is slowing down. Not a huge surprise, but do you guys think that more and more people looking and engaging into a more sustainable way of life are actually already having an impact on the global economy? I'd consider that a good thing, just to be clear!

I would imagine that all of those unemployed people not having any money to spend has something to do with it.

I heard the other day on the news that 40% of home mortgages are in some form of distress.
Houses are not worth what they were a few years ago, and many potential buyers are being turned down by the lenders.

If our economy was based on production (like it used to be), instead of 'services' we would be doing much better.

Unfortunately, we can't blame the permaculturists for the financial woes. "Ain't enough of us yet."
Almost everybody is cutting back on discretionary spending.

The other day somebody asked why there were so many furniture store ads on TV.
My answer: Who's going to buy a new dining room set if they don't know if they can pay their mortgage in 6 months?

I don't think we're hurting the economy so much as we may be leading the way to a new economy. From my own experience, I've stopped spending on any unnecessary things and put more of my dollars towards things that help me make life better for my family's future.

For example: I made an investment in a lot of seeds, row covers, books and tools early in the year. I've already made my money back by selling fruit, veggies and seeds. I have increased fertility, food production and knowledge. I saved a lot of seed that I won't have to but next year. All in all I probably saved a couple grand that admittedly, didn't go to a grocery store, won't go to the seed company and can't be wasted on things I don't need again.

So am I hurting the economy? Maybe a little, but it's benefiting me and my family now. In the long run I'll be in a better position to enter the economy as a producer of better quality items for others. So currently I'm not as good of a consumer as I used to be and I'm not yet a producer so...

It is a puzzle . Our economy is based on conspicuous consumption. Ever growing levels of buying and selling. But the basic unit of the economy is the individual and the family. It seems that when the individual units of the economy turn to thrift and savings , the uberlords start crying out. If savings and thrift are good for the basic unit of the economy then who is it bad for ? Logically , if savings and thrift strengthen the basic unit then that economic strength would extend outward into the larger economy. Just not where the uberlords want that strength to extend - to them. The public cry is always jobs , jobs , jobs. If we stop spending then we create less jobs. However if I have saved and developed a pattern of thrift in my home , maybe I have less need of a second job or a second income by my spouse. Maybe I can spend more time raising a garden , animals , do-it -myself projects , helping a freind with theirs. We need to stop buying into this current model of economics , stop worrying about the flow of green outward to the uberlords accounts and worry about keeping that green circulating in a tighter circle - our own homes and local community .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19592151 a slightly different article, from the same paper. It is noticeable and intentional, the direction of world interrelated economy. Deliberate is this direction of hyper inflation, and economic destruction, back to nature is a fun refuge for me & others. Despite the false public promises of soon to be delivered prosperity from the owners of the printing presses...~Is it any wonder that Grace has become 100 times, nay 200 times, nay 1000 times more effective refuge than death.~

james beam