WITHOUT THAT MORTGAGE PAYMENT THEY JUST HAVE MORE CASH IN POCKET:

U.S. Economy Grows at Faster Than Expected Rate (Howard Schneider, October 31, 2007, Washington Post)

U.S. economic growth accelerated between July and September as increases in exports and consumer spending overcame the continuing downturn in real estate and turmoil in the mortgage industry.

The economy grew at a 3.9 percent annual rate during those three months, the fastest pace since early 2006 and a surprise to analysts who had predicted that a sluggish housing market would take a larger toll on growth.