JUST LIKE THE GREAT DEPRESSION...:

Americans Pare Debt (JEFF BATER And MARK WHITEHOUSE, 3/11/10, WSJ)

Americans got richer for a third straight quarter at the end of 2009, a favorable trend for an economic recovery that could use some more fuel.

A quarterly Federal Reserve report Thursday said U.S. households' total net worth climbed 1.3% in the fourth quarter, to $54.18 trillion from the third quarter's $53.49 trillion. For 2009 as a whole, net worth rose 5.4%. Household net worth is assets, such as home equity, minus liabilities, such as mortgage debt.