Over the past years and months especially, the U.S. unemployment rate has been a dramatic indicator of the recession's impact on jobs, commercial investment, and the average American's wallet. In 2006, unemployment was at a reasonable 4.5 percent, yet after the recession unemployment jumped beyond 10 percent in late 2009. As the financial industry has put in place safeguards and the stock market recovered, unemployment is slow to recover. Now in 2013, the unemployment rate is still at 7.3 percent, despite 42 months of consecutive private-sector employment gains.

Even while millions of Americans left the workforce during the hard times, employment and supply of quality jobs remains a struggle for the average consumer. Although unemployment is reported as decreasing and that the public sector is adding jobs, the economy is still down nearly 1.5 million jobs since 2009. Plus, unemployment is now consistently higher than it was in 2007 throughout every gender, ethnic, education, occupation, and age group.

Looking at short-term trends, unemployment over the last few months is a direct reflection of the Country's commercial and governmental issues. August brought news the economy added 169,000 jobs and unemployment dropped to 7.3, the lowest level since the end of 2008. However in September the Federal Reserve announced it would not end its economic stimulus program, still concerned about the ratio of jobs, inflation, and investment. Then September's jobs report was delayed due to the government shut-down but the anticipation was that unemployment was unchanged even while the country added jobs. Claims for U.S. jobless benefits have now jumped to the highest level in six months.

"Many Americans have been unemployed more than once in recent years and had to reevaluate their finical priorities. Overall our country is paying off debt faster than ever, tightening spending behavior, and saving more …often because employment is less certain that it was previously. Loosing a job is one of the major contributors to filing bankruptcy, but with a solid plan in place anyone can be prepared for the 'new normal' economy that is still forming." said Ben Kittle, Senior Financial Consultant at Strategic Consulting Services.

About Strategic Consulting ServicesStrategic Consulting Services is a financial services firm with teams specialized in Debt Management, Mortgages and Business Services. With a comprehensive client-focused approach, the Company provides assessments looking beyond immediate financial issues to help clients build greater financial strength with smart habits and choices. Since 2007, Strategic Consulting Services has helped individuals and small businesses create savings plans, reduce debt, and make wiser spending choices. For more information visit www.strategiccs.org.