reply to this classmate on this discussion thread with 100 words

The four stages to a business cycle are:

expansion- a phase of the business cycle characterized by increasing real GDP, income and employment

peak- a point in the business cycle where real GDP reaches a maximum. The peak marks the end of an expansion

contraction- a phase in the business cycle in which the economy as a whole is in decline, occurs typically after a peak and before a trough

trough- the lowest point of the economic activity in the business cycle, where real GDP reaches a minimum

I cant say I have much experience through the life cycle as the last recession occurred just as I began working. I did however see a lot of the aftermath. The recession let to many people loosing homes and their jobs. Often time I would come across individuals so desperate for income they would have to move out of state just to find work.

Again as I mentioned, I began work at the beginning of the recession so I don't thing I felt much of the recession compared to others. I often found myself working more than 1 part time job at a time simply because full time employment was hard to find.

The learning curve based on the experience was definitely to prepare. Prepare for loss of work and income.