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Ten spots where folks have enough money for everyday expenses, and 10 where daily budgets eat up a sizable chunk of incomes.

Dwelling too much on the doldrums violates the holiday spirit. Yes, the economy is in bad shape, very likely entering or already in a painful recession. But it's not all bad. No, really.

At the pump, oil price deflation is also known as cheaper gas. For those who have been priced out of the housing market for a decade, the imploding market offers hope they'll someday be able to buy.

Still, after decades of a debt-fueled binge, the American consumer is fearful and grumpy. The Conference Board estimates that the average household is going to spend about 10% less for Christmas gifts this year, down to $418 from $471 in 2007. That means consumption, the biggest part of the country's gross domestic product, is likely to fall precipitously in the fourth quarter. But then what?

"You have to ask the question: How long will this total lack of confidence last?" says Joel Naroff, the chief economist for TD Bank. "Can consumers remain irrationally despondent for an extended period of time?"

Naroff, picked in October by Bloomberg News as the year's top economic forecaster, has been looking at consumer confidence since it started to slip in the summer, and he thinks it's too pessimistic and will snap back. It's the same intuition that had Naroff worried about how badly misaligned the housing markets were when he called the downturn before many others.

History suggests Americans just don't stay depressed for long, he says. Even with economists talking of unemployment rising to 8% or 9% from the current level of 6.5%, most people and businesses will muddle through. "You go out eight months from now. You're in May, June, July. People discover they still have their jobs. Businesses have realized that while conditions aren't great, they're not going to fold," says Naroff, "They ask, 'Why am I behaving as if everything is going to collapse tomorrow?' And they come to the conclusion it's not, and that's when they start spending."

These ten places are each special in their own way. The only downside may be that it's hard to keep a secret, so most of them have seen considerable increases in home prices over the last couple of years.

• Charlottesville, VA

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, most areas of this idyllic city are accessible by foot or bicycle. Charlottesville enjoys clean air and water, and pleasant weather year-round, highlighted by especially beautiful fall foliage. Nearby Shenandoah National Park offers a wealth of recreation opportunities. Charlottesville is home to the University of Virginia, which strengthens the area's healthy economy by providing steady jobs and a wealth of amenities and entertainment. Homes are not cheap (median home price $225,000), but the cost of living is manageable. The city's low unemployment rate and significant recent job growth promise continued prosperity. As more and more people learn about this year's best city, Charlottesville may find staying affordable and sprawl-free is its greatest challenge!

• Santa Fe, NM

Home to over 250 art galleries and the new Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Santa Fe has long been a haven for artists. Perched high in the desert mountains, Santa Fe's air is crisp and clean. Daytime temperatures are mild, though the nights are often cold. The city is surrounded by over 1.5 million acres of national forest, offering excellent hiking, camping, and downhill skiing. Recently, Santa Fe has seen its population skyrocket as the city has become a relocation hotspot for affluent Americans. Despite its recent growth, Santa Fe remains relatively affordable, with a median home price of $365,000.

• San Luis Obispo- Atascadero- Paso Robles, CA

This quiet group of towns on the central California coast could easily qualify as paradise. The climate is among the country's most pleasant, with 285 mostly sunny days per year and temperatures rarely above 90 degrees, or below freezing. The presence of academic heavyweight Cal Poly helps anchor the local economy- the unemployment rate is well below the national average. It's fortunate that local jobs are plentiful, since it's too far to commute to Los Angeles or the Bay Area. Considering further its low crime and unemployment rates, the San Luis Obispo area seems to have it all. But home prices here have risen steadily in the last few years, so that the median is now $536,300. While this isn't unreasonable by California standards, it can be out of reach for many of us thinking of moving from other parts of the country.

• Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, CA

A few miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara has long been a #1 relocation choice for those who can afford it. This area is famous for lavish estates that carry a price tag in the millions of dollars. Indeed, the median home price for the county is $590,000, and your average house in the city itself is over $1.2 million. No matter how appealing, the Santa Barbara area's cost of living and home prices will prove prohibitive for many Americans. In addition, recent job growth has dipped lately, so it might not be the best place to look for a new job. Nevertheless, for those that are retired or financially secure, the Santa Barbara area remains one of unmatched beauty and comfort.

• Honolulu, HI

Everyone knows that Honolulu is a great place to vacation, but what about putting down roots in Hawaii's capital city? After a slow start, home appreciation is taking off like a rocket as well-to-do mainlanders are looking for a place to invest, and enjoy. The laid-back and easy-going attitude of the islands is infectious and helps explain the low violent crime rate. Restaurants, eager to please the international tourist clientele, are excellent and numerous. For the same reason, entertainment options are various and exciting. Even Honolulu's economy is remarkable\x97the unemployment rate is low and recent job growth is well above the national average. There are some downsides to consider. Nearly all consumer items must be shipped from the mainland, and this translates to a high cost of living. Other drawbacks are the high median home price ($550,100) and the possible claustrophobia of living on a small island. But if you don't mind the cost and isolation of living far off the mainland, then Honolulu is a safe and beautiful place to live.

• Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan is the foundation of the city's economy, providing stable employment to many residents and keeping the unemployment rate well below the national average. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the residents of Ann Arbor are well educated-- more than 20% have college degrees. Not only are there enough jobs to go around, but they also pay well -- Ann Arbor's per capita income is nearly 25% greater than the national average. The city's value makes it even more attractive-- its median home price is $220,000. Just be prepared for long winters -- the temperature dips below freezing 139 days a year. In addition, political conservatives might want to think twice about Ann Arbor, however, as its residents and city government are vigorously liberal.

• Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is the largest city in our Top 10 Best Places to Live, having recently experienced a huge population boom. The crossroads of the South has become especially popular with young people looking for a sunny and exciting urban center that is easy on the checkbook, with its reasonable cost of living. Indeed, the city's affordable homes (median home price $164,100) and robust economy (high per-capita income) make Atlanta an excellent choice for young people concerned with value. The South has a reputation for oppressive heat and humidity, but statistically Atlanta has a warm and pleasant climate. Throw in four pro sports teams, great restaurants, and a diverse arts scene and Atlanta emerges a sizzling city on the move.

• Asheville, NC

Asheville is situated at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains, the highest part of the Appalachian Range. A low cost of living and affordable housing (median home price $202,100) offset the area's low measure of diversity and unremarkable economy. This mountain getaway was settled in the 1850's as a slow-paced health retreat, and it continues to be appealing to both families and retirees. Since the median age of Asheville residents is above the national average, retirees moving here will find themselves happily surrounded by their peers.

• Reno, NV

Reno is another one of the Top 10 cities that has recently experienced significant population growth. New residents are attracted by the area's lack of crowding and absence of income tax. Reno boasts ample options for outdoor recreation, including skiing the Sierra Nevada's and exploring Lake Tahoe and its surrounding national forest. The days are sunny and the air is especially clean, but nights are cold and sub-freezing temperatures occur 189 days a year. The crime rate is a bit higher than the national average, but the Reno area is affordable (median home price $292,300), which makes it a smart choice for young people looking to move into a California-like climate on a budget.

• Corvallis, OR

Corvallis is home to Oregon State University and hence many young singles. Technology stalwart Hewlett-Packard has a major presence here, which helps explain the city's low unemployment rate and impressive recent job growth. The presence of OSU and HP has created something of an intellectual center-- over 20% of its residents have earned a graduate or professional degree. The fertile Willamette Valley was the destination of 19th-century settlers from the Midwest, and since then has retained a peaceful agrarian feel. Summers are sublime and the winters are mild, if a bit wet. For recreation, the rugged Oregon coast is a 90 minutes to the west, the nearby Cascade range offers great skiing, and Portland is about 100 miles to the North. Considering it's affordability ($194,800 median home price), Corvallis presents an attractive mix of youth, intellectualism, and natural beauty. For a complete profiles of all 331 metropolitan areas, get a copy of "Cities Ranked and Rated." online or at your local bookstore or library. The book also includes maps, climate charts, comparison tables, plus additional profiles of the 45 new fast-growing mini-metro areas and 27 Canadian metro areas.

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Who hasn't looked at his or her paycheck and imagined how much better life would be with a lot more numbers after that dollar sign?

Inevitably, a wise soul -- usually a parent -- tells you that no amount of money will solve your problems.

Of course, you respond, "Let me find out for myself."

If your annual income hovers around the national median of $40,690, you're in the company of millions of Americans. As gas prices, housing costs and other everyday expenses continue to creep up, earning more money isn't just some daydream you harbor in vain. It's a reasonable solution to financial woes and a good way to plan for your future.

To assist your search for financial bliss, we've put together the following list of jobs that earn twice as much as the national median income.

With salaries that fall anywhere between $80,000 and $89,999, here are some possible career opportunities for you as well as their expected growth rate.

1. Associate actuary

What they do: Most often employed by insurance agencies, actuaries use data to calculate the likelihood and expense of an event, such as death or illness, and help formulate an insurance policy based on their findings.
Annual mean income: $81,924*
Projected employment in 2016: 22,000**
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 24 percent

2. Attorney

What they do: Attorneys can choose to concentrate on a variety of specializations, which include tax law, criminal law, civil law, bankruptcy, environmental law and more.
Annual mean income: $88,235
Projected employment in 2016: 844,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 11 percent

3. Compensation and benefits manager

What they do: Compensation and benefits managers are human resources specialists who oversee compensation, insurance programs, performance reviews and hiring for their employers.
Annual mean income: $80,011
Projected employment in 2016: 55,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 12 percent

4. Economist

What they do: Economists study, analyze and project how individual people, firms, industries and governments spend money and use resources.
Annual mean income: $80,817
Projected employment in 2016: 16,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 7 percent

5. Floor broker

What they do: Floor brokers bargain with other brokers over the price of stocks. A sales agent then sells the securities or commodities to an investor for the negotiated price.
Annual mean income: $83,608
Projected employment in 2016: 399,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 25 percent

6. Marketing manager

What they do: Marketing managers calculate a need for their company's services in order to stay competitive with other businesses and satisfy customer demand.
Annual mean income: $86,283
Projected employment in 2016: 192,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 14 percent

7. Petroleum engineer

What they do: Petroleum engineers work with scientists and other specialists to drill for oil and natural gas using the most efficient methods possible. Their research helps them develop new procedures for drilling and find new locations of oil and gas reservoirs.
Annual mean income: $86,899
Projected employment in 2016: 18,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 5 percent

8. Pharmacist

What they do: Based on a doctor's prescription or a patient's needs, pharmacists dispense medication. Physicians and patients rely on pharmacists to answer questions about the necessary dosages and side effects of a medication.
Annual mean income: $88,786
Projected employment in 2016: 296,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 22 percent

9. Risk management supervisor

What they do: Organizations employ risk management supervisors to create and monitor insurance programs that address potential financial loss, property damage and legal issues that could arise.
Annual mean income: $85,655
Projected employment in 2016: 570,000***
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 13 percent

10. Veterinarian

What they do: Veterinarians provide health care for family pets, livestock and zoo animals. They provide check-ups, treat diseases and advise caretakers on how to best raise their animals.
Annual mean income: $80,069
Projected employment in 2016: 84,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 35 percent