Economists have been saying our recovery is going to be a long slog and KBND money analyst Bill Valentine echoes that sentiment: “We're basically digging out of 25 years of excessive consumption, interest rates coming down and balance sheets loaded with debt.   And we're paying the price for that.” Valentine believes it will be four to five years before we feel things are returning to normal. But he does see encouraging signs the economy is improving, just slowly. Bill Valentine was the guest on "Your Town" during the KBND Morning News this morning. He will be regular monthly guest on Your Town beginning in January.