I am ABD in economics, and I use the following rule of thumb: If you think you understand macroeconomics, you are hopelessly lost. If you are thoroughly confused, you are beginning to understand.

By the way, since people seem to be interested, I think the best macro book is Snowdon and Vane's Modern Macroeconomics.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1845422082/elidourado...