The Recession in Your Life? (vanity)

[MNDude]

I was curious to hear how the economy has been effecting everyone's lives and communities? Has your job been effected, or do you see empty strip-malls on your block?

How are you handling the new troubles that come with such an economy?

[RatRipper]

Banker. We are weathering the storm quite well so far, but unemployment is catching up to consumers and small businesses are starting to run out of gas. They can take downturns of reasonable length, but this one has drug on a long time and it is beginning to erode their staying power. This winter will be tough on small businesses.

[derekr44]

Business Systems Analyst for a Financial Call Center. Business is booming for us. We’ve been taking on numerous portfolios for collections and default management.

For once, I am in a job where I don’t have to worry about being laid off. It’s a very welcome change after 5 layoffs in 7 years.

[jessduntno]

Look at the way Ded Kennedy (D-HELL) is looking at Romney...

You can hear him thinking "STFU and sign you moron..."

"We are weathering the storm quite well so far, but unemployment is catching up to consumers and small businesses are starting to run out of gas. They can take downturns of reasonable length, but this one has drug on a long time and it is beginning to erode their staying power. This winter will be tough on small businesses." No credit...no stock...no operating capital...if the orders DO pick up, we'll need a miracle to get the product...and I know this is happening everywhere...credit lines cut and interest rates up...like a million small businesses, we might not make it at all...already laid off all we can without losing business to poor fulfillment...

[autumnraine]

14 plants in our area moved to Brazil over the past four years. Hubby lost job of 27 years and is fighting with the other thousands out of work for what scrap jobs there are. Since this was primarily a mill area, all the businesses are feeling it. Have strip malls with one lone store, although we are a small town too. Oh yeah, and the temporary work agency is closed now too. They didn’t have enough work to keep them in business past the end of the month.

Local community college had to turn away students for the first time ever as there was TRIPLE the expected amount of students registering for classes this past fall. Needless to say, in our area (our region is at nearly 15% unemployment without taking U6 into account and given the plant closings, I’d estimate the U6 is double that number), restaurants are barely surviving. McDonalds in the three county area has a hiring freeze. Yes, MCDONALDS IS NOT HIRING. Walmart is laying off even part time help and the grocery store said (when I asked for an application) that they are turning away 20 people a day.

Three insurance agencies shut down due to businesses leaving or shutting down meaning commissions are out.

It’s pretty grim here. Luckily it’s rural and we rely on each others for stuff. We have a market at the courthouse every weekend and they have started not only selling produce, eggs, and such, but trading and bartering. I traded a nice quilt for some canned peaches and eggs and other food last weekend. Since most rely on propane for heat, and it’s still expensive, quilts are a commodity.

By the way, I’m working on my “breakfast blanket”. I hope to master it soon and take it to the market. It’s like a shawl/blanket for kids to eat breakfast without having to crank up the heat in the morning.

[mdittmar]

Hasn't affected mine,get up,go to work,do my job.

Don't need anything from the government.

[momteacherandvp]

We are agonizing over whether or not we will have to lay off our 2 employees. We have cut everywhere possible, but we don’t want to let them go just before Christmas, or any other time for that matter.

[NavyCanDo]

I can tell you one thing. In May I got the largest pay increase in 10 years because of an upgrade. But without adding any news bills since then , I am struggling this year just to keep up with the cost of living including higher property taxes. last year before the pay increase I was doing much better.

[MamaDearest]

Retired Person: Local malls have been sparse, grocery store coupon papers formerly ignored in store lobbies are now hard to find, the post office hasn’t had many people mailing gifts, multiple stores have closed their doors, there are few help wanted signs (a couple for seasonal help), and there is far less traffic on the road (people just staying home).

[SnakeDoctor]

Tax attorney in Texas. Business is pretty good, but its a bit of a recession-proof job. People tend to dispute tax debts more when the economy is down.

SnakeDoc

[ladyvet]

My husband is a gold miner so work is not a problem. BUT his pay is not keeping up with the cost increases from utilities to oatmeal. So we are thankful for work but are still struggling. We have never lived beyond our means and continue to cut back.
I notice the library much busier these days. Seems people are checking out more books, DVDs, and such. Also the bulletin boards at the grocery stores are loaded with trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs, big screens, and various other "toys" for sale.

[bert]

Semi retired: my company downsized to just me in 1994

I spent the month of November touring Texas. It seemed to be booming. I saw no signs of recession. Traffic in the cities was always heavy. The Riverwalk in San Antonio was clogged with people. There were tons of new looking four door pickups

Locally, my house has appreciated every year, no downturn. Construction may be off. Several projects are on hold. My personal work is diminished in some parts but has growth in others. Sales are the same as last year.

[CommieCutter]

Where do you live? Stating the obvious: That’s no recession, that’s a full blown depression.

[glorgau]

It’s “affecting”, not “effecting”

Sincerely yours

The Grammar Nazi

[fight_truth_decay]

I have regained financially as of a few months ago.
Strip malls have been busy ongoing. The movie industry was up this year over last. Upscale retail is also up...JCrew etc... Reporting this week. Wal*Mart has been steady at stock price. Sales for those that can afford to buy--real bargains off retail.
I see mostly builders/craftsman having to travel longer distances for major work. Some smaller ones have combined their business relationships when one gets a job, takes along the other. The confidence in spending money for “homes” here is lacking. This in vacation homes as live in a Vacationland. Saw a major developer of vacation cottages/homes/inn/ restaurant etc(where I often questioned where the money came from) going under. Prices of homes have not really gone down. Still high.

I see Old Port boutique type shops closed. I was told by one new owner that those retail shops were shaky to begin with. Soho moving to Portland Maine-same atmosphere, already had an Internet established business. New owners are opening around the outskirts because rents were so high and remained unreasonable. They help each other by telling a customer about another store in the general area that might not have been in the “path” expected by cruise ship travelers.

Sure the markets are up. When you cut jobs you cut expenses and the Street is expectant of the positive figures.

No one is going to hire unless there is a map to progress laid out, the “unexpected” taxation by Democrats has the future pictured “as the unknown”.. ...no one invests in the “unknown”.

[momincombatboots]

My hubby’s job moved to IL. I must stay here in NC to take care of a sick parent. The separation is hard, but it is like a military deployment without the enemy fire, so we are ok. Fortunately, we have always lived well below our means.

[devistate one four]

In resort area of northern Wisconsin.

Things are going well.

[devistate one four]

In resort area of northern Wisconsin.

Things are going well.

[snippy_about_it]

Tech. 2 pay cuts this year for all employees. I see lots of locals selling cars, having more yard sales etc. Strip malls half empty. Traffic low on black Friday. We’re not spending anything extra.

[Fu-fu2]

Three close family members that I know of in tough financial condition...found out over the Thanksgiving holiday. The strip mall near my house is now empty except for a grocery store and bar. Last year I thought the financial crisis wasn’t as bad as the crisis of the Carter years. Now with the closed stores and family members in trouble, all we need are gas lines and it will be just like the old days...