We have seen a decrease. Easter weekend was cold, so DD had to wear tights instead of lacy anklets. When I went to the mall to get her tights, there were a few people buying things like tights, socks, etc. There were a lot of "mall walkers", but very few people were carrying bags. DS's birthday was also Easter weekend. I went to Costco to pick up some things for it and Costco was completely dead. I was really surprised, because Costco is always busy.

Maybe it was the day I went, but like I said, this mall was crazy. I avoid malls for this reason, and I hated that I had to go. My friend went the day before and same story, she said she had to leave because she couldn't find a parking spot and she had to buy something for a wedding shower. I got the feeling everyone is in denial somehow. The people in these stores had bags full! Who knows, maybe they already got their check...I got out of there as fast as I could.

I work in the construction industry (commercial and residential) and I can tell a HUGE difference. We are usually booming this time of year. We are very very slow now. It is very scary.

Construction and real estate are definitely areas where you can see a total decline in my area. We were #1 in the nation for growth just a couple of years ago, but unfortunately prices were so inflated and there was so much over building, that now there are very few jobs related to construction or real estate. There are many, many homes in foreclosure. Although, you do still see homes that were mid-construction getting finished and just sitting now...half the time between two homes already in foreclosure.

I have come across several people though, that bought Mini-mansions when they really couldn't afford them and are now going into or are in foreclosure, are very worried about gas prices, interest rates on credit cards, and are STILL talking about the great food they ate at so & so restaurant or the fun time they had at the mall and what they bought or asking if we're taking the kids to Disney or the Bahamas over spring break, because they are. I don't get it...denial over their entire situation or what?

So, although I see effects in some aspects, it just doesn't seem to be showing itself in people's actions around here.

terrisirig-It is weird you are talking about the Burlington Mall. I went three times in the last 2 months and each time it was like Christmas Time. A few of my friends are from a town north of Boston and have now moved away. We met there a month ago for some shopping and dinner but all agreed it was not worth the wait. According to the Burlington Mall parking lot and stores there is no recession. I hope that is true. I know personally I am trying not to spend.

We definately haven't changed our habits! The only thing we are doing is not spending on credit cards... if we want it we pay cash - we are trying to pay off the cards, so I guess we have changed a bit... But we bought it all the past few years - there is nothing else to want to buy!!!

__________________
"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." ~ Phyllis Diller

It wasen't Closing Time was it??


We were Strolling around costco a few Weeks ago , Taking our Time ... I Noticed the crowd was thinner but didn't think anything .
Then I Looked and saw all the people up at the Registers and the Lights were going off
I Had NO idea They Closed At 6 PM on a Saturday!!

My husband was a loan officer up until last week. We definitely feel it. Two of the companies that he worked for were bought out. The bank that he was working for laid him off. He is now back to work in accounting. Yeah!! I am a stay at home mom but I am working part-time right now. I have to go back to work full-time starting in the fall so we can pay off our credit card bills. Several of my husband's friends lost their jobs because they were in construction. I don't shop anymore- just the grocery store, dollar store and Target (on occasion) but the stores look busy to me so atleast that hasn't changed.

I have noticed in our big mall the tourists are spending like crazy (this particular mall is basically a tourist attraction) - then my mom mentioned that the dollar was weak, so it made sense. I see alot of non-tourists milling about, but not necessarily spending wildly. Some people just hang out in the mall, or window shop.

We have definitely cut spending. I didn't even do a grocery shop this weekend, planning to use up some stockpile and just pick up some milk and things like that. I need a haircut desperately, but figure I can hold out until my sister's wedding in June.

I had forgotten that some malls are foreign tourist attractions. We were recently in Houston for my son's wedding and stopped into their large mall complex. Being country bumpkins, I was a bit startled by the number of people and the many languages that I heard.

Yes, the dollar makes shopping very attractive for others. I guess that is one way economies rebalance themselves. Some industries will do very well as the money flows across borders.


I may be a country bumpkin, but I'm not an idiot.
Cathleen