[BlueDude13]

Being right outside DC gives me an interesting view on what's going on. Both my brother and I have moved back into our parent's house over the past 2 years. My company is finally starting to get hit with the economy being down and my brother was hard strapped for a job for 2 months but it seems in some areas things are turning around.

I know contractors around here with big presence (Lockheed and Northrup Grumman) have both put holds on their hirings and in these parts that's the biggest indicator of things not being back to normal. Chain stores and restaurants still seem to be doing all right and hiring. I was up/out in Ocean City, Maryland this weekend with my girlfriend and out there you can tell it's bad. I used to live up near there and my friends were all talking about how they have to struggle to keep/find jobs, but the market up there has been bad for years. It's why I had to move back in with the folks.

It seems like the extreme downturn has ended, but it's not going up nearly as quickly. It's going to be a hard decade on most people.

[TheAvatar]

Originally Posted by Roadracer

Getting worse in PA. Another large company is closing their doors after 40+ years of business.
RR

which company is closing RR?

[Roadracer]

Originally Posted by TheAvatar

which company is closing RR?

Heavy Duty Parts & Five Star International in Reading.

[Craig]

I'm sure different parts of the country are affected differently, but as a whole I think the economy will get worse before it gets better. The Phoenix area for example was one of the hardest hit by the residential real estate bust. And even though that sector has taken huge hits, it continues to decline, albeit at a slower rate. The other major industry for the area, tourism during the mild winter, is not likely to improve soon.

Then there are other sectors that are just beginning to crumble. The commercial real estate markets and the credit card companies are just two examples. As those sectors implode, they too will have ripple effects on the economy.

While technically we may be near the end of the actual recession, I don't think we're anywhere near climbing out of it. And I sure as heck don't think we can spend (read: borrow) our way out of it, as is the current course of action.

[Dick]

Things won’t pick up for BC until you guys start building houses again. The US market traditionally made up 80% of our forest product exports (dimensional lumber).
The mountain pine beetle is compounding the problem, with millable timber getting harder and more expensive to harvest and process.
As a result, the provincial government revenues are way down, and things are extremely tight in the public sector. Lots of positions on the chopping block.
Plus we have the 2010 Winter Olympics to pay for…so get your tickets now!

[Kibby]

Is the government and big media somehow manipulating the stats, putting a spin on things? -Ron

Of course they are. This is the only tinfoil I wear - the fear of modern media. Hell, media throughout the ages has been responsible for perpetuating war, stirring revolt, or distributing propaganda. Media today is the panacea of the masses. "Hey, I read it on the internet, so it must be true... right?" I believe that the media is manipulated any way the powers that be decide to spin it. Oh I could go on forever about it!

Economy getting better? I use Craigslist as an indicator.Its hard to explain, but I've been surfing the NH Craigslist daily for a couple years. I've been watching the trends, checking out what people are looking for during certain times/seasons. I've seen the most amount of "toys" being sold more now than ever, and for pretty decent prices to boot. Toys and all of the extras are what has to go first when times are tight.

Personally, we (the wife and I) haven't felt the recession/economy other than the little things like gas prices and ammo availability (although that is Obama as POTUS, and not so much the economy). My job is rock-solid. If I can keep my head on straight, and not screw things up by losing attendance, or whatever, I am pretty sure my job is depression-proof. The wife is in the medical professions, and even then she may lose her job before mine, but only if teotwawki is near.

So its been okay here. Knock on wood. Houses for sale by the dozens, and people out of work. Will we common folk ever really know what is happening? All we can do is keep our bills paid, and stay out of debt. We must learn to sniff the wind and try to tell what is coming our way.

[Old Bevo]

I work at a "large" computer company in Round Rock Texas (guess who) and we just got word that the jobs that are currently here will be moving overseas soon. As the temperature hits 105 everyday now, the economy, job market and lake water levels gets worse. I agree with alot of y'all, things are gonna get worse before they get better.

[lpm67]

Originally Posted by Aussie_Tim

Keep in mind, lots of places in Aus are using the economic downturn as en excuse to get rid of "dead wood" (not sayin that about people from NZ its everyone) or cutting hours from employees to better their revenue. There are plenty of places that are doing well in Aus, in particular Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and let me assure you, they are not hiring more people. More paying customers with same amount of costly staff = better profit.

Local job ads are only about 1 page in the local paper now, 3-4 years ago it was 5-6 pages of jobs. Things are not getting better here, despite what the labor government says.

I agree and a country should look to looking after their own first then anyone else if able.

Last nights newspaper stated that locally our unemployed has doubled in just the last 3 months but cutbacks to our local unemployment office (WINZ) means that some of these unemployed are from their office!!!! Maybe if they ever get their jobs back they'll treat folk better (with more understanding and empathy).

I'm thinking that I've found a few more ways to tighten ours belts just in case we end up back in the poo.

Anyone want to start a thread to share cost cutting ideas???? Has this been done? I couldnt find a suitable thread.

[garret]

even if we have hit the bottom of the decline it will still take 2-3 years to reverse the process so hold on to your hats people, its going to be a wild and bumpy ride

[Aussie_Tim]

Originally Posted by garret

even if we have hit the bottom of the decline it will still take 2-3 years to reverse the process so hold on to your hats people, its going to be a wild and bumpy ride

I dont agree that the economy is going to be a "wild and bumpy" ride. But definitely a long, slow, rough road ahead. Throw in some light rain and no suspension and I think that nails it for most working class people. I think its going to get worse here before it gets better, which it eventually will but only time will tell how long we're going to have to wait.