Reply #26: Report from upstate NY: [View All]

Last Sat., Home Depot was busy, there was a big line of people buying lumber and other building materials. However, it is usually busier this time of year. There was even an employee that asked us if we needed help, after our heart attack, we assured him no, we were ok (perhaps because we already took 30 minutes to find our gutter anchors).

During the week-- the mall is officially dead. After the early am mall walkers leave, you can hear crickets.

Kmart has been in position for the recession as they always have just one cashier on day, night, weekend, weekday. Only now you don't wait in line as long.

Don't go to walmart.

Aldi's is quite busy, their hours seem longer--they were open at 7 pm last night. They used to close at six and Sundays. Their prices are higher than they used to be but still much less than Wegmans.

Wegmans is not as busy. I am spending about a third as much as I used to there, mostly meat and Ezekial bread. Food prices seem very high, a dozen jumbo eggs were $1.99. I won't quote the milk prices because ours are lower than the norm d/t the dairy compact. Milk is about $2.69 a gallon here. I find myself buying bargain cuts of chicken and ground beef and more beans lately.

Gas $3.69 gallon, it was higher last week $3.79.

We are considering not opening up the pool this year.