How do the working poor know if the economy is booming or in recession?

I mean, I work, all my cash goes to bills, and I can't save a dime. This was true when Bigdog was in charge in 96, and it is true now.

So how would I know that the economy is in a boom or in a recession? I doubt we ever will see the 1930's - bankers selling apples - hobos riding rails - folks sleeping in the station wagons - again.

It seems that the rich might eat out one night a week less, or go on less vacations. The poor don't seem attached to the economy any longer?

So how should I know what is going on with the economy?

thanks for the confirmation.

Not me!!

and that's who runs things.

Reducing the number of meals with meat; getting into casseroles with lotsa starches; turning down the heat; turning off more lights; shopping at thrift stores; kissing cable and internet goodbye...

Might as well stick with $2.89 a gallon, at least it's drinkable.

:grr:

Those are intelligent ways, in the short run.

We know we are struggling more than ever. We just don't call it a "recession" or a "booming" economy. We just know it sucks.

Food costs go up pay doesn't. That kind of thing.

around you seem empty? Of course that last one might be a function of time of year -- shopping may not be that great the month after christmas.

n/t

the economy is in recession the rich get tax cuts. see?

Lose your jobs, or get your hours cut, or lose benefits, or have to pay higher co-pays. And, when you think you might have to get a second job to make ends meet, at least under the big dog you could get that extra job. In fact, back then in my city, they were paying signing bonuses to get people to take fast food jobs. Now you might think you better get an extra job, but you can't because all the crappy jobs are taken by all the people who lost their regular jobs. Then you decide to have a garage sale since you can't get a second job and you try to sell all your good stuff that you really don't want to get rid of, but you need the cash for utility bills and you can't sell anything at your garage sale because no one can afford to buy anything no matter how cheap. And I mean to tell you we are in a recession and have been since 2001.

:hug:

Well said! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

rather than just improbable.

and buy a lotta shyte at Wal-Mart......

It's all OK!

The presinut is gonna give us some peanuts to buy
more peanuts...

Where's my $800 check?

I need some more Herion? or.......

It makes me feel "good"

ETA: I'm lookin' for my salvation on "Craigslist"

:hug:

and that's the only difference. Except now I worry about a mandate to pay for an insurance premium and having to struggle through a year until I get an income tax rebate to offset it.

:hug:

what's left after rent and utilities goes for food. When you watch the prices rise week after week, while at the same time hours are being cut... it's a recession.

Food.

It has come to that, hasn't it?

Blackwater billed the government $900 per day per man to patrol New Orleans.

But people still tell me that we don't have two Americas?

I had picked up a huge roast, about 8 lbs, enough for at least 4 meals for the 4 of us... well I got that beautiful thing home, and I'm cutting it into 2 big pieces to stick in the freezer, and well, I think I went a little crazy. I picked up the smaller piece and sliced it into 4 great big honking steaks. It has been 2 years since I could afford to splurge on steak, and I'm afraid the craving drove me to it. Marinated em with vinegar and liqued smoke and broiled those suckers up. We were all in heaven. The joy on my family's faces totally makes up for having to figure out how to stretch a few more meals to make up for it.

The little joys in life. :)

You do the math!

People are earning $8.00 an hour. Figure it out!!

How are the working poor (perhaps 50% of the people or more now) supposed to know whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in office?

:P

but whenever the subject of wealth comes up, I can't help myself from providing the link to this on-line library. Books are available for free download due to their copyright expiration. One of my favorites is Ferdinand Lundberg's "The Rich and the Super Rich 1968. It's like reading a map.

available for free download at this site:
http://www.soilandhealth.org/03sov/0303critic/0303socialcriticism.html

:toast:

like striking gold. Happy to pass it on. :toast:

I know what you mean. I am on social security disability. But, anytime oil,gas are effected the rest of the economy goes too. (usually in a Republican presidency)

... the poor will be the first to know and they will feel it the most.

and try to get by on even less, they avoid driving unless necessary

that is what we do.

:grr:

NEVER VOTE for a Republican OR a Republican LITE!!! :grr:

EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

:kick:

I wonder if a recession could actually lower gas prices. China is worried that the USA won't buy as much junk as we are used to buying. If they curb their gas use, prices would fall world wide.

The less crap we buy from China, the lower the price of gas will be.

the 'moderately skilled' jobs definitely paid more and offered an opportunity to get out of the bottom level jobs. now when i look in help wanted ads, i see that very very few of the jobs advertised really pay a living wage, have benefits, future, etc.

I am a manager and I have to interview and hire the staff that works for me. I currently have 7 openings in 3 states. The recruiters for my employers have been sending me candidates ... but they are all over qualified for the $12.00 an hour job that I have to hire for. They are former VP's of large companies, College Professors, people with PHD's (and many other degrees too), Social Workers, former Real Estate company owners, and Nurses, just to name a few examples. They are either looking to pick up a little cash on the side or looking to fill the gaps while they look for a real position elsewhere. These jobs that I am looking to hire for used to be considered "mommy jobs" because the schedule is very flexible and they can set their own hours in which they work as long as all jobs are completed on time.

These are not the jobs that such highly skilled workers would have pursued years ago. But, they are applying for them now in large numbers. They want them as second jobs to create that buffer should their regular gig be gone with the economic wind. It pays a little better than flipping burgers but it would be tough to raise a family on what they can make doing this and nothing else unless they are a two income family (or a two job single person).

That tells me without a doubt, the economy is tanking, and it won't be long before the well runs dry. I have seen it more in the last 6 months than ever before but the trend has been rising for several years.

Hang on to what you have, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

That's exactly what's been happening!!

I am a trained computer tech/support specialist and all
the 'engineers' are pushing us out and taking the jobs and :grr:

:cry:

F * !!!

:silly:

R U brain dead?

You seem to equate poverty with lack of knowledge!

If so? You are an idiot.

dude. that is happening now and has been for quite some time!

Spent a year living in a borrowed Airstream under Clinton, AND IN BOTH INSTANCES, I WAS WORKING FULL TIME. In fact, during the airstream period I had TWO jobs. I am wary of getting too settled down in my current digs, the rent is high here, Mr. Feb is trying to get back in the sluggish job market after some brushes with illness, but I am not optimistic. It seems everyday, I hear about another bar or restaurant in this town going under...I feel like I'm on an island slowly sinking into the sea...

I'm trying to sell everything I can, to be ready to move into a smaller apartment, a hotel room, an RV...or my car.


Glad to know some are still able to look around and say "what recession?". Do me a favor, when you go out to eat, support locally-owned restaurants and bars. They tend to treat their employees better, serve better food and you aren't sending your money off to the corporations that are strangling us all.

off the pavement, in front of your tent, under the bridge.

:grr:

I stopped for gas this morning at one of those big mega stations where gas costs 4¢ less than the other places. It was VERY early and I was the only customer, so I had a clear view of many pumps as I was filling my car. All the pumps within my view all had last sales for very small amounts—no pump had sold more than $30 of gas on their meter , most had $10 or $20 sales. People are buying gas in small amounts as they can pay for it because they can't afford to fill their cars.

Salads become a luxury splurge item.

You know that if you lose your job, the company is getting 100 applications a day from people more qualified than you--and so is every other company in your field.

What you're spending on gas for travel related to work per month could pay for the second part of your root canal.

You can't afford to go to another city to help your best friend through surgery because plane tickets are utterly unaffordable now.

And I'm no longer even "working poor," more like "working lower-middle-class."

Tucker

for a major pizza chain. I have never seen some many people putting a two pizza order on credit cards like I have for the past 3 months.
Not a debt card, a credit card. It makes you wonder.

"rebate"