The economy

[Marigold2]

They say the economy is getting better.
But I don't see that.
Working for two Dr's I know people always become ill, in good times and very bad times.
Our phone is quite, our patient load is down.
The stores in our area and doing well. Yet other stores, mostly chains are closing.
Alvins a jewerly store which has been around since I can remember is closing here.
Going into Costco on a Sunday afternoon here is a mad house, tons of people buying, buying, buying.
I know it will take a while for things to get better. How are things in your neck of the woods?

[Laura's Babies]

The company I work for has so many boats tied up that it scares us. We are hoping when everything thaws and the Upper Mississippi River opens that things will change and pick up. I know we are pushing lot smaller tows than we usually do and they have us running in fuel efficiency mode.

I think it is going to get worse before it gets better..... everywhere.

[sparks19]

To be honest... Lancaster doesn't seem to have been hit nearly as hard as every where else. even realtors are thriving. there hasn't been many business' at all close. many business's are continuing to thrive. I know our family friend who opened her bead store three years ago is doing better than ever actually. Same with hubby's company.

We just seem to be in our own little bubble here. I don't know why but it has not hit this area yet nearly as hard as other places. we are very blessed

[Grace]

I live in Michigan - enough said

[krazyaboutkatz]

I work in a dental lab and we make crowns and do cosmetic work too. My boss said that in his 40 years of being in this business that last year has been his worst year yet. We're starting to get more business but there are still some employees that are only working part time or not at all. In my department of 2, I'm the only one working full time and my co-worker is only working part time and still collecting unemployment. She also works as the janitor for my company at night and this helps her with her car payment. There are days when I'm extremely busy and then there are days when I'm not so business isn't stable yet. I'm sure it'll take a long time before the economy is like it used to be. I'm just glad that I still have a job, a roof over my head, and that I've been able to keep paying my bills and take care of my cats.

[orangemm]

I'm in banking and our business has dropped as well. We're seeing more customers who have been laid off, have lost their homes, can't pay their bills and accounts that have been charged off.

We are operating with the minimal number of employees; people are being shifted around, sometimes we don't have coverage, and I have gone to part-time status, but that was my wish.

The company has tightened up on ordering supplies, we are forbidden to have overtime, and incentive programs have been altered considerably. The budget has been cut for lots of different items and we are making do with what we have.

My husband is self-employed and his work has dropped like a rock. Not much house-building going on, so trim carpenters are not needed.

[Laura's Babies]

They have claimed that our area hasn't been hit hard by it either but cuts are being made everywhere....? That sends mixed messages to me.

[carole]

Well i do think things are on the up down under, NZ was not as hard hit as the UK and USA, and according to reports one of the first to recover, still got higher unemployment than before the recession and like over 500 applicants for a supermarket job,unbelievable,some people were indeed the casualties in the recession and they may never recover, it is them i feel so sorry for.

We are just about to under go some major tax reform in NZ, first in ages, supposed to make it fairer but increasing GST, good and services tax from 12.5 to maybe 15 per cent, not happy about that, everything is going to cost more, they are off setting it all by tax cuts for everyone and increasing child support,however again the middle income earner always looses out.