i think this is a good sign.... i think....

**sabrelvssammy** · 03-30-2009, 02:00 PM

so my mom lives in a 'retirement community' in Indpls...(not nursing home...think a bunch of seniors living in their own places under one general roof)...alot still have their own cars but they have a 'senior bus' that takes them around if they choose not to drive (weather, daylight...whatever)...anyway...they also plan 'group' outings with this bus so they get to go lots of places together as a group....

so they have 'eat-out' night twice a month and they take a vote as to where they want to go...last week was texas road house...they usually call ahead and have 'arrangements' for their large group (as they did this time)....(now mind you...their 'large' group is not enough to overtake a restaurant...it might be 25-30 people)...

so she was telling me about her 'night out'...and she said that the restaurant was just 'packed'...there were people waiting outside the doors...there was a long wait list of names...(this was a week-night....not a fri or sat nt)....and the parking lot was overflowing...

so they noticed it and got to talking about it and then when they all piled back on the bus they made a point to check out all the other 'establishments' they passed on their way back home (probably about a 10 mile trip one way)....she said every restaurant lot was packed...people milling about outside the doors....the strip-mall parking lots were full....they live across from a 'major' mall and that lot was full of cars (not like x-mas time) but for a 'economy in crisis' it was overflowing....

so i got to wondering...do you think that maybe people are 'lightening' up a bit after being denied for so long....they have sat back and watched their pennies and put a little aside for a 'rainy day' and now the best of 'human nature'... 'human consumption nature' that is ..is starting to get the best of them and they are getting a 'little itchy'....(even the gov't said spending was up a little bit last month...) maybe IT is.... maybe people are starting to spend....because in spite of all that have 'lost' their jobs...plenty more still have paychecks coming in.....are they getting 'bored' staying home ???

i mean come on...we are the poster children of the 'frugalites'...and we occasionally feel the 'need'....(though we just head to our nearest thrift store when 'panic-spend' attacks happen....)

maybe...just maybe....things are starting to look better in the opposite direction..... whatcha think????

**AmyBoz** · 03-30-2009, 02:03 PM

I'm not sure what I'd attribute it to, but I'd agree. Restaurants around here are also busting at the seams.

**Thevail** · 03-30-2009, 02:29 PM

I think that it's a good sign! American's (and probably most other people) are not naturally "scared". We don't like feeling that way. And we'll usually only do it for so long before we "just get over it".

People were also back out shopping, spending, eating out etc. within a few months of Y2K prep, the Twin Towers Terror Attack, the Katrina Devastation, etc. etc.

The economy is pretty bad right now, but honestly, I fail to see how me skipping "date night" once a week is going to improve it. Maybe everyone generally figured that out.

I think for a lot of people who got scared and started saving for the first time, they're probably MORE financially secure than they've ever been. Because now they have SOME money in savings where before they had NONE.

**sabrelvssammy** · 03-30-2009, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Thevail

I think that it's a good sign! American's (and probably most other people) are not naturally "scared". We don't like feeling that way. And we'll usually only do it for so long before we "just get over it".

People were also back out shopping, spending, eating out etc. within a few months of Y2K prep, the Twin Towers Terror Attack, the Katrina Devastation, etc. etc.

The economy is pretty bad right now, but honestly, I fail to see how me skipping "date night" once a week is going to improve it. Maybe everyone generally figured that out.

I think for a lot of people who got scared and started saving for the first time, they're probably MORE financially secure than they've ever been. Because now they have SOME money in savings where before they had NONE.

yea...now the bigger question....'how long' will that savings last....

**Spirit Deer** · 03-30-2009, 03:13 PM

We went out of town a couple weeks ago and were surprised to see the parking lots at stores packed wall to wall, too.

**sabrelvssammy** · 03-30-2009, 03:24 PM

weeheee........ that just means one thing.......

the thrift store collections are going to start picking up.....

gear-up guys......

**justpeachy92** · 03-30-2009, 03:26 PM

I think it as alot to do with the time of year it is. Alot of people are getting their tax refunds in and feeling they have a little bit more to spend. I know we earmarked part of our tax refund to buy a second car, our eldest now has her permit and we are finding having one car, four kids that want to do activities to be very hard. I have noticed that cars we were looking at 2 months ago are now $1000 or more in price, so were are waiting another month or 2 to buy a second car just to see if they come down in price again after people have blown their tax refunds.

**sabrelvssammy** · 03-30-2009, 03:30 PM

tax refunds...paychecks...whatever it is...hopefully people will see that 'others' are spending and they will be a little more confident and open up their wallets and purses....and that in turn can help 'push' the economy a little farther and faster in the 'right' direction and then the stores will begin hiring again and the factories will start producing again....and they need employees to do that...and it just goes on and on....

(hey...a girl can have a dream can't she...?)

**Thevail** · 03-30-2009, 03:51 PM

Dream on Sabre..and I'll dream with you!

I think the tax rebate thing is probably pretty accurate..but..

People will continue getting tax rebates until the end of May..so it could sustain itself long enough to push those GDP numbers a little higher. Which makes the economy a little better, which gives people and businesses a little more confidence..etc.

As for people saving money...I think we may see another 5% of the population decide that they like sleeping better at night. Which would be a big improvement. But most of them will hold onto it for a few months or even a year and then spend it on something or other. *shrug* can't save 'em all..or is they can't all mange to save??