Oh thats not good

**Lora88** · 02-01-2010, 02:42 PM

Went shopping in my local Walmart today I used to be a manager there so I am still friendly with some of the long time employees. Well I saw the food supervisor and said so whats new ? She proceeded to tell me that 3 of the managers who used to be at that store but were promoted to a new position are out of a job as of April. The position which was created is now eliminated and the store employees were warned that there will be more layoffs. Now I have been at Walmart when there were hiring freezes but never layoffs. I left with a sinking feeling and once again realized we are far from out of the woods and maybe the worst has not yet happened. I told my 20 year old son the story and he turned and said Oh thats not good . I guess that says it all.

**Grainlady** · 02-01-2010, 03:05 PM

I think our days of unfettered spending are over for the foreseeable future - even at Wal-Mart -, and there are more lay-offs in the future, as you have pointed out. Especially after the President launched his budget today, and 10% unemployment is expected to be the "norm" for the rest of the year.

Businesses are really struggling in our area. Where hubby works they will have to lay-off some more workers because there will be a tax hike to cover the State's unemployment fund, which is tapped out because they extended the unemployment benefits. Talk about a viscous circle....lay-off some people so you can cover the taxes that will pay their unemployment. Increasing taxes is going to kill more businesses this year.

**frugalwarrior2** · 02-01-2010, 03:30 PM

Saddle up that horse and get ready to ride. Coupons,stockpile,e-fund,debt. repayment. Rinse and repeat.
My DH's company has no new clients and they are doing debt consolidation computer work for large corps.
Walmart seems to be in shrinkage like everyone else. Plus they make it so unpleasant at times to shop there that people may have had enough. Sams Club is empty lately except weekends.

**Vanilla** · 02-01-2010, 04:13 PM

I don't think so.

It seems like the ripple effect is very much alive, maybe just a short breathing room, then the next wave will come.
I've been working in a real estate office (in Calif.) for over 12 years. In this intermediate area, the shortsales & foreclosures of higher to high end properties ($800K - $2+M) are happening more often in the last 2-3 months, last year was mostly the mid to lower end priced (under $650K) houses. My employer (in business for over 25 yrs) is having a hard time in making ends meet, has been struggling since 2008, closed down 2 branch offices, layoff 12 employees, I am one of the 3 left; used to have about 80 real estate agents in this company, only 35 remaining (some quit sales).
Factories/manufactures are moving out of Calif. or even closing down, due to strict regulations, high taxes & such. I don't see/hear anything that may be happening to boost up the economy.
Okay, I get off the soapbox now, thanks for listening.

**shoiji** · 02-01-2010, 05:09 PM

It is scary right now. Definately will take a long time before any type of recovery is really felt.

**JanieD** · 02-01-2010, 05:29 PM

Our Walmart was super busy Friday night w/only 4 registers opened with 5 or more customers in each line. Its seems they have cut staff, but customers were buying. I use to see others leaving not want to wait, but didn't notice anyone walking away from their cart. Not sure what this says about our local ecomony.

**ladytoysdream** · 02-01-2010, 05:57 PM

We are in the process of seeing a brand new super Walmart built, about 7 miles from where we live. This one the locals, been fighting against and seems so about 8 yrs getting to this point. But it does appear they will open it sometime this summer. It was paperwork they were fighting. Once they got the go ahead, they have been moving quite rapidly. The old Walmart probably will get torn down and a Loews will go in there. Or so we been led to believe. Our local economy is not good. I hope the new store does some serious hiring.

**Palooka** · 02-01-2010, 06:41 PM

What's weird here is that everytime I go out the restaurants and store parking lots are packed.

Are people just ordering coffee and window shopping. I dunno.

What I do know is that my teen can't find a job anywhere right now. She lost her job at McDonald's(long story) and has been applying everywhere she can. Nothing and no luck.

When I was a teen it was not like that.

It's getting scary to a degree.

I wonder how the casinos are doing here.

I need to go there.

**Lora88** · 02-01-2010, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by Palooka

What's weird here is that everytime I go out the restaurants and store parking lots are packed.

Are people just ordering coffee and window shopping. I dunno.

What I do know is that my teen can't find a job anywhere right now. She lost her job at McDonald's(long story) and has been applying everywhere she can. Nothing and no luck.

When I was a teen it was not like that.

It's getting scary to a degree.

I wonder how the casinos are doing here.

I need to go there.

It interesting that you mention your daughter not being able to find a job. I am hearing that all over from various friends of my sons. None of them are working except for the ones whose dads own businesses and they are working for their Dads. My sons girlfriend who is in college cant find anything part time it seems all the usual Mall jobs cvs rite aid supermarkets are not hiring. Puts more pressure on the parents to pay for things the teens might pick up themselves if they were working. I too notice places crowded but I think there is more looking than shopping. I know the casinos in AC are not doing well I went to the new one in Pa Mt airy and it was kind of empty

**Palooka** · 02-01-2010, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Lora88

It interesting that you mention your daughter not being able to find a job. I am hearing that all over from various friends of my sons. None of them are working except for the ones whose dads own businesses and they are working for their Dads. My sons girlfriend who is in college cant find anything part time it seems all the usual Mall jobs cvs rite aid supermarkets are not hiring. Puts more pressure on the parents to pay for things the teens might pick up themselves if they were working. I too notice places crowded but I think there is more looking than shopping. I know the casinos in AC are not doing well I went to the new one in Pa Mt airy and it was kind of empty

That's it and what I'm dealing with. At that age my parents cut me off from extra spending and I had to buy it. Because I did have a job from sixteen on and even through trade school.

Things like going out with friends, 5 bucks for a dance at school and then the clothes, gas money, extra hair products, etc.

My daughter has a car that her dad bought half and she payed the other half from her old job that she saved up. It sits in the driveway because neither parent can afford to pay her insurance. Thus without a car and drives ours sometimes (she can drive it to work or some errands but not going out with friends etc, cuz it's under our insurance but if she wrecks our rates go up) she is not getting no where.

If she finds a job she will be paying for her car insurance and also have more freedom. We are in a pickle at the moment.

**krbshappy71** · 02-01-2010, 08:41 PM

The district I work for is expecting a minimum $6 million budget cut for next school year. I'm keeping my mouth shut and my nose to the grindstone right now and I am in awe that others aren't doing the same.

My teen cannot seem to land a job right now either so I'm having her volunteer at Goodwill to fill her time instead and I'm paying for some of the things I would normally have her pay for if she was working. I have seen her beating the streets with her applications, follow-up calling, we can't get a return call from anyone. Our Safeway is taking applications in case they go on strike but I wouldn't let her apply for that. Maybe in these times I should have but it didn't set well with me. We're not behind on bills, just paying off a credit card of my own stupidity so for now I'm ok with her just volunteering.

**Palooka** · 02-01-2010, 08:52 PM

My daughter did follow up calls tonight like I always tell her to do. These are the places she has applied for.....

Taco Bell, Burger King, Hardee's, Subway, Mr.Goodcents, a few pizza places, two hardware stores, Dollar stores, four grocery stores, kmart, Hallmark and several places in the mall here that you can be seventeen to work at. Nada response and she is very smart.

I know when she turns 18 she will have more choices here. (soon)

*sigh*

**mauimagic** · 02-01-2010, 10:19 PM

It seems to be the same everywhere. Our visitor count is down and so is spending of the visitors who are here - we are definitely all in this together. Need to be smarter about everything - but that's okay - think it's about time.

Our dentist is now closed on Wednesdays because of lack of patients - and he's a great dentist. People are picking and choosing what they are willing to spend on.

**frugalwarrior2** · 02-01-2010, 11:50 PM

Same at this house too. I never intended to carry DD on the ins. or pay for community college and books but I am resigned. To keep health ins. on our plan she must go full time. So we scrimp for her. She applies all the time. Not a nibble. She has used all her savings bond from grandma,b-day money,xmas money and sold a few pieces of jewelry. Not sure what will happen come fall. These teens are being cheated out of earning their way to confidence and ultimately self-relience. KWIM??