Yet another sign of economic recovery

**pollypurebred39** · 03-19-2012, 02:59 PM

I agree about the media and perceptions. The best thing the media could do at this time is just shut the heck up about their predictions of the sky falling. But hey that does not sell newspapers, rag mags, or televised "news" . And I use the term news begrudgingly, it's not news, it's sensationalism.

We are driven by consumerism in our economy. If you make those who have money, the ones secure in their jobs afraid to spend, it's bad for all of us. Bottom line, spending changes everything. Hard pill to swallow, especially if you're a frugal person to start with.

That said, while I've seen signs around here that indicate we are still struggling, I've seen even bigger signs that the tides are changing. We've had some huge, Mega million dollar projects that are slated to begin around here. The hiring has begun. This is HUGE, it means that the banks that were holding on to their money with both fists have begun to develop confidence in our economy. So much so that they are now lending MEGA MILLIONS for construction jobs. And I happen to know a little something about that. Construction jobs are the first to go, and the last to come back in a poor economy. Smile, be happy folks, the economy has begun it's rebound. You've just got to hold on a little while longer.

**Spirit Deer** · 03-19-2012, 03:25 PM

I saw a while back that new car sales are up and they are adding more shifts to car manufacturing plants. I guess that's where some of our taconite is going from up here on the Range. I also heard a lot of those new sales are from big companies buying fleets of trucks, another good sign.

And I saw that more companies are bringing manufacturing jobs back to the US due to cost of shipping from overseas and also the problems they've had with supply chains being more easily disrupted when parts are coming from so far away. At least there's one way higher fuel prices are working FOR us!

**pollypurebred39** · 03-19-2012, 03:45 PM

Ahh...the silver lining in high gas prices. *snort* Well, if there has to be high gas prices, meaning-there's not a dang thing we can do about it, then I'm glad there's perks. The more manufacturing jobs that are transplanted back to our soil the better.

The only thing I foresee in the recovery process is that there will be a reduction in wages that will remain, even as job openings increase. Employers have learned that we will work like dogs for low wages. So I still see that being out there in a recovered future. But I also see that the living wage jobs are making a come back (and as expected the wages are lower, but livable). I think, no I know we personally are willing to make that trade off to see a recovery.

**Lucas** · 03-19-2012, 04:05 PM

So 10% inflation year after year is a recovery? Things are only going to get worse. Our debt is only going to get larger as a nation and eventually it will end in the economic downfall of the US and maybe even the world.

**pollypurebred39** · 03-19-2012, 06:10 PM

So basically you believe we are doomed, well that's okay Lucus. No one wants to fight, or debate what constitutes a true recovery. It's all shifting sands, and I'd rather be optimistic about our future.

"Being optimistic doesn't mean you think everything is perfect. It means that you simply choose to keep smiling while striving through life's detours!"

If the world should eventually come to complete chaos, well there's nothing I can do to change that. Living and thinking negative I can change that. I've had my moments these last 4 years. But I can see the changes afoot, there is no denying real jobs, they are not just numbers but people we SEE getting work at REAL jobs. Besides the sun only shines on those who notice. So I'm choosing to notice the sun.

Lucus. It's much better for my health.

**Lucas** · 03-19-2012, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

So basically you believe we are doomed, well that's okay Lucus. No one wants to fight, or debate what constitutes a true recovery. It's all shifting sands, and I'd rather be optimistic about our future.

"Being optimistic doesn't mean you think everything is perfect. It means that you simply choose to keep smiling while striving through life's detours!"

If the world should eventually come to complete chaos, well there's nothing I can do to change that. Living and thinking negative I can change that. I've had my moments these last 4 years. But I can see the changes afoot, there is no denying real jobs, they are not just numbers but people we SEE getting work at REAL jobs. Besides the sun only shines on those who notice. So I'm choosing to notice the sun.

Lucus. It's much better for my health.

I don't blame you. Attitude is everything. Im not saying were doomed but I am saying the dollar is doomed. Once it crashes we'll all be in a similar boat as greekislandgirls country is unless we are prepared which it sounds like everyone on this board is doing a lot of! Looking at the positives is important but being realistic is important too. If we do have a depression family will become more important and communities will be closer knit. Things we take for granted now we will not afterwards. Those are some positive things.

**pollypurebred39** · 03-19-2012, 06:59 PM

I think I pretty much covered that scenario, the living on far less here is this post. But I guess you are suggesting it will get worse for us (this country) then it is now. Well, we already live that now. LOL! Any worse and we'd be homeless. I think I'm good Lucus. If it all hits the fan, then it hits the fan. Right now I'm just going to watch as my DH's job sector continues to rebound and expectantly wait for God to bless us with a job in his sector once again. It's good for me to remember this verse, You will be in moments of despair, but you will not be destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:6-10) And Lucus, we are willing to take less and live on less than we did before, so if that's a recovery, I'm okay with that too. I'm not going to spend my days worrying about the storm... I'm just going to adjust my sails.

"The only thing I foresee in the recovery process is that there will be a reduction in wages that will remain, even as job openings increase. Employers have learned that we will work like dogs for low wages. So I still see that being out there in a recovered future. But I also see that the living wage jobs are making a come back (and as expected the wages are lower, but livable). I think, no I know we personally are willing to make that trade off to see a recovery."

**Spirit Deer** · 03-19-2012, 07:24 PM

**Beejay** · 03-19-2012, 07:29 PM

A definite sign of an improving economy in my small city is local new car dealers reporting a sharp increase in new car sales, despite the increased price of gas. At one dealer, the Feb. sales were up 30% over the same month in 2011. This same dealer is building 2 new showrooms to open this summer. This is good news for my area which is also losing its one Sears store and also has been devastated economically by GM plant closings that used to employ thousands of area residents. So, I say BRING ON THE RECOVERY !!!

**brennasmom** · 03-19-2012, 07:37 PM

Hmm, not seeing any signs of recovery here. On my street alone there are at least 3 empty foreclosure, higher gas prices, higher food prices, higher health care costs.

**pollypurebred39** · 03-19-2012, 07:59 PM

Beejay, we are seeing a sharp increase in car sales here too.

brennasmom, we are seeing all that too. However in addition to that we are seeing signs of recovery. We got hit really hard here where I live. Now finally, there are signs of real recovery happening. Long way to go, but we've had nothing for 4+ years but foreclosures, and Micky D type jobs. But there are constructions jobs, big ones on the boards, slated to begin. What that means is banks see something, no, know something, have confidence for a reason, and the LAST industry to revive in a downturn is starting to rise from the ashes. For that I could not be happier. I hope that your area starts seeing what the rest of us here are posting about in our areas.

**oheoh's momma** · 03-19-2012, 08:12 PM

we don't have a shopco or pamidea here we had a pamidea here several years ago it shut down it was nasty...our save a lot here is spotless....

our sear appliance shop is rumoured to be closing and don't know how K is in business it is never full,the one in Painstville is dirty we go to pikeville to shop...

I don't see much econmic growth here

**AGierald** · 03-19-2012, 08:16 PM

I think people need to realize that recovery takes a loooooot longer to happen that recession does. That can happen quickly, but it takes a lot longer to fix things.

And living in chicago, I don't honestly remember any time in my adult life that gas was under $2 a gallon and $3 a gallon would be crazy super low for the last like 10 years.

**Spirit Deer** · 03-19-2012, 08:31 PM

Gas was $1.80 a gallon in 2002. That was the year we bought our motorhome and that's what we paid to fill the gas tank on the way home from the dealer. We were in awe that it cost over $100 to fill the 80-gallon tank. Now we spend that much to fill our truck or van.

We feel personally responsible for the rise in gas prices. If only we hadn't bought that moho.

**Beejay** · 03-19-2012, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

Beejay, we are seeing a sharp increase in car sales here too.

brennasmom, we are seeing all that too. However in addition to that we are seeing signs of recovery. We got hit really hard here where I live. Now finally, there are signs of real recovery happening. Long way to go, but we've had nothing for 4+ years but foreclosures, and Micky D type jobs. But there are constructions jobs, big ones on the boards, slated to begin. What that means is banks see something, no, know something, have confidence for a reason, and the LAST industry to revive in a downturn is starting to rise from the ashes. For that I could not be happier. I hope that your area starts seeing what the rest of us here are posting about in our areas.

We are also seeing new construction in town. Mostly, on the south side of town near the interstate. Also, our large Hobby Lobby store and Family Christian Bookstore have moved into new buildings in that area. One of our major credit unions is building a new building there also. Our Goodwill store in the same area has also built a huge extension onto their building. GOODWILL ?????? (LOL) Also, 2 new gas stations going up out there. These are good signs for our city !