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Vanity: How does the economy feel near you?
12/24/14 | Vanity

Posted on 12/24/2014 10:25:11 AM PST by Vermont Lt

As the Dow hits new heights, there are reports all around about the new robustness of the U.S. economy.

Things here in Western MA are not great. It doesn't feel like huge 5% growth and the unemployed are all around.

I am wondering what it's like in your neck of the woods.

Also, wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a great 2015!


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: economy
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To: Vermont Lt

I’m waiting to hear from a possible employer about a new medical transcription job (remote, at home); but locally the economy just SUCKS. Very few jobs, small town (Kingman, AZ), and employers never even acknowledge receipt of an employment application.


21 posted on 12/24/2014 10:45:12 AM PST by pbmaltzman
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To: Vermont Lt

The economy in Texas,like Oklahoma,Louisiana,and North Dakota is booming IN SPITE of Ali Bama and the libtard’s efforts to kill the oil and gas industry.


22 posted on 12/24/2014 10:46:43 AM PST by WP Lonestar (No matter where you go, there you are)
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To: Vermont Lt

Around here (near-Cleveland) it feels pretty good. Restaurants and stores are crowded. Lots of home maintenance projects were done in the summer and autumn. There are always some “help-wanted” signs out. Christmas trees sold out over a week ago in nearby locations.


23 posted on 12/24/2014 10:48:56 AM PST by grania
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To: Vermont Lt

I’ve started investing my 401k in rental houses. There are an unbelievable number of repossessed homes. Some have been vacant more than four years and have not been sold or are even on the market. The realtor told me this is the best December for repo sales in her 30 year career. She and most of her large office are working 7 days a week. These are not new sales, but repos being sold at cents on the dollar.

I read a recent article that the 11% decline in Black Friday sales is closer to 20% when you figure in inflation. True gas is down, but insurance, taxes and food are way up.

The stock market, if figured in constant year dollars is down to below where it was when Obama took office. That 18,000 number is due to inflation, not value.

In short, the economy still wobbles. As for the 5% growth, pull the other one, it has bells on.


24 posted on 12/24/2014 10:49:01 AM PST by Gen.Blather
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The Texas Hill Country seems to be doing ok although many still don’t have decent jobs. I can’t really judge the overall picture because we have a wide range of people living jumbled together - the filthy rich who are still spending like there’s no tomorrow, the commuters, a large percent of retired on fixed incomes and a increasing number of illegals. On Monday, Walmart wasn’t crowded at all and seemed to have less customers than usual. On Tuesday, we had some repairmen who said they were glad for the work because the only jobs they had recently were putting up Christmas lights for the filthy rich.

Gas finally broke the $2.20 mark so now at $2.19 - $2.15.


25 posted on 12/24/2014 10:49:03 AM PST by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: Vermont Lt

Growth in the Rocky Mtns. Conservative state government, tons of clean technology and lots of energy resource development. Empty homes all over town are getting bought up and rehabbed. Still lots of people living in RV’s in driveways with extension cords running to the main house.


26 posted on 12/24/2014 10:50:05 AM PST by lurk
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To: T. P. Pole

if you are at the same place as 5 years ago and prices are this much higher, you aren’t as comfy as 5 years ago for sure


27 posted on 12/24/2014 10:50:36 AM PST by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: corbe

Amen!


28 posted on 12/24/2014 10:51:06 AM PST by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: Vermont Lt

Growth in the Rocky Mtns. Conservative state government, tons of clean technology and lots of energy resource development. Empty homes all over town are getting bought up and rehabbed. Still lots of people living in RV’s in driveways with extension cords running to the main house.


29 posted on 12/24/2014 10:52:20 AM PST by lurk
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To: bgill

Huh? $1.83/gallon here in Denton.


30 posted on 12/24/2014 10:52:51 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.)
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To: Vermont Lt

Economy is much improved here in Colorado. People are getting jobs without long searches, rental markets are tight and rents are up, as are commercial and residential real estate prices. Housing in short supply, though the buying mania has eased.

State unemployment rate is 4.1%.

Lots of young hipsters moving to the state for its jobs and ample recreation opportunities, including pot. This includes homeless people too, unfortunately. Shelters running pretty full even with the better economy. The homeless coming in are pros at it, homeless by choice. They gravitate to Denver, which is fine with us mountain folk.

Things will start slowing within a year if energy prices remian depressed. But Colorado also becoming a tech center which will help.


31 posted on 12/24/2014 10:55:14 AM PST by SaxxonWoods (Life is good.)
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To: Vermont Lt

Temp jobs, low wages, outrageous productivity quotas, massive amounts of overtime though during the fourth quarter....


32 posted on 12/24/2014 10:55:32 AM PST by Dallas59
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To: Vermont Lt
My work: some downsizing over the past year, some moving people around.

My area: zero commercial construction with one exception - a government water project. Limited residential housing starts anywhere around.

As for jobs... No significant new businesses have moved into the area, no new starts. Some minor layoffs/downsizing, some minor hiring. Perhaps the best thing that could be said is that it's not getting significantly worse as it has over the past 5 to 6 years or so. Definitely not getting any better either though. Everyone seems to be just hanging on. (barely)

33 posted on 12/24/2014 10:57:03 AM PST by ThunderSleeps (Stop obarma now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
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To: ThunderSleeps

What state?


34 posted on 12/24/2014 11:00:42 AM PST by SaxxonWoods (Life is good.)
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To: digger48

We didn’t exchange gifts last year and won’t this year either. I’m supposed to be off FR and in the kitchen making goodies for the neighbors. Family dinner tomorrow. And may take some homemade zero cost little stocking stuffers (left over from last year when they ticked me off) to the big family ta do at New Years. Sorry, the economy isn’t going to be helped with my Christmas spending.


35 posted on 12/24/2014 11:01:03 AM PST by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: T. P. Pole

I heard yesterday that the state employees (TX) retirement fund is going to be making even larger cuts in monthly benefits because it’s no longer profitable. It will be out of money by 2050. But, but Texas was supposed to be growing!!! Think again.


36 posted on 12/24/2014 11:06:52 AM PST by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: grania

There usually are a handful of Christmas tree lots but there hasn’t been any this year.


37 posted on 12/24/2014 11:10:45 AM PST by bgill (CDC site, "we still do not know exactly how people are infected with Ebola")
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To: Vermont Lt; cripplecreek
Northwestern Michigan housing market is insane. Real estate agents don't care at all about helping you. There are no rentals to be found. Houses move almost overnight to sold.

This may change if the fracking is stopped.

PS we did finally land a place and hope to close in a few weeks.

38 posted on 12/24/2014 11:12:37 AM PST by MarMema (Run Ted Run)
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To: GeronL

Trivial raises but moderate inflation does mean you aren’t as comfy, indeed. But you are a whole lot better off than the other %50 or so that have been laid off and either can’t get work or got something with less than half the salary. Those folks are downright hurting.


39 posted on 12/24/2014 11:14:16 AM PST by T. P. Pole
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To: Vermont Lt
What kind of treacherous question is that? Who are you to question or comment on the economy? Obama's America is stronger than it's ever been. Unemployment is down, productivity is up, and consumer confidence is higher than it's ever been, thanks to smart policies in Washington and a common-sense President who is a leader, a patriot, and a genius.
40 posted on 12/24/2014 11:15:42 AM PST by golux
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