[grania]

Could it be that people except for those with no financial restraints are buying less stuff? Such a large percentage of ones income goes to things that have no substance....technology, insurance, paying off education loans etc. People aren't buying real physical books, movies, music. Many sold their jewelry to pay the bills. It's been written that many younger people aren't even interested in owning cars. The local businesses that are surviving are restaurants and grocery stores.

There's no reason to buy merchandise locally. Most of it is pawed over and in those large stores shopping isn't even fun. All of the merchandise is the same anyway, just with different labels. What's the point of having local merchandise if the stores don't sell unique hand-crafted merchandise that I can't get online?

[Grams A]

I know that I haven’t purchased anything except limited food and gas for the car since the middle of December. Property and MUD taxes, HOA dues, auto and homeowner’s insurance and all the utility bills due in January. Only so much to go around. These all have to be paid. All the other stuff is unnecessary.