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Uncommon Economic Indicators

The Brian Lehrer Show's online and on air collaborative project on the economy

Doing Less with Less

Story submitted by: Mary Catherine Graziano

Tuesday, February 9 2010

Bananas Comedy Club Poughkeepsie, NY

There is a lot of talk about "doing more with less" but I believe that this is a fallacy. When you have fewer staff, less gets done. For example, I was at a hotel in Poughkeepsie, and I noticed that the christmas ornaments were still up. Most likely no one had time to take them down. There were also only two wait staff serving over 120 people...loss of potential revenue, as customers decide not to go through the hassle of ordering drinks.

the pledge drive

Story submitted by: emily blake

Saturday, February 6 2010

my most worrisome economic indicator is the matching grants during wnyc pledge drives. it used to be that a regular matching grant was 1 for 1 and that the really good matching grants were $2 for every $1 donated. (do i remember a 3 for 1 drive?).

now i hear only .50 for $1 and rarely a match of 1 for 1.

when you can't support wnyc to the same level of generosity, times must be hard.

Vacant storefronts become artist spaces

Story submitted by: Coralie

Thursday, January 28 2010

14 E Broadway (at 4th St.)

I just heard learned about an underground movement to take advantage of the many buildings left behind by businesses that have closed in the Recession. A nonprofit group called No Longer Empty turns the vacant storefronts in NYC into art spaces. On Monday they are holding a CD release party/concert for a local orchestra, Metropolis Ensemble, in the old Tower Records building.

http://metropolisensemble.org/concerts/2010/cd/

Expanding to help more people in financial trouble

Story submitted by: Gabriela

Saturday, January 23 2010

4211 Broadway, New York, NY 10033

CWCID is a nonprofit located inside the George Washington bus station, this year we are expanding and hiring more financial counselors to give free help to New Yorkers in need.

Landlord Prefers Souvenir Shops

Story submitted by: Annie S.

Tuesday, January 19 2010

43rd St. 5th Avenue

I couldn't help but notice this sign under the register of JAM paper goods shop when I ran in for some last-minute gift wrap.

Store Manager Josie Ramirez is behind the counter. She is incredulous that the landlord wants them out just to bring in another souvenir shop. "There are two next door!" she exclaimed. But, she added that those shops are willing to pay three times the rent.

Going Postal (I might!)

Story submitted by: Elaine Weiss

Monday, January 18 2010

east 70th St between 2nd and 3rd Ave

I have lived opposite the Lenox Hill Post Office on E 70th St. Manhattan for the last 35 years. Around 6 months ago the post office decided to park all of their trucks on the block evenings and all weekend long. The block is now a truck parking lot. After contacting the postmaster general's office via Carolyn Maloney's office I am told they are trying to save gas, time and money. This is a fine concept except if you live here there is no longer any quality of life....we cannot see a lovely garden directly opposite, cannot curb a car with visitors on the wkend and the trucks are so large they seem like an invitation to criminals hiding between. For 35 years they parked in a lot 15 blocks away....doesn't seem like so much of a saving to me. (We are also contending with the construction of the 2nd Ave subway here which is supposed to be ready in 10 years!

Tax Appeals

Story submitted by: Mary Grunmeier

Monday, January 18 2010

Maplewood and South Orange, in Essex County are highly desirable communities for people moving from New York City. Close, easy commute for NYC workers, but these towns are victims of NJ home rule issues. I've been showing homes in Maplewood and South Orange...every single one of them is involved in a tax appeal. It is impossible to counsel my buyers regarding price. And all but a very few are either short sales or bank owned or impossible to show. It's just completely crazy now. I have never seen anything like this.

event baths less eventful

Story submitted by: miriam

Tuesday, January 12 2010

131-10 11th ave college point, ny

the "event bath" at spa castle out in college point, queens [http://nyspacastle.com] is a square jacuzzi tub. it formerly featured a daily rotation of scent/herb/flavoring "events," but now the bath is only eventful, ie, flavored, on the weekends.

economic downturn/crisis/ = an eventless baths m-f.

this report is on the ladies event bath; according to my boyfriend the men's side has suffered the same loss.

SECTION 8

Story submitted by: Lightfighter

Friday, January 8 2010

NYC GOTHAM

Wanted to point out toall who were not aware that the City of NY has frozen all Section 8 vouchers. In other words no New claims will be processed. Will we start seeing more homeless people?

Disappointed with Media Coverage on Economy

Story submitted by: Bill Packer

Wednesday, January 6 2010

The media including wnyc are almost completely disconnected from the public and their economic concerns.

Thats why i stopped listening to WNYC about 7 years ago.

Thom Hartmann does a good job of addressing the economic problems that have developed as a result of the 30 year class war against everyone that is not rich.

Reagan started it all. He was probably the worst president ever.

Can't Give It Away

Story submitted by: Dan D'Errico

Wednesday, January 6 2010

New York New York

I am a professional photographer. I regularly photograph a trade show over five days for a major trade magazine . The editors decided to forgo the coverage last year because they did not have the budget. I usually enjoy this work and I have shot this show with them for years. I decided to volunteer to shoot the show for free one day to help out during hard times. However, the editors aid they could not use my free pictures anyway -- there were not enough pages in the magazine to run the photos. There is not enough advertising to support it! I can't give my services away in this economy!

Coupons

Story submitted by: Lauren

Sunday, December 27 2009

It's amazing how much money you can save by using coupons! Watch for your fave items to go on sale and clip coupons from the paper, magazines, or even the Internet (if your store accepts them). This is a great way to make you income last longer.

Fall of Journalism

Story submitted by: Scott

Sunday, December 20 2009

1025 Rt. 10, Hanover, NJ

My grandmother grew up during the depression, and although she's financially stable, she's always kind of pinched her pennies. She likes to read the paper every day, but she doesn't see why she should pay the fifty cents or whatever it costs when she can get it for free. Lately, she's taken to picking up the newspaper after her sister-in-law down the street is done with it. My grandmother will read it, and then she'll pass it along to a friend of hers. I half-jokingly told her that she's the reason the newspapers are going out of business!

Holiday Stimulus

Story submitted by: Jax

Thursday, December 17 2009

On my commute to work, I noticed a traffic backup leading into a mall at 6am on Wednesday.

Budgeting

Story submitted by: Natasha Assa

Wednesday, December 16 2009

42 Berkely lane Syosset NY 11791

I have opened a free account on mint.com and have been checking where the money is going every day. For the first time in a decade I have a clear picture of our budget and understand that after all bills are paid we only have a couple of hundred dollars left on everything else. So I discontinued subscriptions to TV, cell phone, gym and stopped mindless purchases from Amazon, Home Shopping Network, QVC as well as stopped visiting restaurants, and became friends with free NPR Radio, Skype, Facebook, Netflix and our local library. By saving money I was able to sponsor of NPR ($10 a month) and find many new friends and affiliates. It did not cost me a dime. My life had never been better!

BX40/ BX 42 THE BRONX

Story submitted by: Carlos

Wednesday, December 16 2009

East Tremont, The Bronx, NYC

Greetings all, I work as an Inspector for the City and I get paid for my observational skills. So one thing I've observed as being a Chronic issue these past 5 years is the amount of people who skip the fare in the routes of the BX40 & BX42. I have called 311 repeatedly, spoken to the drivers, made referrals...nothing seems to deter the fare skippers... they come in through the rear entrance of the bus and is such common place that no one seems to notice anything out of the ordinary. This would not fly in most other parts of the City.

Illegal Property Seizure

Story submitted by: John Crowley

Wednesday, December 16 2009

Mink Hollow Woodstock, NY

The 5th wealthiest woman in the US is using an obscure NYS law to steal 2 acres of my property where she had illegal utility poles and wires placed, which constiutes criminal tresspass. She and her lawyers intend ot use "Adverse Posession" to steal my land where her illegal poles were placed. Plus it splits my property in 2 and threatens my ability to sell my house without a town waiver on subdivision ordinances

The Parking Lot

Story submitted by: Alice Garrard

Tuesday, December 15 2009

404 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT

As a long time resident of Redding, CT, I have been working out at the Wilton Family Y for well over 15 years. Wilton is a tony town with most houses in the seven figures range and many earning their living on Wall Street or at the brokerage houses/hedge funds in Lower Fairfield County.

The “Y” parking lot had always been filled with late model high-end vehicles with a smattering of more pedestrian Toyotas, Fords, and Hondas. Lately I’ve noticed the reverse – there are only about 10-15% late model expensive vehicles and the rest are average cars during the weekdays. However, on the weekends, the BMWs, Audis and Lexuses still occupy half of the parking spots. Weekends are the days when the men work out.

The conclusion I draw is that the women are doing the economizing and the men are holding onto their images.

Cab scam

Story submitted by: Lisa

Saturday, December 12 2009

West Village To Astoria

For the most part I think cabbies in NY are pretty reliable, mostly honest, maybe a little nuts, but generally fine people. Last night I took a cab home, and the fare was $19. I needed to break a $20 bill to give him a tip, so gave him another $20, he gave me change, and I gave him $3 extra. I was about to get out of the cab when suddenly he accused me of not giving him the $20. I distinctly remembered giving it to him, so I argued, insisting that I gave him the fare, plus another $20 bill to get change from. He got really angry and slightly aggressive, threatened me with karma, god, shouted at me and berated me until I grew weary of his nonsense. In the end he made me question myself so much that I just gave him the money to save myself the hexing he was about to give me. I told my sister the story the next day and she said that this has happened to her twice before and she just left the cab knowing he was trying to rip her off. I definitely got scammed. Lesson learned: don't question yourself when you know you're right.

Uncommon Bartering Opportunities in the New Economy

Story submitted by: Yvette

Wednesday, December 9 2009

18 Nielson St. New Brunswick, NJ 08901 96 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

We all know someone who does something we would like to do--maybe it is a skill we would like to know to improve our job prospects, or a creative pursuit we would like to invest our time in. Instead of buying these things which we can't afford during these days of uncertainty, I am going to find partners to barter with me. I will be giving language lessons to a pianist who will help me improve my playing in return. As a researcher on obesity in minority populations, II will be baking healthy food for a soup kitchen, and offerring nutritional counseling to the homeless who come there. I will donate my new music skills to children or seniors by playing in schools and nursing homes. I hope to help myself and others by giving and getting something of value in return--learning by community service, friendship, new acquaintences, and a feeling that I am lifting someone's spirits when the times seem bleak.