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Uncommon Economic Indicators

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

Ticker-Tape--Ticker-Scrape

Story submitted by: Giuseppe Castellacci

Friday, November 6 2009

Canyon of Heroes

Toilet paper and shredded office paper replace good old ticker tape in today's Yankee's Parade
(http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/11/06/sports/20091106SPTSPARADE_2.html)
Why not? It saves even disposal costs!

Pens Get Downsized

Story submitted by: Frances White

Wednesday, November 4 2009

Albuquerque, NM

I noticed the uncommon economic indicators when my bank changed its free pens from its groovy turquoise and white "click" roller ball type pen imprinted with its logo and website to a basic off-the-shelf (with NO imprinting) garden variety basic pen with a cap.

Freelance drying up

Story submitted by: Kirsten Rohrs

Friday, October 30 2009

I was a freelance editor in magazine publishing for 16 years. Over the past year, ALL of my jobs have disappeared, with publications folding and advertising pages down. I have now taken a full-time writing position at a university, making 40% less than I was bringing in last year. I feel lucky to have a job at an organization that is not in danger of closing. However, the economic hit will be hard on me and my family.

bottom feeder

Story submitted by: Jerry

Friday, October 30 2009

Was at Jack's 99 pennies at 32nd st., an older lady came out with her shpping bags and stepped in a new Mercedes Benz 500 cabriolet waiting for her.

Recession Forces Us to "Funsize"

Story submitted by: Virginia

Wednesday, October 28 2009

Katonah NY

For the first time since we moved into our home in northern Westchester county 14 years ago, we will not be giving out full-size Hershey bars this Halloween.

Our little 'hood is an increasingly popular trick-or-treating destination for our and neighboring towns, and we will easily get 600 visitors on our porch Saturday night. WIth me laid off from my publishing job several months ago, and my husband's design firm experiencing the expected revenue falloff, we could no longer justify our confectionary largesse. We'll be handing out puny little candy pieces just like everyone else.

We'll miss the large-eyed astonishment of the little kids who've seemingly never laid eyes on an actual, honest-to-goodness candy bar. And the whoops and calls and thank-you-thank-you-thanks-you's of the early teens who are jarred from their feigned wordliness when they see that big honkin' brown wrapper.

But we're sure that our Halloweeners will understand our cutback, and remember that the real point of Halloween is to venture out into the crisp fall night, see one's friends and neighbors, and have some good, clean, fun. Oh, jeez; I hope we don't get egged.

Story submitted by: Dank C. Linkhart

Tuesday, October 27 2009

10th St. Brooklyn, 11215

You know those disposable salt and pepper grinders one can now purchase at the supermarket ?
I have found out that with a pair of wide pliers one can open them and refill them.

Story submitted by: Gaye Leslie

Monday, October 26 2009

106 Seventh Avenue, 11215 806 Union St 11215

2 stores I've seen recently closed, in the busiest part of 7th Avenue in Park Slope Brooklyn. A deli-grocery which included an organic section, and a frozen yogurt store, both closed within the past 2 weeks.
(a) 2 doors from Union Sreet, the deli-grocery, don't remember the name;
(b) a TastiDelite right on Union St, just around the corner from the deli above.

Skateboard mafia

Story submitted by: Christopher Johnson

Sunday, October 25 2009

1 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn NY 11238

The local skateboard mafia--twenty or so boys ranging in age from eight to fifteen, I'd guess--has taken over the empty planters outside the glossy new Richard Meier building on Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn. No one from the building chases them away, or appears to pay the slightest attention to them. The boys are very polite and make every effort to accommodate passersby, but what a comedown for this much-ballyhooed luxury building!

Banks coming to me

Story submitted by: Anu Prestonia

Friday, October 23 2009

327 Gold Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

I'm starting a new business and recently registered for a corporate license. A week later a Business Banker showed up at my current place of business to introduce himself and to see if I would consider opening my new business account with his bank (Chase Bank). He went on to say that his bank is not the big, impersonal bank I may think that it is (really now). Not to mention his bank is right across the way from my business.

Well this is a first for me. In all the years I've been in business (19 yrs), I've never had a banker show up and ask me to open an account with his bank. This is an uncommon economic indicator.

City and State Recruiting Volunteer Attorneys

Story submitted by: Naomi Cohn

Tuesday, October 20 2009

Did you know that the city and state are recruiting attorneys to work on a volunteer basis?

Overwhelmed by the needs of unrepresented litigants in the recession, the state courts are looking for volunteer attorneys to provide free legal advice in proceedings involving foreclosure, consumer debt, landlord/tenant, and other areas.

But the city and state are also recruiting volunteer attorneys to actually do the everyday legal work of their regular lawyers. The website of the city's law department advertises that volunteer attorneys who have recently been laid off are needed to conduct depositions. The state is recruiting volunteer attorneys to serve as law clerks for state judges. Volunteer attorneys are also working in various state and city agencies.

I don't have anything against these programs. I have already participated in four of them since being laid off in January, 2009. I am, however, wondering what people would say if the city and state were to begin recruiting people to work as volunteer teachers, firefighters, and police officers.

In the meantime, the volunteer work I have been doing has provided me the opportunity to help other New Yorkers who have been hit by the recession. I have gained experience in landlord/tenant law and employment law to add to my background in real estate, collections, and commercial litigation. Would anyone like to offer me a paying job?

New Service With a Smile

Story submitted by: Jill Waldman

Monday, October 19 2009

Smith Street Brooklyn, NY

I went in to an expensive store where the staff has always been very snotty to me. I have a 2 month old baby, and haven't been paying much attention to my clothes. I was wearing old chord pants and a baggy sweatshirt left over from college and did not look hip or fashionable in any capacity. I was looking around, and noticed that this time the staff were falling all over themselves to try to sell me clothes. They were bringing me different outfits they thought I might like, complementing me, and making small talk. I felt like a celebrity, even though I looked like a ragamuffin. I did buy something small, my first purchase at this overpriced venue.

Upscale Recycling

Story submitted by: Jax

Saturday, October 17 2009

It is now a common sight to see yuppies picking through trash cans around parks in Lower Manhattan.

Ms

Story submitted by: Ellen Moskowitz

Friday, October 16 2009

2000 purchase street purchase, ny 10577

Oct 16th--11:15 am... a nervous caller to my unlisted work phone stumbles with my name, claims he's working with others in my company, and asks me if I am interested in corporate stock options..."Boiler Room Revisited?"- --or a sign of recovery since the DOW jones avg topped 10,000 this week!

Keep On Truckin'

Story submitted by: Julie Lifton

Thursday, October 15 2009

Interstate Hwy 87 Rockland County, NY

I drive up and down the NYState Thruway between exits 11 and 14 many times a week. Since mid-September there has been an increase in the number of trucks on the road: food transport, car carriers, etc... While I usually do not enjoy sharing the road with these big semi's, I now welcome them as a sign that the economy is improving. (too bad that has negative implications for the environment!)

A free children's dinner.

Story submitted by: Paula Beckenstein

Tuesday, October 13 2009

I took my young grandsons for dinner last Tuesday evening, in Mt. Kisco, to Applebys, and after ordering dinners for all, I saw a clipping that said children's dinners on Tuesday evening are free!

Piggy bank raiders

Story submitted by: Jacquie Flynn

Tuesday, October 13 2009

Maywood, NJ

My husband is a coin collector, so my sons and I are very good about always checking our change to pick out anything old or rare before spending it. Since the recession began we have noticed a major upsurge in the number of Buffalo Nickels and Wheat Pennies in circulation. We've guess that hard times have caused people to raid their piggy banks.

A nicer attitude

Story submitted by: Ruth Ross

Tuesday, October 13 2009

115-502 Old Short Hills Road West Orange, NJ 07052

Each year for 38 years, I have received a nasty letter from my apt. rental office notifying me that I must vacate my apt. by a certain date, unless I sign a new lease. This year, they told me how much they value my tenancy and refunded half my security deposit!

Door to Door Bond Salesman

Story submitted by: Scott Gurian

Monday, October 12 2009

Bloomfield, nj

A financial advisor from a well-known investment company rang my bell early this morning and gave me a flier about a municipal bond with a yield of 5%. I'm 30 years old. The catch is that I'd need to invest $100K and that it wouldn't mature until years after I myself start receiving Modern Maturity! Since when did they start selling bonds door to door like girl scout cookies?

Health care failure

Story submitted by: Barbara Singer

Sunday, October 11 2009

Park Avenue South 21st Street

Yesterday a rather shabbily dressed man was standing next to a trash can on Park Avenue South and 21st Street. He was reading Rolling Stones magazine intently while holding the copy very close to his face. It was obvious that he needs glasses. To me this is a sign that the economy is failing, particularly regarding health care.

Ups and Downs

Story submitted by: Kathryn Krase

Sunday, October 11 2009

I reverse commute from Brooklyn to Mahwah, NJ three times a week. I was pleased to see that commercial construction on Route 17 is still happening. Then I realized something: The construction is limited to two luxury car showrooms (Porsche and BMW) and a Gas station! That's depressing, and more in line with my recent craigslist experiences. I couldn't sell a $400 tv stand for $5, listed for almost a month. Put on the free stuff list I got 20 emails in 24 hours!