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Uncommon Economic Indicators

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

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!

Condo Developer Gets Creative, Collaborates with Students

Story submitted by: AN

Friday, October 9 2009

111 Third St, brooklyn ny

Condos are a tough sell these days -- it takes something special. Hudson, the developer of a 44 unit condo in Carroll Gardens, hired Pratt Institute to outfit two model apartments with designs by Pratt students and faculty. Two years ago, buyers didn't need to see a sales model to sign a contract. Now they demand it and time to mull the purchase over.

Editor's note: While the original submission was added by an employee at the Hudson group, and this site does not exist to market condo sales, we have left the interesting content that shows an uncommon economic indicator: how one business is looking for unique partnerships to weather a tough market.

Hot Deal on Fancy-ish Ice Cream

Story submitted by: Ciesse

Friday, October 9 2009

1074 Lexington Ave And other D'Agostino stores.

A chain supermarket in NYC (and not your usual discounter like Key Foods or C-Town) was selling Haagen Dazs 'pints' this week 2 for $3 -- as part of an unusually deal-filled sale. A vigilant tracker of supermarket circulars (and happy hoarder of icy treats), I have never seen HD priced lower than $2.50. At most Manhattan stores, including this one, they run about $5 each. The rusty lining on this silver cloud is of course that Haagen Dazs downsized its 'pints' from 16 to to 14 ounces a while back.

Kids Day weekend postponed

Story submitted by: Abhijit

Friday, October 9 2009

Exit 116 Garden State Parkway Holmdel, NJ 07733

Kids Day weekend was to be held at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on Oct 11th and 12th this year. Now due to budget cuts its been postponed until next year.

Desperation

Story submitted by: Upper West Sider

Tuesday, October 6 2009

West 72nd Street

Walking to my office on West 72nd Street, I was greeted by a neighbor on the street, a chiropractor, who was handing out flyers advertising his services for a deep discount.

On Columbus Avenue and 74th Street a New Jersey tourism office opened and offered giveaways: fresh scones from a NJ bakery, luggage tags, scented candles, thermal bottle covers, and the piece de resistance: a drawing with the grand prize of an all-expenses-paid weekend in Atlantic City. The rationale? People want to vacation closer to home in these tough economic times.

Downturn in Street Fair Vendors

Story submitted by: Upper West Sider

Tuesday, October 6 2009

Upper West Side

Last Sunday, a beautiful summerlike day, I walked near my apartment on Broadway in a couple of street fairs. To my surprise, where there are usually back-to-back vendors with no empty spaces, this time there were many empty spaces and much fewer vendors. Signs of the times?

Chase bank desperate for customers

Story submitted by: John LaVallee

Thursday, October 1 2009

Chase Bank 405 Lexington Ave

I was at the Chase ATM in the Chrysler building on Wednesday and the "customer service" reps were staking out the lobby for potential customers. There was a woman next to me using the ATM with a non Chase card and the rep approached her in mid transaction to pitch her into opening a new account. He was standing over her shoulder pointing at the screen telling her she could save the $3 service fee AND give her $100. Clearly an invasion of personal space. She declined saying she had to be somewhere but he persisted almost dragging her into the office. I know that retail banking is getting competitive but these tactics are more aggressive than charity workers on the streets. This makes me want to change my bank to a credit union.

Nickels and dimes

Story submitted by: Christian Hege

Tuesday, September 29 2009

I remember this happening in an earlier recession: sortof-old coins, such as wheat pennies from the '40s and '50s, are turning up in my pocket change. I think people are busting the penny jars open.

Rail Freight

Story submitted by: drew harris

Tuesday, September 29 2009

Rahway Ave & Lamberts Mill road westfield, nj

Every day on my way to work I cross a railroad grade crossing. The line only carries freight. Starting in 2007, I spent less time waiting for trains to pass. The trains were shorter with many open box cars and empty container carriers. I could only assume that this was an indication of less manufacturing and wholesale sales.

Recently, the number and length of the trains that I'm waiting to pass have increased. Good news I hope.

Where's the eggplant?

Story submitted by: Michael Shamoon

Monday, September 28 2009

Columbia University 116th & Amsterdam Ave

After recently eating two of my favorite sandwiches from one of my favorite cafes it finally occurred to me what was off about them: where the sandwich used to feature a few plump and meaty slices of fried eggplant there are now only pathetic wafers of eggplant-like remnants between two hefty fried layers! (Note the distinct lack of a downsizing in price...)

There can be only one culprit for this downsizing—darn you o global economic recession. I want my sandwich back!

The "Wheat Back" is back

Story submitted by: Häsh reichardt

Monday, September 28 2009

16 E 40TH St 10016

I am a collector of old coins and I have found more "Wheat Back" pennies in the past 6 months, in general circulation (in change from supermarket, restaurants, variety stores, etc.), then I have in the past 5 years. I guess people are cashing in their change from piggy banks and water bottles.

museum fires staff: museum goers and art adversely affected

Story submitted by: miriam rosenstein

Monday, September 28 2009

Maplewood, New Jersey

At the Met Museum, no elevator operators this past Sunday: elevator doors closing on wheel chair occupants, baby strollers. etc, hitting them midway .. no guards in many of the galleries to keep people from touching the paintings and sculptures, etc etc -- not to speak of the miseries to those unfortunate workers who who now have no incomes!

No Work Ever

Story submitted by: Eugenia Renskoff

Friday, September 25 2009

338 Berry Street, Williamsburgh

Hi, I am living in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn. I love New York and would like to remain here, but after suffering through mortgage fraud/foreclosure in GA, being back here has proven harder than I would like. At one point last year, I was homeless, living on the steps of St. Bart's church. I am an author (my novel Different Flags came out a few years ago) and a translator/language teacher. Yet, I can find no work. Maybe it's my age (55), maybe it's the economy. The bottom line is that I seem to have no options. But, unfortunately, I am still alive and need to pay my bills. Eugenia Renskoff

Unemployment Benefits Nationwide

Story submitted by: Josh Holbreich

Friday, September 25 2009

Perhaps this is not so uncommon, but as an unemployed journalist, I felt the need to do some research. It seems that 23 states pay out a higher maximum weekly unemployment benefit than New York State's famous $405. Of those 23, only 3 have a higher cost of living (COL) than the Empire State (44th Highest COL). MA ranks one lower at 43, but pays out $900. OK, with the lowest COL pays $392.