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Uncommon Economic Indicators

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

Even mental disorders have their advantages!

Story submitted by: Alyson

Monday, February 2 2009

Brooklyn, NY

My parents are compulsive hoarders. While of course this has caused many problems over the years, I must say that the frugality that often accompanies the disorder does come in handy in a recession.
I was taught from an early age that "rainy days" were not only possible, but inevitable. So when I got laid off (I work in nonprofit-- often the less visible industrial victim in a poor economy), I was not as worried as many of my peers in the same position because I had adequate savings. And due to their own saving I am not as worried about my parents' ability to pay for care as they age-- I worry that they may be injured by the junk they have piled in their home, but that's another story...
Maybe an indicator of "interesting" times is when behaviors that are often considered dysfunctional actually begin to seem somewhat reasonable.

Uptick of homelessness

Story submitted by: Frank

Monday, February 2 2009

Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue -74th Street Station

There is a sudden uptick of homelessness especially visible at the Jackson Heights 74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue subway station. We had one resident homeless guy who I think we were all very tolerant of but recently that number has risen close to double digits.

Health Insurance

Story submitted by: Charles Harris MD

Monday, February 2 2009

15 Highland Av

My story is that I have been an MD for 63 years, and wrote columns for Odean County Observer for 20 years. So having time to think, here's my story: a cure for health care.

A Public system restricted to primary care only would:
Decongest ER's
Insure 47 Million immediately for primary care
Cut health care costs for families and enterprise
Employ 1 million people

Theater / Restaurants

Story submitted by: Glenn

Monday, February 2 2009

50th and Broadway, nyc 49th St. and 8th Avenue, nyc

Fri Night 1/30 Mama Mia was packed but was able to get somewhat decent, but not that great seats discounted tickets 2 days in advance.

An expensive restaurant in the theater district was pretty busy also

Space on the subway

Story submitted by: Andrew

Monday, February 2 2009

wall street station

For the first time in 4 years working downtown, I got a seat on a brooklyn bound 2-3 train boarding at the Wall Street station.

No holiday, no bad weather. Just fewer people.

Recession Hour

Story submitted by: Babs

Monday, February 2 2009

Grand Avenue and Lafayette Avenue Brooklyn, NY

A bar in my neighborhood (Clinton Hill) has changed happy hour to recession hour and extended the 'hour.'

Rent

Story submitted by: Randall Edwards

Monday, February 2 2009

Today, a single spaced, nondescript piece of paper appeared under my door. It was from my landlord, stating that they had newly renovated 1 bedroom apartments in my building at my rent. This means that either my rent will go down, or I'll be getting a newly renovated apartment. It's not much, but at least some people won't be squeezed of every penny at the end of the month.

The Bagel Index

Story submitted by: Joe Corrao

Monday, February 2 2009

Court Street Brooklyn

The Local Court St bagel shop I frequent, now sells out of the "day old' stuff, when before they seemed to have a few bags they had to eventually toss. I guess people have swallowed their pride and realized a day old NY bagel is better than 99% of the bagels in the rst of the world...toasted they are awesome still.

Coupon Clipping Frenzy

Story submitted by: Rachelle Street

Monday, February 2 2009

My 2009 resolution is to pay off my credit card bill. Since the start of the year, I've become obsessed with coupons. I spend hours every week searching for coupons on the internet, have signed up for all sorts of product groups, and don't automatically throw away the advertising papers that arrive in my mailbox. Just this weekend I stocked up on some essentials at Walgreens and saved 50% by using coupons in in-store discounts.

A Nickle's Worth of Luck

Story submitted by: Mark Kalan

Monday, February 2 2009

We've stopped buying small bottles of water and now return ALL deposit bottles then use the proceeds to buy NYS Lottery tickets but never more than $1/day. A side benefit is that I only have to place recycle at the curb every other week.

My favorite little boutique is closing

Story submitted by: kristen

Monday, February 2 2009

university place

Boutique owner followed me around the store and told me each item I came in proximity to was even lower than 75% marked down.

Uncommon Economic Indicators

Story submitted by: Kristi

Monday, February 2 2009

96 Hackensack Plank Rd. #6

Hi,

I've been listening to your promos for todays show and instantly thought of an "uncommon economic indicator" that I've noticed of late. A SIGNIFICANT reduction of the unsolicited credit card offers that used to clog my mailbox up. This is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

Bucking the Doom & Gloom

Story submitted by: Amanda Joyce

Monday, February 2 2009

400 W. 14th Street New York 10014

In short, I CHOSE to leave a job that I wasn't enjoying. I was not laid off. I had had enough, so I gave a four-week notice and resigned. My last day was the first Monday in January. Since leaving that job I have been doing freelance work, but I scoured Craigslist and Monster for a new full-time opp.

I went on several interviews and actually had my pick from three offers. I start my new job on Thursday! I never went on unemployment, and I am really glad that I took the risk and left a work environment that had become toxic.

Supermarkets not Feeling Economy's Pain

Story submitted by: Annie Shreffler

Sunday, February 1 2009

283 E 204th St Bronx, NY 10467

Foodtown Supermarket in the Bronx

Pay Your Way

Story submitted by: Annie Shreffler

Sunday, February 1 2009

264 East 204th Street Bronx, NY 10458

During a walk around my neighborhood, I noticed that most bodegas and small shops have signs in the windows encouraging shoppers to pay any way they can. Signs say "Pay with Credit or EBT" and "We accept food stamps." This C-Town on 204th St. will even take rolled coins.

Signs at Citigroup

Story submitted by: Melanie

Sunday, February 1 2009

Wall Street

Things are bad at Citigroup... morale is low everywhere but among the lowly regular staff (not traders, not brokers, not analysts) it's almost gallows humor while we wait for the pink slip. When Morgan Stanley bought a chunk of Citigroup last week people at work started calling it Citi Morg. Get it? Sigh... The other new phenomemon is that now there's a line for the microwave in the cafeteria rather than one for the prepared (and overpriced) food.

Wal-Mart of ski vacations

Story submitted by: Niki and Colin

Sunday, February 1 2009

538 Wagner Avenue Flischmanns, NY

Our uncommon economic indicator -

Though we live in Brooklyn, we're having a record year for business at our rental house near Belleayre ski resort, in the Catskills.

We think it's because people are forgoing their expensive trips to ski out west and playing in the snow locally, instead, especially given current gas prices.

We hope the trend continues, because we have exactly one half of one job between us.

Humane prices & care!

Story submitted by: Monika Fabian

Saturday, January 31 2009

306 East 59th Street NY, NY 10022

I just returned from a vet visit at the Humane Society and am completely pleased with the service and cost. Although it took over 3 weeks to get a Saturday appointment and they've started charging $5 extra dollars to the $35 exam fee to have your pet seen on a Sat or Sun, my dog was seen by the vet, administered 3 vaccines (includ. a 3 yr rabies & a 3 yr distemper ones), given a chest x-ray, had a heartworm blood test, given a year's worth heartworm meds, ear wash flush, and 30 days worth of heart medication today. It all took under 2 hours and cost $144. Everyone was kind and accomodating. The vet (Dr. Soeda) was thorough and answered all of my questions. It just goes to show you that good-quality, affordable vet care does exist in this economy.

The Economy is Trucked Up

Story submitted by: Catherine Ryan

Saturday, January 31 2009

Izod Center East Rutherford, NJ

My husband and son got free tickets to the "MonsterJam" Monster truck rally at Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ. and discovered an uncommon sign of the times. The trucks all had evil sounding names: Gravedigger, El Toro Loco, Madusa (CQ), and I'm guessing this was a new addition - "The Broker." As its logo: a skull in a fedora. It was greeted with a mixture of boos and cheers. My son took this picture using my phone just as it entered. It was apparently no match for the others as The Broker went belly up (like the economy) and on its first attempt to jump a pile of cars. Attempts to bail it out and get it restarted were unsuccessful. It could not even drive out of the arena and had to be moved with a giant forklift.

Chinese Deliveries

Story submitted by: John

Saturday, January 31 2009

I have been doing chinese deliveries for a few years now and have noticed recently that my tips have gone up. My average tip used to be around $3, and since last September has climbed to almost $4. Overall volume of deliveries though is slightly down.