Who said our economy is bad?

I believe people are looking at the gas prices going down and thinking everything is fine. But, I'd be cautious about spending too much money and especially running up bills this Christmas. The economy is on shaky ground! And you don't know what the government of the incoming president is going to do. And you don't know if you'll have a job from day to day. But some people may have been saving money all year in order to buy their Christmas gifts. I know I'm one that won't be charging anything!

You have to consider do they have the money on hand or in the bank account or will have the money at the end of the month to pay for the stuff? Many of the buyers will be charging and putting it on their credit card, and they will probably be paying interest for months to come. On the other hand, there are some wise people who have put money aside and have what we called a Christmas fund, and that is the money they will use. There is also the fact, that because you all work hard down in the States and do not have as many holidays as we do here in Canada, that that is the only major day to do your shopping. So the shopping frenzy may be illusionary.

It is the same on this side of the Atlantic. I went last weekend to one of the biggest shopping malls around here it was completely packed. Friday evening is the busiest day and Christmas is not that far after all. It is may the paying system we have here where you get a summer and Christmas bonus. Your yearly salary is divided in 14 parts and in July and December you get double. May be people are already choosing what they will buy next month.

I think people will always buy for Christmas. The question is how much, and what are they buying. Most are buying smaller priced products, and limiting their spending budget. You will always get some who will charge it up, and spend reckless, but not as much this year.

Hi Kowgirl, yep I do think the economy is as bad as it is said to be, but do believe that when there is a chance of a good salle and able to save some money anyone will jump at them, being in the UK there are lots of sales here, and lots of people are buying from them for Christmas not the big shops...littleowl

Well, I say that our economy at this point is like the worst state compared to any other times since the Great Depression in the 1930s. Well I don't really know too much about the unemployment rates compared to a few weeks ago, but I am pretty sure they are still high. Yes, good thing is that the gas prices are getting lower nowadays, but who knows, it might skyrocket once again during our lifetime. Besides, some people who are actually involved in loads of PTC sites probably earned a little extra income there, and go shopping with that amount of income.
I don't know about your area, but in this area where I live (the GHETTO county), I can see many of the plazas or stores and malls are closing. I see that a couple of Circuit City stores are closing as well, and a few other Circuit City stores out there also. Who knows, maybe the whole Circuit City business is closing, or just a few other stores that are doing poorly.
Oh well, now all we can hope for is our newly elected president Obama to do something really smart and bring this country back into the shape it should be in.

Yes I believe the economy is bad like they say, jobs are being lost and banks are closing, how can that be a sign of a strong economy, they are saying this won't turn around until 20010, now how is the economy strong, if you have to wait that long to find a job, I don't understand why people are doing, all this shopping if things are so bad.

Americans are one of the worst countries with a bad economy at the moment Canadians on the other hand are in the medium zone.Gas prices are rapidly dropping as someone said and that is not good at all jobs will be lost.

I do agree with you. There were a lot of people at the mall I was just there to window shop to have the feeling of Christmas and I was amazed how many people were buying things here in California.

Well, I went to Walmart to get my husband a few pairs of much needed jeans. I also got my oldest her supplys for her science project. I basically got what I need to get and got out. Most of the people there were all located in the Electronic and toy sections. Then I went to Kohls to see what I could get my niece for Christmas on the clearance racks. I found a 40 dollar pair of jeans for 14.50, and two 30 dollar blouses for less than 5 bucks. I also picked up 4 toys at really cheap prices like less than 5 bucks. I am shopping smarter and won't use a credit card again. I only have my oldest to shop for, she only wants books or things relating to the Air Force. I got my youngest done when Toys R Us had the toy she wanted on sale with bonus's, I paid that with a gift card I got from the phone company for getting a modem. I haven't decided yet if I will get other family members anything yet. My price limit will be maybe 10 bucks or less. It took me an hour to get from point B to point A of the check out at Kohls. Everything was on sale at really low prices, but I'm cheap as the sky is blue. I got to save even more on things, one reason why I love Kohls.