Another sign of the times

[Coleroo]

That sounds really odd. It is almost always way cheaper to live off campus and prepare your own meals than to live on campus and use the meal plan. I'm not sure how moving into the dorm would save you money.

wouldn't living in a dorm mean for many that student loans would now pay for it all, thus eliminating the need for the student to worry about paying it upfront? That's what I would think of if I were a student - live on campus with student loans, walk to class, and eat bare pickens from what I could find (either purchase in the cafeteria or sandwhich machine).

Plus, most young adults do not have the home skills needed to properly manage their own place and serve up homemade meals - so they wouldn't mentally see this as a huge money saver like those who are already out "living life". Their mentality is a lot different.

[LuxLiving]

Another sign of the times noted here...where usually there were 10 of an item on the shelves at local groceries and Walmarts, there is now 2 or 3. Shelves look much more bare than usual. Gas prices are going back down here so that may change back to a more stuffed shelf scenario, but it was noted by me here in my town and my Mom in hers as well about an hour and a half away.

[Duchesse]

Alot more of my neighbors are gardening.

The sales at the supermarkets are not sales.

And I heard a rooster the other morning.

[momof1in150]

The last two times we took my boys to the movies we expected it to be crowded because it was the 1st Saturday the movie played and it was a matinee. These movies were Wall-E and Star Wars. My DH told me that the theaters were empty. I think this is one area people have cut back or out of their budget.

[disneysteve]

The last two times we took my boys to the movies we expected it to be crowded because it was the 1st Saturday the movie played and it was a matinee. These movies were Wall-E and Star Wars. My DH told me that the theaters were empty. I think this is one area people have cut back or out of their budget.

Although Batman Dark Knight has been shattering records and is on track to become the all-time top grossing movie, so someone is buying tickets.

I think many of these things are very much local phenomenons. Around here, there are 2 major shopping malls and a 3rd huge shopping center that are building non-stop, expanding capacity, adding stores and restaurants. And the parking lots and stores that are open are packed with customers and diners. I really don't see much sign of people cutting back around here.

[Ima saver]

Both of my BIL's are without jobs now. Unfortunately, they were not savers at all, so when workman's comp. runs out, I don't know what they will do.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Jobless, injured, and no savings? Oh, no. Hope they will both recover quickly and completely so that they can get back into the workforce. That could be hard for all the employed parts of the family.