<p>Went grocery shopping and the malls were like they were pre-holiday.</p>
<p>Only reason I can think of is that temps were in the mid-40s - very warm weather.</p>
<p>There are a bunch of economic headwinds in the next few months and the political situation is very muddy so I guess volatility should be expected.</p>
<p>NewHope,</p>
<p>My personal circumstances are that I am afraid I will be unemployed for the rest of my life. Will this bad economy go on forever and ever and ever and ever and ever?</p>
<p>My husband has been unemployed for 18 months, and is trying (at the age of 39) to join the Army. But they’re so booked up with recruits that they haven’t even been able to give him a training slot yet–and they’ve told him his ship date is likely to be at least August or September. Which probably won’t be soon enough to save our house.</p>
<p>So no, it isn’t looking any better yet to me.</p>
<p>I’m sorry for those circumstances, lunitari. I have recently been sending care packages to troops in Afghanistan and after reading their requests for supplies, I have renewed and greater respect for our military.</p>
<p>Our CPA told us that 75% of his small business clients have closed or will soon. He has to be careful about getting paid for his work as he helps the businesses close.</p>
<p>My H is a small business owner and his business is one quarter of what it was three years ago, as is his salary.</p>
<p>I do not think things will improve for at least a couple of years.</p>
<p>Small business owner here. Down 30 percent in 2009 from 2008. Expecting to be done at least another 40 percent this year. Agree with bookiemom.
What’s happening with real estate and investment stuff in NYC is a long way from the average guy.</p>
<p>another small-business owner here, with plenty of ‘business’ and plenty of receivables. Whereas, in the go-go years, I worked the work in front of me, now I have to work the work already done to get paid - make phone calls, get involved with collection process. Almost all of those I speak with are in a similar position - There are services needed, and people to perform them, but the ‘little guy’ is having trouble getting paid; even when he works for Mr. or Ms. Wall Street, the people with the bonus monies, the workers in service economies are waiting for payment or being asked to discount the bill. Sorry, but I see little recovery here…</p>
<p>BA - I came out of school during the mid-70’s recession. I took the work I could find (which was not in the area of my training) and went on from there. It worked out OK. Good luck with your own journey.</p>