Love shopping local, so sorry we've lost so many retail stores to corporations.

Paula, I'm not a mall fan, either. I'd much rather stroll a street and walk into shops, each one different in architecture and style (meaning each HAS architecture and style). There's one shop in town that I frequent. Her prices are more than I normally spend on clothing, but I'm hell bent on helping keep her open, so I pay.

What a nightmare! I guess government "rules" that are meant to deter theft just screw up everyone.

Sorry about his IRS issues. I remember my siblings "owing" the government for receiving some of Mom's death benefits (through the Social Security office) when they took a semester or two off college. Dad finally told them not to cash any checks they received when they weren't in school; when the government demanded repayment plus interest, they just returned the checks and avoided the interest. By the time I was old enough to get the death benefits the rules were changed, making me ineligible because I was 18 but not full-time college student when the new rules were inacted…didn't matter that I was still in high school. (Yeah, still a sore spot. Stupid legislators.) In short: When paperwork and rules are so confusing that even the entity that created them can't keep track of things, additional errors will probably arise. If he gets any more checks he should just hold onto them until the matter is finally settled.

I've also noticed that the food service industry seems to be fairing pretty well. As you mentioned, it's an affordable way to treat yourself. With a family of 6, we've drastically cut back on eating out so it's a real treat when we do (although sometimes my husband and I sneak away to a favorite restaurant for impromtu lunch dates during the week while the kids are in school (after all the lunch menu is generally cheaper!). 😉

I think you've hit it. People are tired of seeing their hard-earned money go to greedy CEOs and special interests who have no interest in any economy but their own bank accounts.

Eileen, I think food service is doing well. My daughter made a ton of money at her waitress gig over the weekend. To me, eating out is an inexpensive treat compared to a mall shopping extravaganza (which someday I will make, I swear!). Our locals are getting much more of my business. Maybe they fair better because they don't have greedy CEOs keeping the lion's share while laying off workers and closing stores?

I think my part of the country has had a bit of a buffer from the recession. When you still have to wait 30 minutes for a table at Red Lobster on a Monday night, you can't convince me that the locals are feeling the pinch.