It's official, the economy is dead!!

[Onebadcad]

Last evening, went out with the wifey and a couple for dinner, decided to eat in our town rather than travel east to the beach; CSprings is not small, current population is 140K, with many good, not great, dining options.

We decided on Bonefish Grill, been there dozens of times, never a bad meal, always great service. So last night it was AT BEST 15% capacity, from 6 PM until we left at 8 PM, very sad, not sure how the owner can make it.
I realize they get more business on Fridays and Saturdays, but I have been to this location many times over the years on a weeknight and you still had to wait to get a table, sometimes a high hat was available, and always a few single seats at the bar could be had. Most of the diners last evening were older, absolutely no families with kids, tells me very few are willing to go out and spend their money, most are afraid of the wolf at the door.

Maybe I am being harsh, but I see this economy not getting any better for at least 18 months. Job numbers are bullshit, specifically unemployment, as it only stays low due to they stopped counting those not pursuing jobs, the real number to focus on is the workforce participation.

I said, to myself, six months ago, this ecomony will crater, workforce participation percentage will continue to decline, housing prices will fall and first-time homebuyers will be gone, new construction will slow way down, the mortgage industry and supporting industries are already gutted, mortgage and rents will go delinquent, GOV will hand out more free shit to blur the facts, gasoline and groceries will not lower, Christmas buying / shopping will hit a decades low, etc...

I believe what you see today will be worse until 2024.
It will take a very strong POTUS in 2024 to fix all things, and if not elected, the country will be lost forever.

[Big bob]

I was dragged out by some friends for the first time since I lost my wife just before the pandemic. They would not let me pay and I cannot believe how much it went up in price.

[Rodnok1]

Major retailers already announced not hiring even close to same amount of seasonal workers this year. I can't recall the % but 50 % or so IIRC.
Businesses are cutting staff left and right. The shit is going to hit the fan soon...

But don't worry the potato in charge will give us all the money we need... No strings attached, well ok maybe just a few liberties and rights but hell it's for our own good.

[Onebadcad]

This may also be a factor:

https://www.usdebtclock.org/

[GTOguy]

Biden says everything is much better than a year ago due to his leadership.

Funny how my 401 and money market accounts and stocks don't seem to reflect that.

The 40% increase in groceries and 75% increase in fuel costs isn't helping my portfolio much, either.

But, Biden says we're in boom times, and he is the President. He also ended the Pandemic last week, and I notified the City of Oakland of that fact, but alas, they still won't allow me to sell my rental house because 'covid emergency'.

The Bidens are a blessed family, though--one dead wife, one drug addict son dead, the other drug addict son partying and having the time of his life, and the senile patriarch, running our country merrily into the ground.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Biden says everything is much better than a year ago due to his leadership.

Funny how my 401 and money market accounts and stocks don't seem to reflect that.

The 40% increase in groceries and 75% increase in fuel costs isn't helping my portfolio much, either.

But, Biden says we're in boom times, and he is the President. He also ended the Pandemic last week, and I notified the City of Oakland of that fact, but alas, they still won't allow me to sell my rental house because 'covid emergency'.

The Bidens are a blessed family, though--one dead wife, one drug addict son dead, the other drug addict son partying and having the time of his life, and the senile patriarch, running our country merrily into the ground.

Damn glad someone else noticed this, as I was beginning to think I was off.
Groceries have increased much more than 8%, 10% or 12% in the past twelve months. I pick up groceries each weekend, the wife does most of the shopping, but I try to help, plus Publix has a nice liquor store next to the grocery store. Everything seems to have doubled in price, well maybe not that much, but it is way more than we are being told, WAY MORE!!

[Egnalf]

Stevie Wonder sits wondering what the hell Biden is thinking economically. Even he can see its a shitshow.

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

Major retailers already announced not hiring even close to same amount of seasonal workers this year. I can't recall the % but 50 % or so IIRC.
Businesses are cutting staff left and right. The shit is going to hit the fan soon...

But don't worry the potato in charge will give us all the money we need... No strings attached, well ok maybe just a few liberties and rights but hell it's for our own good.

.

[Rodnok1]

Wife wanted to retire this year or next.. Ain't happening with how much retirement has lost. Throw on price increases of 30% on everything in last 2 years and we'd be eating ramen only.
Totally ****ed for close to 5 years I'd say.

[Craig]

I’m looking forward to divided government; I think the economy is too.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Onebadcad

Damn glad someone else noticed this, as I was beginning to think I was off.
Groceries have increased much more than 8%, 10% or 12% in the past twelve months. I pick up groceries each weekend, the wife does most of the shopping, but I try to help, plus Publix has a nice liquor store next to the grocery store. Everything seems to have doubled in price, well maybe not that much, but it is way more than we are being told, WAY MORE!!

Yeah, they say 8%, but it's 8% every month. It adds up.

From 2017-2021, I paid about $93 per week for groceries. Since last March, it's been $160-$170 per week with zero changes in my purchases.
That, and fuel here is $5 for regular 10% 87 octane, and diesel is over $6. No way can the economy do well when our leaders have villainized fossil fuels and have crippled the refining industry. No way.

[bsmith]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Yeah, they say 8%, but it's 8% every month. It adds up.

They are under-reporting inflation...absolutely.
But it is NOT 8% every month.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Yeah, they say 8%, but it's 8% every month. It adds up.

From 2017-2021, I paid about $93 per week for groceries. Since last March, it's been $160-$170 per week with zero changes in my purchases.
That, and fuel here is $5 for regular 10% 87 octane, and diesel is over $6. No way can the economy do well when our leaders have villainized fossil fuels and have crippled the refining industry. No way.

their stat of 8.00% is total BS!!
As is their claim that inflation is only 'transitory'.
Accept their claim of transitory for shits and giggles, and then ask how long the transition will be, there will be a mike drop, as they know you figured out their lying.

GOV stats are a manipulation, a shell game, remember almost every time we were given unemployment numbers during the kenyan's second golf tour, the numers WERE ALWAYS adjusted upwards / worse about a week later.

The 8.00% inflation number is ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT, as the things we all must buy ARE NOT WEIGHTED in the math, AND who places these prices into the formula--if you want to manipulate the results, simply manipulate the inputs.

On a bright note, retails sales in both SE and SW Florida are BOOMING today, and will continue to do so thru Wednesday, as we now have a hurricane coming, I may have to hit my Total Wine after I finish on the course today, as I am low, only about 900 bottles of scotch and bourbon, and only about 75 bottles of very most excellent domestic beers, bottles of course, in the outside fridge.

[Frankie the Fink]

The cost of food has risen dramatically - at least in Florida and some of the smaller rrestaurants are hurting. Our local, favorite Mom & Pop spaghetti joint is struggling, the owners are nearly giddy to see us each week and sometimes its only us or 1 or 2 other groups.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

The cost of food has risen dramatically - at least in Florida and some of the smaller rrestaurants are hurting. Our local, favorite Mom & Pop spaghetti joint is struggling, the owners are nearly giddy to see us each week and sometimes its only us or 1 or 2 other groups.

Same here. We go out to several favorite places, and the price of dinner has gone from $12-$18 of a year and a half ago to $20-$32 for the same dishes at the same restaurants. We're still going out because I am now retired and I intend to enjoy myself after a lifetime of hard work, saving, and going without.

[Onebadcad]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

The cost of food has risen dramatically - at least in Florida and some of the smaller rrestaurants are hurting. Our local, favorite Mom & Pop spaghetti joint is struggling, the owners are nearly giddy to see us each week and sometimes its only us or 1 or 2 other groups.

Very said for single-location restaurant owners.
Getting through the fakeassdemic was very tough, and now getting thorugh the socialist economy will be even tougher.

I ate lunch today, at the counter, of a one-location pizza and sub shop, great food, $30 for two steak subs with drinks, not that pricey, but I hope I helped, restaurant was very busy, I think they will make it as I will be back soon.

[Rodnok1]

I'm spending 50% more at least at the grocery store and do not buy alot of items anymore as they are too pricey now. Can't tell you how long since purchased a nice steak to grill. Was a weekly item.
Making my own dog food isn't included. The cost of those ingredients had gone up close to 75% I'd bet.
Chicken was 49 cents a lb now 1.25 or more. Turkey also especially since bird flu, it'll be outrageous this year.
Those ****ing retards in Washington would have looked beyond the end of their noses any sane person could see we would need money over the long run not all at once.
Anyone on fixed income, disability or retired is in deep shit looking forward. Taxes went up due to over inflated house prices and insurance is going up as well. Throw everything together and most people are paying 40% more for same life as just a couple of years ago.

[Tikiman]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

I'm spending 50% more at least at the grocery store and do not buy alot of items anymore as they are too pricey now. Can't tell you how long since purchased a nice steak to grill. Was a weekly item.
Making my own dog food isn't included. The cost of those ingredients had gone up close to 75% I'd bet.
Chicken was 49 cents a lb now 1.25 or more. Turkey also especially since bird flu, it'll be outrageous this year.
Those ****ing retards in Washington would have looked beyond the end of their noses any sane person could see we would need money over the long run not all at once.
Anyone on fixed income, disability or retired is in deep shit looking forward. Taxes went up due to over inflated house prices and insurance is going up as well. Throw everything together and most people are paying 40% more for same life as just a couple of years ago.

And that is absolutely going to kill the entertainment and vacation industries.

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by Tikiman

And that is absolutely going to kill the entertainment and vacation industries.

I live across a lake from Disney and know many workers at the other theme parks, they ain't hurting. Some relatives cane to stay with me and had to wait 70 minutes for some rides and 30 minutes for over-priced sandwiches and that was in the Magic Kingdom.

[Torqaholic]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

...

But don't worry the potato in charge will give us all the money we need... No strings attached, well ok maybe just a few liberties and rights but hell it's for our own good.

I got a treasury check for $2K in the mail yesterday. No idea why. Nothing in the envelope but the check. Haven't heard anything back on my tax refund yet so maybe that? Don't recall how much that was but I do know it didn't balance out to zero. Perhaps related to SS inflation increase? Don't know. Maybe they think I'm an immigrant or they just want to start buying mid-term votes early?