Empty Malls as Economic Fears Spread

[RamboLiberal]

Joi Freemont, a dentist in suburban Atlanta, doesn't have to look further than her appointment book to tell that people are worried about money.

Patients who used to get their teeth whitened all the time "now want to think about it a bit," she said. Braces? "People were getting them for the kids, for themselves, but now they're waiting," she added. And when people get cavities, they have their fillings done one a month, not five or six at a time, she said.

As a result, Freemont and her husband are worried their income could drop and are trying to be more prudent with their money. They're monitoring spending more closely and continuing to whittle down their credit card balances and her dental school debt, she said.

"We know how to put the brakes on if we have to," said Freemont, 35.

Across America, there are growing signs that consumers are worried about the weakening economy, which could slip into recession. While some say Americans are not famed for their belt-tightening tactics, there are signs that people are trying to improve their personal balance sheets so they're ready for tougher times.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/IndustryInfo/wireStory?id=4166694

[SpiralHawk]

1. Thanks a pantload, Commander AWOL Bush & republicon cronies

You republicon homelanders have brought this upon America with your greed, arrogance, lies, and incompetence.

[Kindigger]

2. For those who don't know how

to tighten their belts enough, it will fall to people like me to teach the fine art of dumpster diving.

[ursi]

3. ...and people are doing lots of interesting things like defaulting on their credit cards or

cutting back on spending and paying off their credit cards but, no matter what, they have cut back on their spending. Heating costs have jumped, cost for fuel in vehicles, food prices are going up ...what next?

Oh, wait, we still gotta pay taxes for Bushie-Boy to spend shooting ammo into the air ...

[Mythsaje]

4. My wife had to go to the mall the other day

and said it was packed. Why, I'm not sure.

[RamboLiberal]

6. But were they carrying bags?

I remember one retailer saying that to me one time probably during 41's term when Xmas spending was down but the mall was packed. He was bemoaning that while the mall was crowded a lot of people were not carrying bags.

[Mythsaje]

7. I have no idea.

I can't imagine why anyone would go to the mall if they didn't HAVE to, so I'm probably prejudiced.

[Daveparts]

8. Maybe?

they have the heat on at the mall? I used to live in Montgomery Al. in the summertime the malls would fill with those without A/C.

[RamboLiberal]

10. You could have a point

Good place to get your walking in and keep warm. People may be tired of sitting at home all bundled up.

[Pakhet]

11. you're probably right

our heater doesn't work and hasn't for a couple of weeks. thankfully I live in AZ and it doesn't snow, but we've had freezing temps since the heater quit and we've gone to sit someplace warm and drink coffe when we got too cold

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. The first places I've stopped patronizing? Restaurants.

#1 on the don't-go-to list when money is tight.

[Daveparts]

9. Restaurants

Are hurtin for certain, Ihop is in trouble and so is Wendy's as well as the movie theaters. Without the blockbusters shrek 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean ticket sales were flat