Retail Sales: Larger-Than-Expected Fall

[SheBop]

"The June decline was the largest since a matching 1.1 percent drop in February 2003. Stripping out a large decline in auto sales, retail purchases fell a smaller 0.2 percent. Both measures were weaker than anticipated by Wall Street economists who had projected a smaller 0.6 percent fall overall and a 0.2 percent rise in sales aside from autos."


"Minneapolis-based discount retailer Target Corp. (NYSE:TGT - news) also said it expected July sales at its namesake stores to rise by a scant 1 percent to 2 percent. Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT - news), the world's largest retailer, said it was expecting a 2 percent to 4 percent gain in sales, but cautioned that high gasoline prices continue to drag on consumer spending."


The above 2 excerpts are from a 'Breaking News Alert' now 6 minutes old:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=749&e=1&u=/nm/20040714/bs_nm/economy_retail_dc

[Mari333]

1. This household will buy nothing.

We can barely afford the occassional trip in the car , let alone the little runs to Save a Lot to buy cheap groceries. I kept my crockpot so when I cook, cheaper then gas. Winter gas bills , people KNOW how high they will be. Ergo, no buying anything at all.
Still have socks for winter, still have winter coats, still have shovel, will put plastic on all the windows and use fireplace.
Closing up all rooms in home cept for 4 downstairs.
Live cheap, its easy. Dont buy from Wal Mart if possible. Use Dollar stores or buy at 2nd hand stores for clothes. Hang clothes on line , even line inside home for moisture this winter. Makes for good breathing air.
Every drop of gas you use is the blood of some dead civilian or soldier.
It feels good to know you are not contributing to US corporations and their whorish behaviours that start wars so they can fill their bank accounts.
Dont give them a thing, if you can. Barter, live cheap, and thumb your nose at the corporations.
Feels real good, and is cheap as hell to live.
They outsourced, they screwed the US with their fake war policies and greed..now it's time to pay them back.
Give them
Nothing.

[Warpy]

2. There is one thing most families need to buy

A cookbook, a good general one, papaerback is fine. Not using processed and fast foods will save a bundle and a half. The kids will stop bitching about it eventually.

The only thing I buy new is food. I know where every thrift shop and consignment shop in town is, in case something breaks. I've got a stash of fabric bought during the Clinton years, and I'm making clothes to replace what's worn out. I've walked through a pair of running shoes, but I did have a spare.

I've been on a buying strike since the USSC appointed Bush. I'll be on it until tha man is GONE.

[wicket]

3. It's so frustrating

We're barely getting by. There are so many things we need but are just unable to make any big purchases.

Also, instead of Walmart I suggest Target, they have great prices and the quality of goods is much better. I know that Target are no saints, but they definitely treat their employees and the surrounding towns much better than Walmart does.

We desperately need a new bed, anyone know where we can get one cheap?? We've been sleeping on a futon for the past few years and we're paying for it in our backs.

[Malva Zebrina]

9. I don't know where you live, but there is a publication here in Maine

called Uncle Henrys. One great big classified. I see it now is on the web also. I don't know if it is any cheaper--it used to be years ago when I bought something there.

http://www.unclehenrys.com/

People also may want to consider bartering. That is another way to save--and meet new friends also. Community gardens -- pressure your town to let a group grow gardens on any of it's properties. If you own property, grow something on it , learn to dry, freeze or can for the winter and save cooking scraps for a compost pile and use as fertilizer instead of buying from the agricorps. I made sixty dollars last year selling pumpkins, in front of my house. They were 5-8 dollars apiece at the local supermarket and that is a high price to pay just to cut it into a face and then throw it out.Don't cut up a pumpkin for halloween or thanksgiving. Cut out eyes and such from paper, paint and paste it to the pumpkin. After it is used as a decoration,cook it (I cut it into quarters and use the microwave to cook it) cut it up and eat it, or freeze it for eating or any other--pies, cookies muffins etc.. They are easy to grow. And you can also dry and salt the seeds for snacks--Put em in the sun, then spread on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt and bake em around 400 for about ten minutes. If you know other gardeners you can agree to exchange items with them--trade some of your tomatoes for some of their peppers--etc.

[Deja Q]

17. Assuming you can get employed there.

I couldn't. Didn't pass their personality profile test. Apparently their computer knows more about me than the people who I've worked with for seven and a half years.

:shrug:

[Coventina]

4. I've downsized drastically

Not as much as you have, though!

I've learned that most of the purchases I'd been making just weren't needed.

You've inspired me to see if there is more I can do in this area, though.
Thanks!

[loftycity]

5. Right on Mari333, Give them nothing

Live Cheap and love it. It is the only way!

[ronatchig]

7. We're with ya,

as much as possible Mari, I am at the point that the main corp. product I use is electrical, gasoline(less than 15 gal per month) and this Internet link) When I shop, it is a locally owned store only IE groceries, clothing, hardware. No Walmart Kmart or any other corporate fronts. I am actively working on getting off the grid and becoming a net producer of food.

It takes a great deal of thought to remove corps from one's financial world and for some it may be impossible but it is the single best attack on the corporate state we find ourselves in.
I believe a national strike as in do it yourselves for a while will go a long way in driving these evil goons from our lives.

[InkAddict]

8. I think they forgot to factor in

that for everyone that doesn't have an income from employment, a family member or friend may be coughing up $$ to feed, house, or pay for the medicines, transportation, utilities of those out of work long-term. Therefore, those family and friends have also put off buying new cars, furniture, vacations, etc. I know around here, for the absence of one person's job loss of two years, five others have been left holding the bag and can't help "sustain" the crocked up "recovery". Honestly, BushCo doesn't think any farther than their coked up noses and practice fuzzy math to boot (rhymes w/toot). I hope it's salvageable. John-John certainly have their work cut out for them and admire them so for taking a stab at it. BTW, happy Bastille Day!

[SheBop]

10. Forgot?

I'd say you are being too, too kind.

BTW, Happy Bastille Day to all!

[GoodSpud]

12. Also look into freecycling

I don't know if this is available everywhere but it IS a fine way to stay out of the money economy.

Check out:
http://www.freecycle.org/

T.D.P.

[duvinnie]

15. I like your ideas Mari

I'm using many of them (Dollar Tree and FoodMax for basics, thrift for clothes, keeping vacation short and nearby, grow some of my own food). And yes, NEVER shop Walmart though it is the only dept store within 10 miles of me.

Other ideas
- cold water for washer
- energy saver cycle for dwasher
- dont use running water to scrub dishes
- use the train to commute
- repair and reuse appliances/furniture

Still have a long way to go but its a start, its fulfilling in
its own right - feel like a 21st century hippie!

[lottie244]

6. Notice that Headline...see how the media does it?

The words 'larger than expected' convey the message they want readers to get no matter what the substance of the article says. It's a neat trick. Like "huge rebound" in deficit.

[SheBop]

11. Whaaaaaaaaaa???

<sarcasm font on> But, the media is so liberal <sarcasm font off>

[ugarte]

13. I went shopping for a car last week, but then I thought...

why help the Bush economy? I'll wait till Kerry's President.

[bemildred]

14. You don't suppose this is part of the reason for the "unexpected drop"

in the current account deficit?

[Deja Q]

16. Well Wal-mart CEO, invest your wealth into a replacement for oil...

Or remain greedy and do nothing, you sick fucker.

"...Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, said it was expecting a 2 percent to 4 percent gain in sales, but cautioned that high gasoline prices continue to drag on consumer spending."