This Is My Greatest Personal Indicator That The Middle Class Is Being Squeezed.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

I think the majority of us, even RW'ers who say otherwise but internally agree, would acknowledge that we just don't have as much discretionary income as we used to or need to cut corners wherever we can.

Having that said, early last week I began to notice something that seemed to truly lend credence to the above reality. I started to notice that houses that had Christmas lights up were shutting them off (probably via timer, of course) far earlier than they used to. I used to easily seem them on until Midnight or so, but nowadays I see many houses turned off much earlier. As I paid attention more, it became more apparent. As it became more apparent, I began to ask around to see if other people were noticing it. It appears some have. So I'm curious if any of you, after being made aware to look, will notice the same. How is it in your community? Are you noticing houses with Christmas lights turning them off earlier than they ever used to in an effort to control their electric bill?

Maybe it's just coincidence in my immediate area. But maybe it's a real life in your face indicator of needing to budget tightly. Just curious what you all are noticing.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. I've also noticed fewer lighted decorations on many homes around me

My own are on a timer that goes off two hours earlier than last year for economic reasons. My neighbors leave theirs on for an hour after mine go off. We both used to have more lights and set the timers for 12 midnight in the past.

[Frustratedlady]

2. I got my utility bill, today.....

and our weather has been warmer than usual...the furnace isn't running much at all, as I'm keeping it under 65 degrees. The bill was over $300. I will shudder when it actually gets below zero.

Are the Dems going to investigate those prices, too?

[xxqqqzme]

3. I have noticed more lights going off earlier

in my neighborhood. My next door & across the street neighbor have their lights on a timer as we do this year. I have also been gradually changing over to LED lights the last few years. Buy them on sale after the holidays.

[sandnsea]

4. Yes to all of the above

Fewer people with lights, they put them up later this year, and are letting them run fewer hours. I always turned mine off at 10:00 though, I feel guilty enough about using unnecessary electricty. (You wouldn't know it by seeing all the lights on IN my house) It could be that too, people wanting to be more responsible with our limited resources. At least we can hope.

If you're looking for an indicator though, Santa was at the local box today and tomorrow only. After making careful plans to avoid the place during the 2 hour period, I ended up running in anyway. I thought it would be a mad house of kids - but no, hardly any at all. It was a little busier, but not much more than a typical 5:00 rush. I've noticed that every time I've gone shopping, nowhere near the people as other years.

On Edit:

And sometimes you really don't want the neighbors to put up lights. Across the street I get to see blue icicle lights, green driveway, multi-color on one window, purple on another, and red on another. WTF??