It's getting ugly out there . . .

[Brigid]

as Jack Cafferty would put it. Those whose income depends on commissions, bonuses, tips, and the like are really hurting these days.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-06-01-commission-tips-pay-income_N.htm

[EFerrari]

1. My friend the grocer is now apologizing about every day or so

for something he's had to mark up. And I'm not seeing most of the homeless people that have lived here since I moved in except for two people. It's unlikely that my MIA neighbors are gone because they found housing. :(

[Vickers]

2. I'm seeing more hookers on the way back from work.

(For those in Palm Beach County, this is along Military Trail, just south of the airport.)

Used to be I'd see one or two, now I see maybe 7 or 8.

I ascribe this to the failing economy, as some of these ladies look non-hookerish (sorry, it's not easy to describe), so I think they are getting into the business out of recent fiscal necessity.

:(

[Brigid]

3. Hmmm . . .

this may be a more telling sign than one might think at first glance.