The Coming Con and the Crappy Economy

[caramida]

I've seen and heard of many friends and acquaintances who have been directly hurt by the current mini-Depression, and everyone, it seems is affected in some way. I am curious to understand how much this will affect people when it comes to spending money on luxuries.

Each year, I have the opportunity to catch up with friends at the local gaming conventions. There are three I try to attend each year, on each of the three big 3-day weekends. DunDraCon on President's Day weekend (also it's often on or near Valentine's Day), KublaCon on Memorial Day weekend (which generally conflicts with university graduation and/or miriammiriam's birthday), and Whatever They're Calling It Now on Labor Day weekend. I look forward to each of these (some more, some less, but all are on my calendar one way or another).

Now the economy is tanking. Banks are unwilling to loan money. Employers who wanted those loans are unable to buy/hire/expand/build. Consumers (you and me) have to tighten our belts, which consequently kills sales for stores which cut costs (aka workers) who stop spending... you see where that goes. Heck, you know where that goes. We can see it all around. What I'd like to know, in an admittedly unscientific fashion, is what is the concrete effect this has on people around me.

To that end, here is a poll. I've opened the poll to everyone, and the numbers will be freely available, but only I will see individual answers. I may anonymously re-post responses to the last question.

Please tell me, what are you doing this weekend, and how has the economy affected your plans?

[Poll #1346997]

In general comments, if you care to share outside of the private poll, how is the economy affecting you and yours?

Comments

[miriammiriam.livejournal.com]

well, as you know, the economy has affected both me and darkcryst as we've both been laid off last week. It also seems to just have a whole gloomy air about it in general, which I think is hurting everything more. Hearing about the horrible economy on the news, and just how everyone and their mother is talking about it is sure to cause some extra panic. I've been laid off at nearly every job I've ever worked for, and every time, it sucked, but this time, there's definitely more of an ominous feeling to it.

[sylphslider.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear you both got laid off. I hope you can find jobs quickly.

[miriammiriam.livejournal.com]

thanks...me too! I've been applying to lots of things I feel I'm qualified for...but still no responses :( My husband has had better luck getting interviews though.