Clueless

From: The working poor must stretch paychecks to the breaking point

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
Associated Press


"While economists debate whether the country is headed for a recession, some say the financial stress is already the worst since the last downturn at the start of this decade.

"From Family Dollar to Wal-Mart, merchants have adjusted their product mix and pricing accordingly. Sales data show a marked and more prolonged drop in spending in the days before shoppers get their paychecks, when they buy only the barest essentials before splurging around payday.

"It seems like to us, customers are running out of food products, paper towels sooner in the month," said Kiley Rawlins, a spokeswoman at Family Dollar.

"Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, said the imbalance in spending before and after payday in July was the biggest it has ever seen, though the drop-off wasn't as steep in August.

"And 7-Eleven says its grocery sales have jumped 12-13 percent over the past year, compared with only slight increases for non-necessities like gloves and toys.

"Shoppers can't afford to load up at the supermarket and are going to the most convenient places to buy emergency food items like milk and eggs."

-More evidence of republican inequality in prosperity, or R.I.P.