What retail businesses do you think are probably enjoying more business now than they did before spartaineity became a new national fixation?

My mother is a smoker and she frequents the local tobacco shop and apparently business is booming for them. I’m also spending more money on my trading card games now than I was before. It’s cheaper than doing a lot of stuff and I get some of my money back if I pull a card worth money or if I win something.

I believe Walmart and discount chains are enjoying more business now. I know that our family is only buying food and necessities.

What does “spartaineity” mean? Whatever it does, I am not part of any national fixation, I don’t think?

Like a Spartan, perhaps? I find I have been carrying a spear and shield with me everywhere I go now.

For me, nothing has changed. I am spending my money the exact same way I’ve been spending it for years – cautiously, spending within my means, buying fresh fruit and vegetables and not processed crud, not buying a car every few years, not using makeup or perfume, researching to find the best deal for my purchases, etc.

I haven’t been scared by an expert because I don’t listen to what the experts say. Well, I may listen, but I sure as heck don’t jump at the opportunity to follow their every word. Everyone tends to be an expert about something on some channel or another, and one thing I’ve learned is most people who think they’re experts, and promote themselves as being experts, usually can’t expert their way out of a bag.

Some businesses that will do well in the coming years: second-hand stores of all types (clothes, furniture, books), the movie industry, the homemade industry (or books related to doing things yourself, but not DIY as in “flip this house” – arts and crafts, sewing your own clothes, etc). I’d love to see webzines pick up and start being successful, and some of them will, but the entire web monetization concept will have to be approached in a new way, as web advertisements are trickling up just like regular advertisements are.

This is SPARTA!!!!!
Just kidding ;-)

Movie theaters are crowded. People are escaping reality and also can’t afford to go on as many vacations so they go to the movies.

@judi, i’m sure you’re right – even in the great depression the movie business was booming – people couldn’t afford to do much, but they still needed entertainment!

and this is not retail, but i have recently read that the mental health industry is booming right now b/c of the high levels of anxiety/stress/depression brought on by the state of the economy…

Liquor, Camping, movies, anything to escape the evening news.

Guns too. The local sporting goods store actually ran out of bullets for a while and there are hardly any guns on the shelves.

Groceries for home cooking.

@Judi: That’s kind of a scary thought…

Just heard a story on public radio this morning that auto repair shops are doing brisk business because people who would normally get a new car are holding on to their old car and fixing things they wouldn’t normally shell out for.

@Judi – The gun thing has more to do with Obama being elected than with the economy. Not because there are minions out to assassinate him, but because whenever a Democrat wins the Presidency, no matter HOW pro gun they may say they are, the real gun nuts become convinced that the new President is going to outlaw their guns, and therefore they need to buy it now if they want it at all.

Drugs, liquor and prostitution. When people are depressed they look for an escape. Oops, you said retail.

I’d say fast food. Taco Bell is cheaper than buying food at the grocery store.

I am another one who has not altered my spending. I just bought a 2005 Mini Cooper. Yay me!h

eBay, you can find alot of good deals on eBay, especially baby clothing and believe it or not, baby formula

@dalepetrie — it’s true about gun sales shooting up (NPI) when any Democrat is elected, but this one and the people he’s appointing to key positions are avowed gun control freaks. The only victims they stand up for are victims of poverty, and even those folks don’t get any help defending themselves, their loved ones and their property.

That’s one reason why guns and ammo are flying off the shelves, but a vague and generalized fear of imminent martial law may also be helping. Those detention centers Halliburton has built all over the country will hold lots more than just illegals, thanks to two “Homeland Security” laws enacted last year. And all the “Martial Law Practice” runs being held in small towns coast to coast aren’t helping — nor is the 20,000-troop division Congress just assigned “to keep order in case of civil disturbances” inside our borders.

@tinyfaery, I need the location of your Taco Bell!

I live in CA and think about doing some gun training for myself and getting a gun. Our state government is in the hole and are looking at cutting back so much, that I can’t help but think things are going to get alot worse before they get better. A few days ago, a woman was walking out of Babies ‘r Us and was putting her baby in the car when a man came and held her at gunpoint, made her drive to an ATM and get money out and then took her to a school parking lot and raped her in front of her 11 month child before running away. That happened in broad daylight, I think around 2pm. That’s stinking scary and I think it’s going to get worse, so I think about carrying a concealed weapon…not because we have a democratic president, but because the more people who keep losing jobs, the worse it’s going to become.

I heard recently that Dollar General and Family Dollar are kicking some serious butt right now.

@miasmom, these types of crimes happen whether we are in a recession or in boom times. While I am saddened by the story you shared, I am very concerned by the thought of more armed citizens.

@SuperMouse They do happen regardless of the time, but if the government cuts back on money to prevent crimes, police force, etc, then there will be more of those types of crime, I think, and if more people don’t have money, they will resort to more drastic measures unfortunately.

@miasmom ; I wonder if you communicate on any chat boards with my daughter. She has little kids and their all talking about that rape here in Bakersfield.

@miasmom — “if the government cuts back on money to prevent crimes, police force, etc, then there will be more of those types of crime.”

I don’t agree, but super-arming or -funding the cops is a whole ‘nother question. The government can’t and doesn’t prevent crime. All they can afford to do is try to track down the criminals, who far outnumber them.

In other words, they can try to solve your murder, but only you can prevent it.

I think people are buying more guns, legally, because it’s still possible. I’m tickled, because in every single state in which concealed carry has been passed, crime has gone down. Not one exception. And in every place where guns are banned, criminals have treated it like a target-rich environment. No exceptions. Laws don’t reduce crime, and disarmed victims only encourage it. Become an armed, trained non-victim now, I implore you.

And buy American! :)