Wow!  I am constantly exasperated by the number of stores that are closing in our area.  Every time I go to the mall, I notice more "brand name" stores pulling out of our area.  With prices so high, I hear about consumers not being able to spend as much money as they could a couple of years ago.  It boggles my mind when I look on MSN news only to see our president insisting that we are NOT in a recession.  When I look around, everything I see counters that statement.  I truly believe we are in a mild recession, and it could potentially get worse.  These are the stores that I have noticed have closed around here:

Comp USA, Kay Bee Toys, Disney store, Rack Room Shoes, and at least 3 or 4 other small stores in our mall.

What have all of you noticed? 

I have also noticed how much the price of food has gone up.  2 years ago I could buy diapers and 1 weeks worth of food for $50-60.  Now, for the same stuff, I spend about $80-90.  It's crazy.  I am finding myself trying to buy and budget for a month's food so that I can save money. 

Any helpful ideas on that would be wonderfully welcome.

TA-TA!