I don't know if our country's economy is in a recession, but I know my family's economy sure as hell is. Also, I've never seen so many houses for sale in my neighborhood. I didn't think we had the housing issue in Pittsburgh like on the west coast etc.

We actually did this test. We made a shopping list last month, went shopping and spent $87.16. We went shopping last week and used the same shopping list exactly. Cost $116.97. That's almost a $30.00 difference at the same store for the same products. Granted there are many factors that could cause that but overall it is still a $30.00 increase in our expenditure. Combined with gas, utility bills etc. We have no plans to travel, spend extra etc. We are doing pretty good and not hurting but don't want to find ourselves hurting either.