How do you figure out what’s happening when you’re new to an area? What are some good ways to get the real story about the economy. How do you find out about the job market and the real estate market?
Well, during my trip to Florida in September 2010, I came across several events that worked quite well in providing lots of inside information about the economic “heartbeat” of the community. Neither of these events were my idea. I would have skipped them altogether if it wasn’t for my wife Marieta. So, the credit goes to her. Once, I discovered how informative these events were, I stopped complaining and started learning.
So, now for the secret to discovering what’s happening in town!
Secret Number 1: Garage Sales (Yes, Garage Sales!)
During our recent visit to Florida, my wife Marieta and I kept seeing “garage sale” signs. And, as we passed each one, Marieta would sing out, “Ooh! Did you see that? A garage sale! Pull over!”
I wasn’t as excited. But, I could only manage to hold off for so long. Next thing you know, the car stopped and we’re at our first garage sale. It was only our first day on the ground and already we were into the garage sale circuit. During our two week stay, this scene would be repeated many times.
But after the first few garage sales, I became a convert. I discovered that the people at garage sales are the experts; experts at what’s going on in town. You want an answer worth having, ask the locals. Where are the locals, at the garage sales. And, if they’re selling, they have to be somewhat nice to you and generally answer any questions you may have. I found the garage sale to be one of the best events for finding out what’s really happening with the economy in west central Florida.
Let me share some economic insights I derived from my garage sale interrogations.
Insight: Jobs are scarce in Citrus County Florida.
Garage Sale Evidence:
“How do you like living in this neigborhood?” I asked the lady holding the garage sale.
“Oh, it’s a great neigborhood. We love living here.” She replied with a tinge of pride. Then, before I could say anything else, she quickly added, “But, there ain’t no jobs. We’ve been looking all over. Nothin. People got to travel all the way up to Ocala to find a job.”
Then her husband (I assume it was her husband) added, “That’s right, no jobs.”
Insight: People are leaving Citrus County to find jobs or better jobs.
Garage Sale Evidence #1:
“Where you moving to?” I asked the lady holding the garage sale. I overheard them talking about moving.
“Tennessee.” She answered.
“Why Tennessee?” I interrogated further.
“Got a great job. Much better than anything around here.” She said with a spring in her step – I mean voice.
Her mother wasn’t as excited as she sat rocking in her chair. “I’m going to miss my grandkids. Ain’t no way I’m going up to that cold country; way too cold for me in Tennessee. I moved down here from Wisconson, no way I’m going back up to the cold! But, I’m sure going to miss my grandkids. Been with them their whole life. It’s going to be hard not having em here.”
Garage Sale Evidence #2
“What a great home!” I said after the agent gave me a tour. We were at a garage sale but the house was for sale too.
“Why on earth are they selling?” I asked the agent.
“They both work for the Sheriff. But, they’ve taken jobs up in North Carolina. They’ll have the same jobs up north but the pay is doubled from what it is here. So, they’re leaving.” She explained.
Secret Number 2: Shopping (Yes, Shopping!)
I’m not into shopping. But, Marieta is. Therefore during our tip to Florida – guess what – we went shopping. Does that surprise anyone?
Again, I wasn’t keen at first, but when I discovered how much I could learn, I was a convert.
On each shopping expedition (and there were lots!), I would talk to the workers. I’d ask questions like, “How did you get into this business?” Or, “How do you like working here?” Then I’d let them talk.
The biggest insight from all my interviews was the following:
Insight: People who have jobs are happy just to have one!
Shopping Evidence:
One older lady working behind the counter at Kmart said it best, “I’m blessed just to have a job. I’ve got friends who’ve been looking for the longest time. Nothin. I’m so happy just to be working.”
Insight: People are hurting for money.
Shopping Evidence:
Talking to young lady at Radio Shack I discovered people are doing it tough. I couldn’t help but notice her eyeglasses only had one supporting arm to her ear. It looked strange. I finally spoke up and said, “When are you going to get your glasses fixed?” I figured she just broke them an hour ago and we’d have a laugh about how it happened and that would be it. Wrong.
“Oh, they’ve been like that for a year. I’m waiting to save up enough money to get them fixed.” She replied in a businesslike manner.
My jaw hit the counter. I couldn’t believe it. I wore glasses for years and having an “arm” missing would be big nuisance! But, she was just plodding along as if it were nothing.
I started thinking to myself, “Hmm, how much could it cost to repair the glasses? At most say, $100 – which seems high! Would it take you a year to save a hundred bucks? I wanted to know more so I asked another question.
“Won’t your health insurance plan pay to get them fixed?” I asked with a spring in my voice. After all, I figured there had to be an easy answer. I felt I was helping. As I stared at here missing glasses “arm”, I just wanted to see it fixed. I couldn’t work out why she would wear them that way. Even when I was a kid, I would at least put tape on the broken arm; I would never go without it; at least not for extended periods. I was perplexed (now you see it doesn’t take much to confuse me!)
“Oh, I don’t have health insurance.” She replied in a very matter of fact manner. Her tone was almost one that told me, “Who can afford health insurance … that’s only for rich people … or people who have big fat government jobs.”
I smiled and paid for my overseas adapter. We had a friendly parting dialog and then I left.
As soon as I got out the door, I wanted to go back in the store and ask her how much it would cost to get the glasses fixed. And, then just give her the money. But, I resisted that urge as it would come across as charity and I got the impression this girl would not have been into that; she would have been insulted.
Most people I talked to came across like that … “Yes times are bad, but we can handle it. We don’t need no charity. We can look after ourselves. We’ll make it. We’ll come back even stronger.”
You gotta love that attitude. Makes you proud to associate with such people. Makes me feel small when I start complaining about little things.
Yes, you can learn a lot from garage sales and shopping; a lot about the “heartbeat” of a community. I know I did.
thanks for another great insight Dave