There has been a lot of talk on the blogs about the direction the economy is going. Lines at the scrap heap as mentioned in the SA blog is so true. But another indicator at least in the Southern CA area) is the lines at the 99 cent store. The 99 cent store sells liquidated items, etc. from other stores in multiples of 99 cents (1 fer, 2 fer, etc). Product offerings in the past year or so have gone more mainstream (name-brand) and fresh/frozen food offerings have also increased. I am careful what I buy there -- since I coupon, Vons and Ralphs can be cheaper on sale and with double couponing. I just left the 99 cent store and purchased Farmer John liverwurst that is at least $1.99 at Vons or Ralphs when on sale. Other items purchased were coleslaw mix; lettuce hearts, Nabisco 100 calorie snack packs, a bunch of Dole bananas (currently 69 cents/lb at the market), and some Stouffers panini sandwiches (for lunch at work). The lines were very, very, long. Many folk had full carts, expecially with foodstuffs. It seemed like deja vu with Costco - only perhaps at the opposite end of the economic spectrum. The store is in a so-so area with a delapidated parking lot. The lot was full and I also spotted many people walking in the area with marked bags.