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Is the economy messing with your mongering?
https://forum.costaricaticas.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=23030		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Pacifica55 [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:17 am ]
Post subject:  Is the economy messing with your mongering?
In the last month, I have had several friends who were planning to make a trip to CR cancel. They cited the economy as the reason.

So I am wondering, has the US downturn effected your mongering? How?
Author:  Mia2Ewr [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:02 am ]
Post subject: 
After an evening at the gentlemen's club with The Clam and Phoenix Rising Saturday night, I picked up a copy of Excitement magazine on my way out. Yesterday I was thumbing through the magazine and looking for places close to home I could go for a "massage." On the way for afternoon cocktails I drove by the closest "MP" but it looked closed. No cars, no signs of life, nothing. I got home about an hour or two later and called the MP I had driven by. Maybe it was closed? A man answered the phone. I asked about their operating hours and he told me on Sunday there were open 12-8 p.m., but he had reservations through 9 p.m. As such, I would have to try back tomorrow.
I found another place to take my $ but at the time it dawned on me that the economy in S. Fla. can't be that bad if the MP's are booked solid.
Author:  Zebra [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:31 am ]
Post subject: 
Without a doubt, this will become more of a "hotbutton issue" for us. I had mentioned the same thing in a post a month or so ago. Personally, I think it has to have an effect on CR mongering....with so many older mongers depending on bank CD interest, stock market investments, home values, etc. While the situation is predicted to improve in the second half of 2008 [indeed, we are now seeing some life in the stock market] for the moment, the economy has taken a serious blow. Just this past Friday night, I went to a favorite eatery of mine [a typical chain, buffet type place]. I went at the same time I always go.....there was about one third the people in the restaurant as there usually is. They say the restaurant industry always takes the beating first in a bad economy.

Hopefully , the economy will turn around in the second half of 2008.....Let's hope so.

Zebra
Author:  Diablo [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
From the other side of the coin, my colombiana rent-a-novia for three years has just sent me her first RFM. I asked what's up with that, since the second time that I enjoyed her services, I told her that I never send $$ to chicas. Her response was that there doesn't seem to be as many gringos available for her, as she only "worked" once in April-altho she was, actually, going to work more often. I believe her that she hasn't been making as much $$, and told her that she has not, all of a sudden, become fea, but that it is the US economy which is having world wide effects . Naturally, I also told her to consider availing herself to ticos, nicas, chinos, etc---apparently, not well received. Anyway, it is not really my problemo, other than I invited her to Cartegena next month, and if I don't send money, she will not be able to come, and I will have to make new friends. No problemo
Author:  Crookedcr [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
After five trips to CR in 2007, I had planned on making at least as many in 2008 but have not been back since Dec. The economy has not affected me yet, except to the extent that I'm now more inclined to put fun money in the rainy day fund in the event that the downturn is longer or worse than I expect....The upside is that if/when things turn around - and if this happens soon, I'll have a nice little bundle to blow on more and longer trips.
Author:  Phoenix Rising [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
My recent flights to SJO on both AA and Spirit were half empty, and my amigovia echoes the complaints of Diablo's rent-a-novia. There seems to be a bit of a downturn in the mongering market at the moment. But it is certainly not out for the count by any means. Last Sunday (Apr 20) night around 8 -9pm the HDR was swarming with fresh faces and plenty of potential buyers. Just kinda have to ride it out.

Personally, the economy has not affected my travels, although I happen to be in the very unenvious position of having a house for sale in SOUTH FLORIDA :cry: :cry: :cry: MDE and DR on the immediate menu. Quite frankly, Diamond Dolls is not a substitute...eh, MIA2EWR? :lol:

PXR
Author:  Pacifica55 [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
I made a mid-week round-trip of about 240 miles up and down I-5 last week. It seemed to me that the traffic was very light. Maybe half the cars I normally see on the freeway after I was clear of the metro area. At $4.35 a gallon for diesel, I know my US trips are shorter and cheaper.

Fortunately, it looks like I will be selling my boat for my asking price ($55,000, 23' offshore tank). Several other fairly high dollar accessories also sold quickly...all to fishermen in B.C. where their "dollars" are suddenly worth something. Just wish I could sell them my house... :(

I will monger on...
Author:  Zebra [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
From what I've been reading, the housing market/values in the Pacific Northwest has been holding its own....especially around the Seattle area. You may have better luck selling a house there as opposed to other parts of the country......like in Phoenix Rising's area.
Author:  Puro Party [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
SOFLA home prices like in San Diego, CA. Phoenix etc. became so very very inflated with all the loose money and speculation. I think a lot of that is lost monger money to some but they think it will level out next 6-12 mos. at least. If you bought your home before the upturn and not too much debt on it you will be ok.

Now the real discriminator is the rapidly increasing cost of energy. Higher fuel costs themselves hurt, then the airfares then everything else down the food chain. Basic things (food, makeup, condoms etc.) Anything petroleum based or dependent on transportation. This first sign of inflation I presume is a result of the fuel increases since the beginning of the year. Then when all the current fuel increases kick in and the future increases (they think gas could hit $5-$6/gallon soon in U.S.) we are really going to get hammered.
Author:  Puro Party [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm very glad you sold your boat now P55. The tourist boaters here are getting walloped with the increased diesel costs. They can't go as far and as fast now if people even have the money for that. They have to take them deap sea fishing in the intracoastal for the same cost as last year. What type of deep sea fishing is that?

With increasing fuel costs it will be harder and harder to make a living from boating at least in U.S. anymore.

Has anyone tryed Asian masaje of Hallandale Blvd. east? Looked interesting today but didn't stop in.

To finally answer the question yes in that like others I am squirreling away more $ just in case and looking for opportunities outside south FLA just in case. I work for local Govt. and at first it was our consultants (many) who steadily have been laying off. Now with decreased property tax collection due to foreclosures and decline of gas tax revenue (based on the gallon bought, not the price) could get bad so trying to cut back even more.

Yo tengo mucho miedo ahora.
Author:  DrForm [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have trips booked to Medellin, Monterrey,Costa Rica,Guadalajara,Panama City, and Lima over the next 5 months so it hasn't affected the amount of trips that i'm taking. I do find myself paying more attention to seat sales and hotels prices before making a decision on a particular location.(airline tickets are out of control)
Author:  El Silencioso [ Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
With my 4th trip of '08 coming up shortly., I would have to say no. at least not yet... 8)
Author:  Dapanz1 [ Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yes, it has had implications for me. First, my work is pretty directly tied to the financial markets. Strike one. Second, I had depended heavily on 2 ecommerce website for a great deal of income. One site is completely down and the second is breathing final breathes. The buying has gone away virtually overnight Strike 2. I commute about 50 miles RT to work everday and any entertainment outside of work is the same drive. I drive a gas hog. Currently, gas is probably costing me close to $400/mo. That is just auto fuel. Not counting the absolutely absurd natural gas bill I just got. Strike 3.

On the bright side. I have been squirrelling away FF miles. So, I have 4 freebies on Delta and one on AA. If they ever combine Delta and Northwest, that will be close to adding another freebie on Delta. I was saving for a rainy day. Well....I now have my umbrella in use. It's rainin'.

dapanz1
Author:  Witling [ Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hasn't impacted me YET.

Fortunately my commute is 1.5 miles. I fill up about once a month.
Life is good.

Now as long as they don't outsource my job I'll be doing OK.
Author:  Puro Party [ Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
South Florida update:

Went to Supertarget last night in Royal Palm and the deadest I have ever seen it. Maybe I saw 20 people max. at 8:30P on a Tues. evening in this huge building. One Irish pub near me that use to serve a full food menu and was open for lunch just discontinued all food service and now opens around 4P. I think its' days are numbered. Coming back from FLL on Mon. when at the gas station this poor guy comes around to everyone with his little 1 gallon can asking for just a little. I squirted him a gallon. Much better than getting in a confrontration and almost getting your arm severed off by machete as happened last week in Green Acres.

Also when I fueled me 2nd car yest. noticed one pump only had 1 gal. purchased.
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