Slightly less hot today, but clearing with less chance of rain.
Kids start a full day of normal classes today.
After the late start yesterday, I got some stuff picked up. Went by the Habitat reStore looking for stuff for the BOL. The southside store used to have a great selection of doors, but they were pretty much all gone. Their tile selection was meager too, and it used to be extensive. Most of what they had appeared to be from a closed Ace Hardware. The whole reStore system is dependent on donations, and it looked a bit sparse the last couple of visits. Could be there is less slack in the system, could be people are being more careful so they don’t have excess to dispose of, or it could be people are buying the store out…
The thrift stores are looking a bit sparse too. And I noticed a couple of closed strip joints, and in my neighborhood, a closed pawn shop. I think things are probably worse than they look economically. The closed auto dealerships and especially the little used car lots are another bad sign. Even one of the big Ford dealers is still spreading cars and trucks out to fill the lot.
Today I’ve got fence to fix at the rent house, and a few more plumbing items to find for the BOL. I’ve got stuff in deep storage that I need for there as well, including the pex compression tools I bought years ago, well in advance of need. Later I need to get to the bank and have my septic permit application notarized so I can get it to my contractor this weekend. Septic is the only thing you need a permit and inspection for at my BOL. While that might make some things easier, remember that the inspection is to protect you, the building owner. It’s another set of eyes to make sure your contractor is doing the work to minimum standards.
I did notice that Lowes had 2×4 studs for just under $5, which is down from just under $8 not too long ago. The reported record number of home buyers walking away from their contracts and the slowdown in home sales might be contributing to that. Make of it what you will, but rising home prices make people feel good (owners and sellers) while falling prices make them nervous. Some price lowering in general should help with inflation, but if it is really the beginning of deflation in the non-core sector, then bad times are right around the corner. I mean, worse times. Given the recent increase in crime and violence, and in costs, I’d say we are already in bad times.
There is still food in the store and stuff to buy, and generally if you want to work you can. That can change, and if it does it will change rapidly. Preps are a cushion against rapid change, especially when it’s for the worse.
So stack it up.
nick