The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Julie and I were driving home after morning target practice when we stopped at the shopping center in Corte Madera to run some errands.
The parking lot was half empty. Stores were not busy, and people at the cash registers were buying one or two items. I had expected a madhouse, but I had never seen this shopping center so quiet. The change in buying habits that Julie has dubbed the "New Frugality" seemed to be hitting home.
We made our purchases and drove back across the Golden Gate Bridge. Turning right and driving past the cliffs toward Baker Beach, we saw ... cars and people everywhere! They were walking, driving, riding bicycles, going to the museum or the beach, walking on the trails - thousands of people enjoying a beautiful day outdoors.
This may turn out to be the first recession ever to be good for people's health.
