Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Still Relevant

I was 'yahooing' myself (don't comment), and I found a snippet of an article I wrote back in my budding journalism days (a.k.a. sophomore year of college).


I wonder if anyone would notice if I performed a quick 'find/replace' of 2002/2008 and reprinted it....

P.S.  Yes, my story has been archived in some database.  You can be supercool and buy it!!


Posted by Jaime at 8:52 PM
Labels: , , , ,

3 comments:

emily said...

Ha. Same mind-track AGAIN!! :)

October 28, 2008 at 9:34 PM
That's Not My Name said...

Here you go, the full article, found via my secret database subscriptions...I didn't realize that Amanda Decker, Freshman in Commerce was such an expert on the economy!! HAHA


It could be a frosty year for the state economy's usual holiday shopping boost.

The University of Illinois Flash Index indicated the state economy dipped during November, which usually marks the start of the holiday season.

The Flash Index of Economic Growth in Illinois was 95.3 in November, which is a decrease from October's index of 95.6, according to Mark Reutter, business editor for the University News Bureau. The Flash Index is not a predictor of sales. It indicates that spending for the state of Illinois has been down for the entire year, and the economy is under pressure.


"The Flash Index is an index of economic activity in the state as shown by tax revenue for all sales," Reutter said.

A Flash Index number above 100 signifies an expected growth in the economy, but a number below 100 indicates a recession. March 2001 was the first time since November 1992 that the Illinois Flash Index fell below 100. It has not exceeded 100 since May 2001.

Some might attribute the economic troubles to Sept. 11, 2001 fallout, but the previous Flash Indexes indicated that the economy was lukewarm even before it, Reutter said.

The Index reading was calculated by University Professor of Economics J. Fred Giertz.

"Although the holiday season does generally boost the economy, I think shoppers are being more frugal this year," said Amanda Decker, freshman in commerce.

"This is the time of year for employment bonuses and raises, yet a lot of employees aren't receiving the same perks they usually do," Decker said. "In order to counteract this, people are keeping their money, even though it would be more beneficial for the economy if they spent it."

Junior economics major Ben Christenson said he was surprised that the economy hasn't been boosted by the Christmas season.

"However, it's consumer spending that drives the economy, and it has been down all year," Christenson said.

Gameday Sports manager Cory Shumard in Champaign's Marketplace Mall said people should keep the year in perspective because of other factors.

"We put our store's sales up against last year's sales. Last year, we went to a Sugar Bowl. Our numbers are down from last year, but we're still meeting our goals," he said.

To help the situation, Shumard said the store brought in new Bears' merchandise -- to appeal to a bigger crowd -- and tried to be more aggressive with sales and discounts. Unlike sales statewide, the store's Christmas season quarter has been busier, Shumard said.

(C) 2002 Daily Illini via U-WIRE

October 29, 2008 at 8:31 AM
Jaime said...

Thanks Ana!

October 29, 2008 at 8:34 AM

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