While the housing market crashed a couple of years ago – and the blame was shared by many – my personal belief is that the full depression recession began when gas prices jumped to over $4 p/gallon in middle America.

Relief (for now) seems to be in sight.  According to MSNBC.com, the Labor Department is reporting a fall in food prices.  Additionally, gas prices are coming down according to AAA.

Lower food and gas prices “should provide some near-term relief,” Vitner said, “but a sustainable pickup in spending will not likely occur until job growth picks up and the unemployment rate falls.”

There were some encouraging signs that hiring could pick up in the second half of the year.

An eternal optimist, I shall remain hopeful the economists are right!