How do You Feel About the Economy Since the Election?

The other day, I was thinking about my business. I'm in So Cal, so I don't know if this is going on in the rest of the country (or in other parts of the world), but I've noticed a feeling of optimism since the election. Here's what I've seen.

1. My business is booming. I'm as busy as I was pre-recession. This is the first time since the recession that I've been constantly busy for longer than a couple weeks straight.

2. Restaurants are busy. Pre-election, we had dinner at a local mid priced Italian restaurant. There were maybe three to four other parties in the restaurant. A couple weeks ago, we went by the same place and there was a waiting list.

3. It seems like people are much less price sensitive. People are buying nicer cars and they're not flinching at the price. They will pay more to get what they want. Pre election, many people were buying the cheapest version of the car.

4. Higher end restaurants are busy. We had dinner at a pricey steak house ($150/couple) and it was nearly full. It's a large restaurant, so having a couple empty tables is pretty impressive. Pre election, we ate at another nice steak house and it was less than 1/3 full.

5. We had to buy some toys this Christmas. We shopped late and on Christmas Eve, we went to a Target store in a middle class neighborhood. The toy shelves had lots and lots of empty spaces.

6. Last week, I was at work and I had to visit a client and take the train back. It was chilly out and I didn't bring a coat, so I stopped by the store and purchased one. The store was busy and most people were buying things. This was a mid to high priced store. Pre election, I could go into the store and get immediate help.

7. A couple weeks ago, I had to buy a computer for my office. I just hired someone and I had to get another computer - I went to Best Buy and they were too busy helping others and I didn't have time to wait, so I left and ordered the computer on line with a will call pick up. In December, I bought a new TV for the condo. The store was very busy and there were lots of people buying mid-high ticket items. Last year, I bought a couple gifts at Best Buy and there weren't many customers.

8. Last Tuesday, I went to Pizza Rev for dinner - I love the place! I walked in and walked out. There was no place to sit and the line to order was too long. I went next door to grab a burger - it was busy there too!

9. Pre election, Pizza Rev had at most 1/4 of the tables in use. There also was never a line waiting to order. Same with Hook Burger, Pre election, I never worried about finding a table.

10. The stock market is up and is breaking new highs.

11. I met one of my clients at his house last week. They're doing a complete remodel on their kitchen - the old one looked okay to me (honey granite counters, whtie cabinets with soft closures, deep stainless sink with nice pull down sprayer faucet, etc. The remodel isn't necessary; they're doing it, because of a change in taste.

My guess is that people are feeling better about the economy, since the election. If this is true, then people must feel good about our new President and they believe in what he's doing.

If this is true, I find it very interesting how many people won't outwardly show support for him, but they will privately support him and they are spending more and aren't as price sensitive.

I also believe that most of us here are in pretty good financial positions (engineers get paid well and live a fairly comfortable life). Engineers also have much better job security than other fields.

And no, I do not work in the engineering field, though I did earn a BS/EE as my undergraduate degree.