"We used to wait longer to get our price, " says Earnest, 65.

FORBES: 2004 Fund Survey

"We used to think, 'let's wait' even though we wanted to buy, " says one shopper, carrying a bag from Louis Vuitton.

CNN: Hit by disaster, Japanese city sees spending soar

That economic emergency, as I -- the example I used with Mark -- maybe we should just wait to patch the roof, even though it rains.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing