Looking for the Economic Green Shoots

My yard is abloom with spring color. Everywhere I look, I see buds, flowers, green grass and new life. This is a welcome sight following the devastation of last year’s ice storm, which left my area without power for four days and tons of tree limbs down everywhere.

And it’s kind of the same thing with the economy. Sure, unemployment has hit double digits in many metro areas, and layoffs still abound. One economist is saying we haven’t even hit bottom yet. But there are bright spots, which economists are calling green shoots. Here’s a collection of a few I’ve seen lately:

·         We’re Buying Again, Despite Economic Contraction: Specifically, we’re still shelling out for big-ticket items like cars, furniture and appliances. Since consumer spending makes up about 70 percent of the economy, according to the article, that can mean only good news for a rebound -- and jobs.

·         The Housing Market Is Showing Signs of Life: Last month marked the first time in 16 months that housing prices didn’t plunge dramatically. Hey, it’s something, and it’s good news for both those who work in the industry and for homeowners tired of watching the value of their homes sink.

·         Teach for America Applications Are Up, Especially Among Ivy League Grads: Can’t find a job? Go teach. In a staggering statistic, more than 11 percent of Ivy League seniors applied for Teach for America, which sends teachers who’ve signed on for a two-year commitment into urban and rural schools. That’s a boon for both the grads and the kids.

Know of any more green shoots? Leave them in the comments below. And if you’re having a hard time staying positive in economic negativity, check out this article.

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