Interview

1.       In your lifetime, what city that you are familiar with has changed the most (both positive and negative)?

Grandfather- Bedford, MA. When I grew up it was a very small town but then local business started to bring up the town economically, which made a lot of its citizen’s pretty wealthy. A negative effect of the town was that big business never really came into Bedford.

Dad- Andover, MA. With the help of small and big business and colleges in the area, Andover became a pretty wealthy town. On the negative side the town lost a lot of its “mom and pop” stores because of big business.

Me- Nashua, NH. I’ve grown up in Nashua, NH and I see the change all around me. Big business is starting to move into the city which will help it grow even more. Negitive sides are the public school system is really starting the slack and that is the core of our future is education.

2.       In your opinion, what president had the biggest positive impact on the economy? Why?

Grandfather- Ronald Regan. He helped promote small business which made the economy grow and make more money.

Dad-Ronald Regan. He promoted small business which helped me with my career and make my money.

Me- George W. Bush because after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 he helped us get out of it and got the economy back on track.

3.        What is your first memory of a major economic event impacting your life?

Grandfather- I was born in the Great Depression Era and at a very young I knew something was wrong with the country. This hurt my family a lot and this is what helped motivate me to make a lot of money.

Dad- The collapse of the housing market, this did not help my career at all and was a major setback.

Me- These past couple of years with the recession the United States has been having, and its been really hard economically on people.

4.       How do you get economic news? How has this changed over your life?

Grandfather – I watch Fox News every day or the Stock Market Channel ( NYSE). Well in my business I need to check my stocks to see how my money is doing, so if I am generating money or losing money.

Dad- I watch NYSE all the time. I also have money in the stock market so I have to see if I gained money or not.

Me- I really don’t watch economic news. Sometimes I do watch Fox News.

5.       What is your definition of economics ( when you hear the word economy or economics what do you think about)?

Grandfather- Economics is the gain and loss of money in a certain system.

Dad- Economics is using goods and services at a certain price.

Me-  Economics is the science that deals with demand and supply.

6.       How do you deal with rising prices e.g. substitute cheaper brand, stop buying? Any examples?

Grandfather- Rising prices in the United States is tough. Since I am retired I no longer need to worry about business related price increases but for example gas prices has sky rocketed and to me this is very bad news and we need to figure out a new form of transportation without using gas.

Dad- I deal with rising prices by buying less of that brand and try to do more with less.

Me- I need to stop buying expensive things ( clothing) that I do not need.

7.       What product or service has most changed over your lifetime?

Grandfather- Throughout my life time, the telephone has changed the most. At first the telephone was huge and not wireless. Now they are small and wireless, they can do all sorts of things like take pictures and even go on the internet.

Dad- Building Commercial Construction, this has changed throughout the years because of how different the labor is now and how much faster buildings can be put up.

Me- The telephone has changed the most throughout my life. They came out with new and improved phones every year. It is pretty crazy that how fast technology is moving along.

8.       How have you handled saving and how has this changed?

Grandfather- Ever since I was young I have always saved my money. I never really had the chance to even spend money because my family was very poor. So the only thing I could spend money on were “needs” not “wants”.

Dad- Saving has always been a big resource in my life. I used to love spending money when I was a kid but now I need to save money because I want my family to live happily and comfortably.

4.  What was the price of gas when you got your first car?

Grandfather- .31 cents in the 1950s.

Dad- .52 cents in the 1970s.

Me- $ 1.79 in 2009.

6. What was your wage at your first job?

Grandfather- 5 cents. I was a plumbers assistant.

Dad- 25 cents. I worked construction.

Me-  $7.25 I am a golf cart boy.