This AP story reports scary figures from the Labor Department. (Go here for the NYT the story.) More than 533,000 jobs were cut in November, the highest in 34 years, according to the story. NPR reported this morning that the Big Three auotmakers probably will use the newest figures as part of their push for bailout money in whatever form to help stave further job losses — losses beyond the jobs the executives promised to cut in exchange for the cash. The job losses probably point to a very long recession, already a year old. And, as the Post-Dispatch reported Thursday, homeless numbers are expected to rise. Food pantries are seeing a rise in request for assistance.

A sale sign hangs in a store window. Getty Images

Scary times indeed. Stores are slashing prices way ahead of schedule, including Saks FIfth Avenue, according to this New York Times story from Thursday. Stores nationwide are cutting prices, which lured shoppers over the Thanksgiving weekend. But the price cuts, while attracting shoppers, have affected the profits for the stores.

We look around at our neighbors and colleagues, wondering how the economy is going to hurt those we know and love. Are you afraid of losing your job? How are you dealing with the uncertainty? As we approach Christmas, a time of giving, will we do things differently this year because of the economy?