Economists may be waffling on whether we're headed into a recession, but a recent survey of the economic indicators at my local Kwik Trip Convenience Store all point to rough times ahead.

-Scratch-off lottery tickets not hitting as often, especially Red Hot Slingo and the Moola Tripler.

-Fewer Johnsonville Cheddar Smoked Sausages and more Johnsonville Original Smoked Sausages on the roller grill. People cutting back on luxuries.

-Shoppers foregoing bagged ice, instead collecting frozen chunks falling off semis in the parking lot.

-For the first time in a decade the economy briefly overtakes Brett Favre as the number one topic of conversation.

-Skate rats sipping 32-ouncers instead of mega-big gulps.

-Badgerland Jerky now made with actual badger meat.

-Take-a-Penny, Leave-a-Penny program finally goes belly up.

-Gourmet Konuba Coffee now made with 60 percent Arabica beans, 40 percent Garbanzo

-Pre-sipping at the soda fountain the only benefit available from the Second Harvest food pantry.

-Sign now reads, "Our cash register contains less than $4.99 after 11 P.M." Place still gets hit every Saturday.

-I steal an issue of Penthouse and pack of gum every time I go in there. This has nothing to do with the economy.