Many years ago I worked with a guy who had been there for decades, it was a retail job; my first job and he was a lifer. He said all the numbers that the gov't and the newspapers put out are BS when it comes to the economy, and he used headlights.
He always worked the late shift and drove home at night, so he counted the number of cars with a headlight out on his short drive home, the idea being people naturally put off small purchases if they are worried about their money situation. No headlights out meant things are good. 1 out and he started paying more attention. 2 out and he started socking a little money away for a rainy day. 3 or more out and he knew his hours were about to be cut.