There was an article several weeks ago saying 1 in 3 Rhode Islanders could not put food on the table. Yet, I see plenty of people out shopping for Christmas. Rental costs have exceeded what many can afford. The PUC allowed utility prices to go up by record amounts. In general credit card use is up all over not just in RI. People are certainly getting pinched hard in this economy. But I am not sure its to California levels.