Sunday Read: What Do YOU Think About the State of the OC Economy?

Just down the street from [Hector] Haget’s [sandwich] shop, a mortgage company just closed. “There’s no question,” he says, “the economy’s tough.”

In case you haven’t done so yet, now’s a good time to check out Jonathan Lansner’s article in today’s Register about the state of the local economy. OK, OK, it may not be pleasant Easter holiday reading. But nonetheless, Lansner tells us a compelling story highlighting the troubles we currently face.

As I read the article, I was just struck by how Foothill Ranch entrepreneur Hector Haget seemed to catch a lucky break. He opened an upscale sandwich shop that seems to cater well to suburbanites looking to save money by downscaling away from pricier sit-down restaurants. But overall, it doesn’t look like Haget’s luck is being spread out to everyone. Anyone still working in anything real estate related is still at risk of losing one’s job. And in turn, the continued real estate slump is spreading out to hurt other sectors in the OC economy.

So how are you surviving the slumping economy? Do you ever feel your job’s at risk? Do you have friends that are maybe one or two missed mortgage payments away from foreclosure? Or do you know someone who, like Hector Haget, is finding a way to capitalize on all our slimmer wallets?

I want to hear what you have to say. What’s your own experience surviving OC’s not-so-hot economy? Are you struggling to stay afloat? Or have you been able to avoid hard times? Go ahead and have your say.