Times are tough for people like Lorenzo Jackson.
"Everything's going up. The prices are going up for gas, even food. If you're not making enough at your job then you have to find ways to budget or make more money," he says.
Which has him and many others on the job hunt and right now looks like the perfect time to apply.
"We're building up so we have enough people to handle the rush," says Rick Zeeff, Meijer store director.
Zeeff says most Meijer stores are hiring now and people want those jobs.
"We're getting a good flow of applicants, we have hundreds and hundreds, just in one day at this store."
"It's still a struggle you know with so many people looking for jobs. Are you the first or last?" says Jackson.
Most are seasonal, part-time jobs, so it's not a permanent fix. Still, economics professor, Richard Measell says these jobs are helpful, "It's a foot in the door for people so it could be a good opportunity."
Even though more are hiring, Measell says there won't be a big increase in holiday sales. "Consumers are pretty cautious. Their purchasing power in terms of income have stayed pretty flat in the past couple months."
He says Christmas shopping is expected to be up four percent, compared to five percent in 2011 and 2012.
"There's still a cloud over the economy it looks like," says Measell.
No surprise for people like Jackson who say, "Two kids and a wife, it's kinda hard."
Whose hoping a holiday job will lead to something more permanent, because this year, jobs and money are tight.
