PATCHWORK NATION -- February 24, 2010 at 12:36 PM EDT

Patchwork Nation: Hardship Score Up Across All Community Types

By: Dante Chinni

Consumer confidence is down. Gas prices and unemployment are both up. A look at the latest Patchwork Nation's Economic Hardship Index -- a measure of key indicators including foreclosures, unemployment and gasoline prices - show that it's still rough out there for many Americans.

Hardship scores rose in February in every one of Patchwork Nation's 12 community types - and that follows a big jump in scores last month.

The newest numbers show that in general, turnaround appears to be a long way off and a second dip of recession may not be out of the question.

Read more about the latest Hardship Index reading for your community type.

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