Goddess Financials:Online Dating is Up and Tummy Tucks are Down
July 23, 2009 5 Comments
I came across an article on Kiplinger.com via the Moneyclubs.com monthly newsletter titled “You know you’re in a recession when…” I usually delete the Money club newsletters immediately then why did you sign up in the first place? But this time around the title caught my eye and I figure I would share the info with yall. The recession has got a lot of people down. Myself in particular? I’ve been struggling as soon as I was forced to live independently at the age of 19, so with the exception of inflation I haven’t really been affected by the changes, emotionally. I also work for a small company that has convinced us that everything is under control, so for now I’m cautious but comfortable.
The thing that keeps me afloat is the saying- what goes up must come down. I live within my means, I’m not afraid to substitute a no name brand product for the trusted household name and it helps to be enthusiastic about DIY projects (If you follow me on twitter you’ll know a few weeks back I made my own laundry detergent lol)
Here are some quirky recession indicators:
Online Dating is Up
When the Dow Jones dropped to a five-year low last November, Match.com had its second-busiest weekend of the year. The fourth quarter of 2008 was its busiest in seven years. Misery loves company, so perhaps people are looking for someone with whom they can forget about money troubles–or share the pain.Romance Novels are Hot
Harlequin Publishers says its sales were up 32% in 2008, and 2009 sales are still rising. Harlequin saw a similar sales increase during the recession of the early ’90s. The uplifting themes of romance novels offer a haven, and the price is low relative to other entertainment.Bodies are Drooping
Liposuctions and tummy tucks were down nearly 20% in 2008. Without as much extra cash, fewer people can spend freely on plastic surgery. But they still want to look good, so eyes are looking up: Eye-makeup sales increased 8.5% in the past year, though lipstick sales declined.Gardens are Green
The number of households growing their own fruits, vegetables and herbs is 19% higher than in 2008, with 43 million gardeners in the US this year. Gardeners say the prospect of saving money on groceries motivates them to till the soil.Divorce Rates are Down
Couples who can’t afford two separate households are putting divorce on hold, willing to put up with a stormy relationship while they hunker down to weather the economic storm.And as always happens in recession, people are going to the movies more and the dry cleaner less.
Source: kiplinger.com
Judging from the list, the recession may be just what the doctor ordered. We are looking for love, taking care of our bodies by accepting the natural state of them and nourishing them with organically grown fruits and vegetables. We may be more inclined to read a book, not a big fan of romance, but if you check out your local bookstore the clearance section is massive. On the downside we may be more inclined to settle in relationships that keep us financially secure.
Any thoughts on this article? Does this sound like changes you’ve made in your life? What changes have you made in your life to accommodate the current recession? Any tips to share for saving money?
My most valuable possession is my heart of gold,
Tee’d Off
Goddess, Lifestyle, Society
Just goes to show that when times are tough people tend to curb their rampant consumer/enabler tendencies. Whether the trend continues once the economy gets better remains to be seen.
Yes that will be interesting to see because for many of generation X/Y , like myself, this is our first ever recession..and unlike generations b4 us there is an even heavier focus on obtaining material goods…
great data. i’ve definitely felt a need to down size my life and found that it’s made me more creative with my free time, making it easier to interact with people since i’m doing things like riding my bike more and going to the library instead of driving to the movies!
: )
me too! you’ll be surprised how many interesting people i come across when I’m talking a walk instead of using public transit. And it’s amazing how many FREE activities there are in your local city, that have been around for awhile but you didnt pay them any mind until you were forced to downsize your budget.
Interasting stuff.especiall that devorce rates are down.
Thats a good thing, I guess