Yoga is supposed to enhance transparency, but not like this. Trendy apparel manufacturer Lululemon Athletica had to cover its …
condoms
Olympic Schwag for London 2012 Athletes: Free Bibles — And LOTs of Free Condoms
Like every Olympics, London 2012 is sure to be remembered for the magical moments when world records are shattered. Even before the games start, though, one unusual Olympic record has already been trounced: Event organizers are …
How Random Companies Desperately Try to Attach Themselves to All the Super Bowl Hoopla
The Super Bowl is obviously a big deal for business. Advertisers are paying an average of $3.5 million per 30-second commercial aired during the game, and they’re spending millions more to promote online contests and viral video …
12 Things We Buy in a Bad Economy
The stumbling economic recovery has led many of us to rein in our expenses, even on necessities like diapers. But there are a few lucky sectors that benefit from a weak economy — things that let us escape, give us momentary …
As the Economy Goes, So Goes Birth Rates: Fewer Babies Born Since Recession
It seems like more than just coincidence that the birth rate and the overall number of births in the U.S. have sharply declined since the beginning of the recession.
What Condoms, Condiments, and Condominiums Have in Common
Other than the fact that they start with the same four letters, sales of all three have been strongly and directly affected by the economic downturn.
More Economic Indicators: Animal Abandonment, Backyard Gardens, Cancelled EZ Pass
How do you know the economy isn’t doing so hot? Your waitress is really hot, for one thing. Also, there’s a decline in the production of boxes meant to hold cereal, toothpaste, or beer. People are planting gardens to cut down on their food bills. Animal shelters are overwhelmed with pets dropped off by folks whose homes are in foreclosure.
Which Comes First: Financial Security or Baby?
Biological clocks, steady employment and income, and couples’ relationships are ducks that don’t always line up in nice, neat rows. This is especially the case during the recession. The uncertainty of the economy has pushed condom sales up and birth rates down.
Ten Odd Lessons the Recession Has Taught Us
The recession has provided a moment to step back and contemplate, to come to a truer understanding of life lessons like that happiness is not derived from material things. The financial downturn has also passed along some slightly odd teachings, like that fewer people die at the workplace when there are fewer people actually at work.
Sex & Jokes: The Great (and Free!) Recession Stress Relievers
You might think that a financial crisis and a dreary, prolonged economic downturn might be a total bummer. People wouldn’t find much of anything funny, and they wouldn’t exactly be in the mood for other kinds of fun, either. Actually, it appears the opposite is true: In tough times, people seek out releases more than ever—and what are …
Netflix and Crocs: Recession Boom and Recession Bust
Tough times have a huge impact on what we buy, and what we don’t. In light of recent sales figures related to the brightly colored foam clogs known as Crocs and the mail-order DVD service known as Netflix, we’ve got two interesting recession case studies.
She’s a Belt-Tightener, Get It? She Designs Tight-Fitting Clothes
“Tightening Belts? She’s the Expert.” That’s the headline of a NY Times story on fashion innovator Diane von Furstenburg. She’s not remotely a tightwad with money. She designs tight, clingy clothes that demand tight belts. Get it? That’s recession humor for you.
