One theory has it that the recession was actually supposed to make people happier—that the upheaval in jobs, markets, and housing would force us to be more grateful for the things we have, to come to a fresh realization about what’s truly important in life, and to help us focus not on money or careers or material possessions but on …
recovery
So Much for the ‘New Normal’: Is the Era of Mindful, Frugal Consumers Already Over?
An uptick in shopping sprees seems to indicate that the era of modest consumerism, with increased saving and decreased spending, may have already ended. If so, this shift in consumer behavior only lasted for a couple years, so I suppose it doesn’t really qualify as an “era.”
Plastic Predictions: What to Expect with Credit Cards in 2011
After years in which the credit card scene has changed dramatically—with landmark legislative reforms that prompted more fees and higher interest rates, a steep rise in how complicated card offers have become, millions of customer accounts involuntarily closed followed by a time when card issuers are actively pursuing customers even if …
Bad Credit? You Still May Be a Good Risk for Credit Card Companies
The credit card companies are mailing out ten times as many offers to open new accounts as they did last year, and what the offers show is that many people with bad credit are considered good for business. Often on the mailing lists are “risky” consumers with bad credit—so long as they have the right kind of bad credit. Being a …
The Curious American Consumer: Notable Trends for Housing, Shopping, Work, Fast Food, and More
As the numbers attest, life has changed quite a bit recently for homeowners, workers, shoppers, families, and even for rich people. And it’s not all bad: At least TVs are cheaper, right?
Q&A: ‘The Adventures of Unemployed Man’ Author Erich Origen
If you ever wanted to make sense of the bubble-riding, downsizing, outsourcing, debt-inducing, credit-crazy, middle-class-destroying era we’ve all just lived through—and in many ways, which we all continue to live in—a comic book will do the job as good as any. Hilarious, clever, very relevant, and remarkably insightful and …
Guess Who You’re More Likely to Be Buying Gifts for This Holiday Season?
Hint: It’s probably the most important person in your life.
5 Neat, Odd Innovations That Might Fix the Economy, the Housing Market, the Environment, and Your Household Finances
Plenty of old ideas clearly haven’t been working. So why not consider some new ones, even if they seem a bit impractical and “out there”?
Does Paying Your Mortgage Make You a Good Person, or a Stupid Person?
If your home is underwater—meaning you owe more on your mortgage than the property is now worth—simply walking away may make the most business sense. Considering the ongoing foreclosure mess, it would seem easier than ever to just stop paying the mortgage and enjoy what amounts to “free rent” until the lenders get their paperwork in …
For the Good of the Economy, You Should Spend Money You Don’t Have
Oh, and one more thing. You know, the money you don’t have? Ideally, you should be spending it on stuff you don’t really need.
Recession-Era Words and Phrases: Are You a ‘Nevertiree’? Or Are You Among the ‘Accidentally Retired’?
The economic crisis has brought about a “new normal,” in which Americans are adjusting their expectations concerning work, investing, spending, and one’s “lifestyle.” The recession has also brought with it new words and phrases, like “new normal.”
News That’s Good and Bad for Consumers, the Economy, and the World
Sometimes, news and notable trends aren’t entirely good or altogether bad. They’re a bit of both. For example, should we be happy that unemployed support groups are flourishing online? I suppose we should—though we’d all be happier if there was no reason for such groups to exist.