Friday, February 20, 2009

Solutions: Job Woes

(unemploymentality.com)

"Worst Is Yet to Come:" Americans' Standard of Living Permanently Changed
Aaron Task (2/17/09)

There's no question the American consumer is hurting in the face of a burst housing bubble, financial market meltdown and rising unemployment.

But "the worst is yet to come," according to Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, who believes American's standard of living is undergoing a "permanent change" - and not for the better as a result of:

  • An $8 trillion negative wealth effect from declining home values.
  • A $10 trillion negative wealth effect from weakened capital markets.
  • A $14 trillion consumer debt load amid "exploding unemployment", leading to "exploding bankruptcies."
"The average American used to be able to borrow to buy a home, send their kids to a good school [and] buy a car," Davidowitz says. "A lot of that is gone." More>>

Instructor Renu Kansal leads students in practicing Bollywood dance steps in south Denver on 2/17/09. Drawn to the lavish dance numbers in films from India, or just bored with their gym workouts, people are flocking to Bollywood-style classes that mix traditional Indian folk dances with hip-hop moves. And the U.S. exercise industry is taking notice (AP/David Zalubowski).

DENVER – Drawn to the lavish dance numbers in films from India, or just bored with their gym workouts, people are flocking to Bollywood-style dance classes that mix traditional Indian folk dances with hip-hop moves. And the U.S. exercise industry is taking notice.

Long enjoyed by young people of Indian descent, and common in big cities on the coasts, Bollywood-style classes are popping up in regions of the country where Indian cinema is new and there aren't as many people of Indian descent.

Fans of Bollywood — an informal term for Hindi-language films, often romantic musicals — want formal instruction in the style marked by foot-stomping dance numbers that put folk moves and hip swings to pop beats. More>>

Unemploymentality: Fun Survival Tips
B.A. Stuart

The fine folks of the Unemploymentality [Blog] asked me to share some tips every once in awhile to help you enjoy your life without spending all your loot. So that’s what I’m gonna do. Why do I qualify to do this? I’m glad you asked. I’ve been writing to help others for five years now. And in just the past couple years I’ve had two books come out, Broke-Ass Stuart’s Guide to Living Cheaply in San Francisco and New York To get a better idea of what I do, check out brokeassstuart.com. But enough about me, let’s get to saving you money.

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