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Recession Briefing 5.8

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

Will the recession eventually result in the U.S. legalizing marijuana? (Gawker)

Forget about swine flu, and beware the unemployment illness. Those who have been laid off have an  increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke or diabetes. (Daily Mail)

The unemployment rate is up to 8.9% in the U.S., but the rate of job loss is slowing. Employers cut 539,000 jobs in April, the fewest in six months. (Associated Press)

Aiming to cuts costs, more and more cell phone users are cutting off service to their land-lines. (Associated Press)

“Dentists are hard-pressed to explain what else besides stress from things like layoffs and home foreclosures would be the driving force behind the booming demand for tooth-repair services.” (Detroit Free Press)

Could a post-recession baby boom be coming? Many couples have less disposable income for restaurants and entertainment, and more stress to work off.  Does that result in more time in the sack? (USA Today)

Times no longer flush: The Riverside County government in California has cut down from four-ply to two-ply toilet paper in deference to the recession. (New York Times)

The Army National Guard has seen a surge in enlistment as a result of the faltering economy. National Guard benefits that include monetary bonuses and tuition assistance are reeling in applicants, recruiters and recruits say. (USA Today)

The new foreclosure data shows that many high-end homeowners are running out of resources for keeping their homes. That means the portion of the home market with the most expensive houses is beginning to collapse. (Time)

The “green” job market in the U.K. is thriving amid the recession. Employment offers in Britain’s renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainability and corporate social responsibility sectors grow by 58 percent in the past year. (Reuters)

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Tags: business, health, recreational drugs, relationships, The Unemployed Life