A House Used to Own Me

I used to own a house. Or, rather, a house owned me. A three- bedroom, 1.75-bath, mid-century modern home on a ridge in Los Angeles, Calif. with views that fed the soul. From the first moment we stepped through the front door, I belonged to this house.

Now? Well, now I sit on a couch in a basement surrounded by our stuff—what’s left of it. Piles of folded clothes, garbage bags stuffed with hats and purses and shoes, sleeping bags and electronic equipment. Books and boxes. My laptop. In my lap. This basement belongs to my mom and stepdad. It is located in Barrington, Ill., 2,014 miles away from the place we called home for the last seven years until we, narrowly avoiding foreclosure, sold everything and hit the road. I am 34 and I, with my husband, our pug dog and what is left of our belongings, have moved back in with my parents

This is not a sad story. This is anything but…

Laid Off and Learning…to be a DJ

While the kids return to school in the coming weeks, adults impacted by the recession have been returning to the classroom as well. For an increasing number of the recently laid off, unemployment has turned into the chance to explore the creative jobs they dreamed about as a kid.

At local community colleges and private learning centers around the country, the New York Times reports, “hundreds of thousands” of newly unemployed white-collar workers have begun taking advantage of low-cost classes. While many are using the additional schooling as a way to beef up resumes or transition into new careers, an increasing number are checking out the classes simply as a way to pass the time and have a little fun while they wait for a new job in their current profession.

Still wondering what opportunities exist for those with unlimited free time and a steady stream of unemployment checks to fund a foray into fun education? A few ideas…

Recession Briefing 8.31: Men’s Underwear Sales Dip

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

The recession is taking its toll on New York’s cocaine dealers: “You’re gonna find me at the post office if this goes on for much longer,” says one. (New York/Daily Intel)

Sales of men’s underwear typically are stable because they rank as a necessity. But during times of severe financial strain, men will try to stretch the time between buying new pairs, causing underwear sales to dip. (Washington Post)

To help pare their budgets, more Americans are bypassing the salon and opting to lop off their own locks. The results, can be shear disaster — clogged drains, fresh cowlicks and crooked trims. (Wall Street Journal)…

Screwed: 230 at The Resort at Singer Island

A daily review of the employment fallout around the country and the world.

Today’s Total: 535

The Resort at Singer Island in Riviera Beach, Fla. is slated to cut 230 staff members… The city of Detroit has laid off 205 employees after union negotiations failed… Bank of America announced that 50 employees from its Fort Lauderdale, Fla., claims and recovery office would face layoffs… Whirlpool will cut 30 workers from its Fort Smith, Ark., plant… The University of Illinois will lay off 20 employees from its Global Campus Program over the next six months… San Francisco Chronicle announced its plan to reduce its 330-member staff by even more in the coming weeks, although details are still being finalized…

The Recession Lexicon Competition at the New York Times

There have been some very smart and funny responses to the competition word maven Ben Schott has been holding this weekend at his New York Times blog. Inspired by Recessionwire’s Recession Lexicon, he asked readers to submit new, downturn-related words and phrases. Some of the early standouts are below. Thanks to Ben and his many fans!

grayoff: firing older workers to hire younger, cheaper labor in their place

cabeer: when one turns to alcohol to deal with a job loss they are starting a new cabeer…

7 Tips for Living with the Unemployed

The economy is supposedly in recovery, but layoffs are still prominent in virtually every industry. Many more people than usual can relate to a phenomenon usually restricted to the over-60 set: living with an unemployed spouse.

While being laid off and entering into retirement are far from the same, they both often leave one half of a couple with extra time on their hands, and plenty of pent-up energy that their significant other, coming home after a long day at work, can’t handle.Read: 4 Reasons To Date The Unemployed

WSJ.com recently wrote an article that shared a few words of wisdom on how to deal with this situation. Here are a few of their tips, plus some of our own…

Recession Lexicon: Vicarication

n./ Staycations are so 2008. This year, the trendy way to travel is vicariously, through other people’s adventures. Whether you’re unemployed and running out of savings or are working so hard to keep your job that you can’t take time off, it’s an easy way to save on airfare!

We heard this one from our friend…

Recession Briefing 8.28: Antidepressant Sales Up

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

While it’s worrying that more and more Americans are considered miserable enough to warrant prescription antidepressants, there may be some solace in the fact that these drugs are in some ways good for the economy. (The Big Money)

The real US unemployment rate is 16 percent if persons who have dropped out of the labor pool those working less than they would like are counted, a Federal Reserve official said. (Agence France Presse)

“The whole image of America as a shiny land of big money, big cars, and big food on big plates is really played out and passé, at least since we can’t afford those things any more,” writes Hamilton Nolan. “Now it’s Indian chic! Manila magic! The ambiance of Bombay and the mystique of Lagos add up to make us a truly global nation!” (Gawker)…

Screwed: 4,600 at Toyota

A daily review of the employment fallout around the country and the world.

Today’s Total: 5,706

Toyota will close a plant in Freemont, Calif., with 4,600 workers…BAE Systems, the second-largest defense company in the world, will lay off 325 U.S. workers by the end of the year…Accenture will slash 336 positons…Ethan Allen will cut 250 workers from its Vermont plant today…Elcoteq will lay off 150 Finnish staff members…

Love in the Time of Layoff: Truisms from Our Time

Okay all you lovers out there, so what do you know about dating, living and loving in the recession? Budgets for lavish dates and gifts have shrunk; long-term plans for established relationships have been somewhat downsized; and we’re all perhaps a little more deliberate in our dating than we were in the boom times. Things have changed–not least in the way you appreciate your mate. Below, some of the new realities that have emerged in these tough times:

You don’t need to spend a lot to get a lot. In a guest post, “Funky Brown Chick” Twanna A. Hines wrote about getting laid without laying out too much for it. Try renting porn flicks, buy sex toys, and try mixing it up by getting out of town on the cheap.

There are countless options for romantic dates on a budget…