Recession Briefing 9.15: Sarkozy’s Happiness Indicator

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

French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants world leaders to drop their obsession with gross domestic product and factor measures like “happiness” into economic indicators. (Associated Press)

Despite fresh signs that the worst may be over for the beleaguered U.S. economy, there has been no letup in public fears about possible financial hardship ahead and there is broad concern that not enough is being done to avert another meltdown. (Washington Post)

With more Americans than ever on food stamps, Randy James takes a look back on the program’s history. (TIME)

Screwed: 5,500 at Eli Lilly

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

Today’s Total: 9,589

Eli Lilly plans to lay off 5,500 employees by 2011 in anticipation of patent expirations… 3,722 New York State workers will lose their jobs over the next two years according to Governor Paterson’s Division of Budget… GE will lay off 164 workers from its factory in Bloomington, Ind… Chart Industries will lay off 90 workers at its plant in La Crosse, Wisc… The city of Islip, N.Y. anticipates laying off 70 employees by the end of the week… Timber Products Company laid off 23 workers from its plant in Corinth, Miss… The city of East St. Louis has announced plans to cut 18 city workers, 13 of them firefighters, in order to offset a budget deficit… 2 administrators were cut from the staff of Radford University in Roanoke, Va., kicking off what is expected to be a wave of layoffs after a large budget cut… Halliburton anticipates further layoffs at its facility in Carrollton, Tex., although the company has not announced how many people will be impacted…

Recession Lexicon: Putpockets

/n. From the Department of Strange but True: Aware of how people have been hit by the downturn, former pickpockets who are giving back by slipping cash into the pockets of unsuspecting pedestrians.

“It feels good to give something back for a change–and Britons certainly need it in the current economic climate,” Chris Fitch, a former pickpocket who is running the operation, told Reuters a couple of weeks ago…

Repair or Replace: Which is Better? It Depends.

It’s a question everyone has faced at some point: When a beloved item breaks or wears out, is it a better deal to fix it or replace it?

Since the recession first began, an increasing number of families are going with the latter option, foregoing new appliances and electronics and instead fixing the products they already own at a local repair shop when they break. From cobblers to computer technicians, those working in the fix-it industry say they’re seeing more business than ever before.

Unfortunately, not every broken item may be worth saving…

Recession Briefing 9.14: Goodwill Fashion Grows

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

Goodwill stores — which might have been a wardrobe faux pas in better times — are seeing a recession-fueled boost in sales. (Boston Herald)

Basic salaries for executives at top companies jumped 10 percent last year despite the financial crisis, a report said on Monday. (Agence France-Presse)

There is a surge in student interest at the nation’s schools that provide an education in the business and science of funerals, a field that historically garners greater interest as the job market worsens. (Associated Press)…

Screwed: 367 at Deere & Co.

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

Today’s Total: 784

Net Jets will cut up to 350 jobs while the company undergoes reorganization under new CEO David Sokol… Alaska Railroad plans to lay off 143 employees due to dwindling revenues… AstraZeneca has announced plans to lay off 113 employees at its manufacturing plant in Westborough, Mass… Boys and Girls Club of Edmonton, AB Canada will lay off 100 workers due to a $30,000 cut in provincial funding… Harley Davidson will shut down its Wisconsin assembly plant for the last two months of 2009 and temporarily lay off 52 employees… The Langley School District in Edmonton, AB Canada will lay off 26 staff members due to a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall linked to accounting errors…

5 Questions to Ask Before Relocating for Love

Michelle did it for Barack. Brad does it at least twice a year for Angelina. And thousands of non-famous people do it everyday for the people they love. We’re talking about relocating, and in these economically volatile times, a lot of people are doing it for the sake of work or a lower cost of living. But before you pick up, say goodbye to everyone you know, and move across the world for your partner, be sure to ask yourself and him (or her) some very important questions. Read: How To Make Long-Distance Love Work

1. How long will this relocation last? There’s a big difference between living in Florence for three months (romantic!) and moving to Sheboygan Falls indefinitely (quite possibly a tad less romantic). Consider what kind of trip this will be and be honest about yourself about what you and your relationship can handle. Scenarios with a light at the end of the tunnel often go more smoothly than those that go on forever, but every situation is, of course, different…

Fashion Week Necklace Giveaway

New York’s Fashion Week extravaganza started this week, and in recognition we’re giving away one necklace from PONO by Joan Goodman.

The colorful, sculptural jewelry was inspired by the island locations where the designer came of age, and is made from materials like Italian resin, wood, shell and horn. Normally the pieces are priced at $350 and up, and sell at high-end stories including Neiman Marcus and Saks. But PONO just launched its annex, which has jewelry for a very budget-friendly $12 to $66.

Or, you can get this chain-and-resin necklace for free…

Recession Briefing 9.11: Marijuana Farming Grows

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

The typical American household made less money last year than the typical household made a full decade ago. (New York Times/Economix)

Marijuana farming has increased during the recession as hard-luck entrepreneurs supplement their income with backyard pot plantations. (Associated Press)

Both Harvard University and Yale University have reported that the value of their respective endowments fell about 30% in the past fiscal year. (Associated Press, Wall Street Journal)…

Screwed: 1,000 at GM

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

Today’s Total: 2,208

GM will cut 1,000 white-collar employees by the end of this year… Monsanto will lay off 600 American workers as part of a plan to reduce its global workforce by 1,800… Deere & Co. is scheduled to lay off 367 employees at a plant in East Moline, Ill… The Kraft/Oscar Mayer factory in Madison, Wis. laid off 85 employees after a “seasonal” decline in hot dog sales… Portland State University plans to lay off 68 employees in order to trim $25 million from the annual budget… Bone Steel is slated to cut 40 U.K. factory workers… Western State Hospital in Staunton, Va. will lay off 25 employees due to state budget cuts… Walker Machinery cut 23 workers from its plant in Belle, W. Va…