The 99-cent iPhone Case

How the Gizmodo did we miss this one?

During the boom, there were a few too many smartphones riding around in Louis Vuitton cases. Well, tough times call for cheap cases. Case-Mate has a “recession” iPhone case made from cardboard for just 99 cents, including shipping…

Avoiding Bank Fees: The App Solution

When money is tight, small expenses add up fast. $3 fees for ATM withdrawals, $12 checking account service charges, and $30 penalties for bounced checks and overdrafts can put a real dent in anyone’s monthly budget. Unfortunately, this situation looks like it’s only getting worse now that recession-weary banks across the country have begun upping their service charges to levels never been seen before. According to a new survey by Bankrate.com, ATM fees are up 16 percent since 2004, bringing the average cost of a non-network ATM withdrawal (i.e. using an ATM at a bank other than your own) to $3.54.

By going digital and putting your iPhone to work, you can avoid irritating fees and organize your finances at the same time. After all, if you’re paying a hefty bill for that cell phone plan every month then you might as well use it. Here’s a run-down of sites and apps that may help reduce the fees you have to pay:…

Screwed: Possible 20,000 at Pfizer

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

Today’s Total: 21,035

The Pfizer-Wyeth merger is nearing completion and will result in nearly 20,000 layoffs at Pfizer, 15% of the company’s workforce… Iowa state anticipates 1,000 layoffs resulting from its 10 percent budget cut… Sununu Youth Services in Manchester are faced with 25 staff cuts… 10 staff layoffs at Conde Nast’s Golf World magazine… Vermont will see significant layoffs in three government sectors including Corrections, Transportation, and Children and Families… Bossier City has maintained a hiring freeze this week and will announce number of layoffs today…

Recession Briefing 10.16: Fido’s Recession

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

More than 80% of pet shelters have reported taking pets whose owners could not afford to keep them because they lost their home or job. (USA Today)

“Right now, the economy is abundant with innovation — so much so that it might end up saving the day or, at least, paving the way to future prosperity,” writes Daniel Harrison. (The Big Money)

Businesses with federal stimulus contracts have created few jobs in states with the worst unemployment rates, according to data released Thursday. The first report card shows the federal Recovery Act money means hiring more electricians, carpenters, and others across the country. (New York Times, Christian Science Monitor)…

Downturnaround Deals: SpaFinder, Saks, Esprit, David’s Cookies, Dell, AT&T

Every week, we post a handful of online deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com. Feel free to pass them along to your friends. And if there’s something you’d like to see, let us know!

We could use a massage, a facial, a manicure, and everything else…take 10% off all orders at SpaFinder. (See more SpaFinder coupons.)…

Get Your Recession Scare On

Looking for some timely Halloween costume ideas? Let the recession be your inspiration. Whether you’re dressing up as Bernie Madoff, the repo man, or a laid off CEO—now’s the time to get crafty and start planning your recession-ready party wear. And if you’ve recently been laid off, then consider it a blessing. After all, you’ll have more time to grab your glue gun and start making your own costume from scratch.

After the jump, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite recession-inspired costume ideas…

Recession Briefing 10.15: Stimulating Tax Dollars?

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

The public will get a chance to see in detail how their stimulus money is being spent when data is released about the $787 billion stimulus package on the website Recovery.gov today. (Huffington Post)

Concerned about Social Security recipients, veterans, and people on disability payments struggling to make ends meet, President Obama is asking Congress to send them each a $250 check next year. (Christian Science Monitor)

A new study found that the recession is taking a big toll on working moms: Over half of the 1,000-plus women surveyed reported working longer hours, while just one in four women without children and one in three men reported doing so. (U.S. News & World Report)…

Screwed: Possible 2,000 at AOL

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

Today’s Total: 3,196

AOL may have to eliminate up to 2,000 employees after Alix Partners, a consulting firm, advises on how to save $300 million per year… Iowa’s Department of Human Services anticipates laying off up to 400 workers… The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation will be downsizing by 200 employees in the next nine months… Up to 200 employees, mostly in law enforcement and corrections, will be laid off in Spokane County, Wa… Syracuse County, N.Y. laid off 135 staffers in order to close a budget deficit for 2010… Coca Cola HBC Ireland is set to lay off 130 workers… As part of “organizational fine-tuning,” eBay will lay off fewer than 60 employees… McCann Erikson San Francisco handed out 40 layoff notices… Franciscan Skemp Healthcare cut 25 employees in Wisconsin in response to declining numbers of patients… At least 6 staff members have been laid off from Vogue as the magazine tries to meet a 25% budget cut…

Recession Anger is Kicking In

Is it us, or do people seem a bit more…pissed off these days?

One morning last week, we were at the entrance to a New York subway station, taking photos for an article. We tried to shoot when the stairs were clear, and move out of the way when trains arrived.

One woman, who was obviously on her way to the office, wanted to go down our side of the staircase and felt we were obstructing her.

“Morons!” she said loudly as she passed, in the withering tone that Gothamites have perfected.

When the recession began, we felt a sort of camaraderie in the air. Even though–in fact, because–the economy seemed to be teetering on the edge of collapse, there was a feeling that Americans were all in it together. They were more generous, more community oriented. It seemed like everyone was a little bit nicer.

Over the past few months, there’s been more anger and aggressiveness on the street, on the subway and in stores…

Ditching the Overhead

Michael M., owner of a small electronics import business in northern New Jersey, has seen his profits drop as end users of technology products continue to pinch pennies and stores buy less from him to avoid over-stocking.

Michael now realizes that he needs to re-think spending on his large warehouse and office space and focus energy on marketing his services and products in a way that encourages both his direct clients and end users to spend. So, he has started to re-fashion his business to eliminate his need for warehouse and even office space, let him work from home and gets electronics directly to stores from manufacturers…