The Recession Movie

A long, long time ago–okay, back in March–we wrote about a couple of enterprising brothers who responded to job loss by loading up a van and driving through all 50 states, chronicling Americans’ experience with the recession. Well, now their movie, The Recess Ends, is done…

Screwed: 2,000-plus in Lithuania

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

Today’s Total: over

Lithuania is shutting down its only nuclear power facility, eliminating more than 2,000 jobs…Louisiana is eliminating 445 healthcare positions…

What We Lost (and Gained) in 2009

It was a very big year.

Several months ago we wrote about “recession speed“—the way things happened at an accelerated pace in the downturn. Banks failed overnight. Jobs vanished in a snap. In 2009, we’ve all experienced sudden losses, big and small. But (the upside!) we’ve also learned, earned and reaped some benefits. Here’s a partial roster of what’s been lost and found. What else should be on the list? Tell us in comments.

What We Lost

Jobs: The Department of Labor hasn’t put out official numbers for all of 2009, but adding up monthly data shows that more than 4 million jobs have been lost this year. More than 15 million people are looking for jobs in the U.S.

Any Sense of Job Security: See above.

How to Shop in Your Closet for New Year’s Eve

With all the sales taking place and New Year’s just days away, it can be tempting to hit the stores for some new party duds. But face it (as I recently did): You have plenty of clothes. You just overspent on holiday gifts. And even the gainfully employed learned this year about the importance of being frugal. So here’s how to shop in your closet, and some sparkle to your evening without spending:

Repurpose Your Jewels

Works especially well with hand-me-downs from mom and grandma. Hang a big rhinestone pin on some ribbon to make a new necklace.

Screwed: 115 at Jackson Rancheria Casino

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

Today’s Total: 118

The holiday hold-off continues, with almost no companies laying off workers in the week before Christmas and New Year’s…

Screwed: Nobody!

Good news for the holidays—it looks like companies were kind enough not to lay anyone off between Christmas Eve and today. If we’re wrong, email us and let us know.

Downturnaround Deals: Lucky Brand Jeans, Kohls, Harry & David, Griffin Technology, Express, Ann Taylor

Every week, we post online coupons for food, clothes, books, gadgets and more, hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com.

Get $20 off orders of $100 or more at Lucky Brand Jeans. (See more Lucky Brand coupons.)

Receive 15% off orders of $100 or more at Kohls. (See more Kohls coupons.)

Take 20% off all orders at Harry & David. (See more Harry & David coupons.)…

Recession Briefing 12.11: McDonald’s Gets More Wallet-Friendly

McDonald’s is adding more dollar items to its breakfast menu, in an effort to jump-start sales that have been hit by the high jobless rate. (Reuters)

The Obama administration is proposing creating a new TARP program that gives banks access to government money without restrictions—as long as they use it to make loans to small businesses. (Washington Post)

Some businesses have been forced to close in Lake Oswego, Ore., but there has also been a small boom in new businesses thanks to the downturn. (The Oregonian)…

Downturnaround Deals: Banana Republic, Gap, Flip, Urban Outfitters, Gamestop, Shoes.com

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. They also have a new service, Savings Little Helpers. Tweet @savings using #helpmesave and tell them what you’re shopping for. The Savings.com experts will dig up the best coupon and send it to you.

Get 20% off purchases of $100 or more at Banana Republic.
See more Banana Republic coupons.

Recession Briefing 12.10: A 50 Percent Tax on British Bonuses

The British government wants to levy a one-time, 50-percent tax on banking bonuses over $41,000. “I am giving them a choice,” said Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling. “They can use their profits to build up their capital base. If they insist on paying substantial rewards, I am determined to claw money back for the taxpayer.” (BusinessWeek)

A new survey shows that employees are unhappy with the way they’ve been treated in the downturn, and many plan to quit their jobs next year. (Chicago Sun-Times)

The public thinks more highly of politicians, lawyers and insurance companies than bankers, thanks to their big bonuses and taxpayer bailouts. (Bloomberg)…