8 Things We’re Glad the Recession Killed

There have been many sad passings in the downturn, some the results of the economy (lots of jobs, Domino magazine) others not (John Hughes). But as always, there is an upside: The bust seems to have killed off some of the more distasteful boom trends, expressions of excess that just aren’t appropriate anymore.

McMansions
All around the country, sprawling new developments sit empty, oversized homes are being foreclosed on, and home buyers are choosing—for the first time in 15 years, more normal-sized properties. A double-height great room does not a happy (or financially sound) family make.

SUVs
The McMansions of cars also boomed in the boom, when we didn’t care how much we spent for gas and were happy to tower over pathetic hippie cyclists. Wired.com says that 60 percent of the cars that have been junked through the Cash for Clunkers program are gas-guzzling Ford Explorers…

Recession Briefing 8.14: Bottled Water Market Washed Up

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession. (If you come across a good article or blog post about the recession pass it on. To receive Recession Briefing in your inbox, subscribe to our daily email.)

Sales of bottled water have fallen for the first time in at least five years, assailed by wrathful environmentalists and budget-conscious consumers who have discovered that tap water is practically free. (Los Angeles Times)

With Washington bickering over how to reform the health care system, many Americans are simply head to Mexico to get care they can afford. (Reuters)

Unemployed Americans are so discouraged about the prospect of finding a new job that they’re checking out of the labor force at the highest and fastest rate in nearly 10 years. Further, the recession has forced more full-time workers into part-time slots than at any time over the past 15 years. (Washington Post/The Ticker)…

Budget Living Tips from Celebrities

We want to look like them, dress like them, travel like them, but there are plenty of celebrity habits you don’t want to follow–especially in a recession. Jennifer Lopez reportedly doesn’t let her children wear an outfit twice, and some of the getups cost more than $1,000. Celine Dion used 6.5 million gallons of water at her Florida home a couple of years ago. And Lindsay Lohan—well, we advise you not to emulate her in any economy.

But some celebs have budget-friendly advice to share. After all, many of them were broke once too. It’s hard for mere mortals to follow the most common penny-pinching practice–get stuff given to you for free–but these are some savvy tips.

Brad Pitt: Luxury Bedding for Less
You always knew Brad would be good in—oops, I meant on—bed…

Recession Briefing 7.30: Downturn Crushing California Wine

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

The effect of the recession on the California wine industry has been brutal. Wine is a cash-flow business, and all along the pipeline, from farm to production to sales, cash is not flowing. (New York Times/The Pour)

The unusual new faces of joblessness in this groundbreaking recession are those of older white men cut loose from employment at the peak of their earning power and work experience. (USA Today)

More than 90 percent of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas saw their unemployment rates climb in June from the previous month. (Associated Press)

Recession Briefing 7.29

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

Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says the global economic crisis is an opportunity to re-think values related to finance. (AFP)

More retailers are accepting food stamps, as a record number of consumers are turning to government aid to pay for groceries. (USA Today)

Even as the recession has led to reduced budgets, it is also bringing forth a class of highly skilled volunteers who agree to work for only a thank you. This could be very valuable during hurricane season. (New York Times)

Downturn Deals: Half-Price Food

Most of the time, I believe that fresh food is best—like just-pulled-off-the-tree or yanked-out-of-the-water fresh. That’s why I like shopping at the farmer’s market. At the same time, for full disclosure: I have been known to test the boundaries of food freshness, more out of sheer laziness than frugality or a sense of adventure.

According to the Egg Safety Center, eggs will keep for five weeks past the expiration date with “minor loss of quality.” But let’s say late one winter night there’s nothing in the fridge but a three-month old carton of eggs. Trust me: Go hungry. DO NOT fry them up and eat them.

That said, somewhere in between just picked and mildly poisonous you can find some amazing food bargains…

10 Tips for Learning to Cook from Scratch

Two years ago I could go for days without setting foot in my kitchen. Work had taken over my life, and I didn’t even make coffee for myself. I had lots of nice things—four sizes of pots, skillets, a stock pot, a wok, baking sheets, pie plates, a slow cooker, a rice cooker, a bread maker, a KitchenAid mixer—but they were just crowding my kitchen.

While fantasizing about a balanced life, I read the book Apartment Therapy by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. To get the most out of your living space, it advises cooking at least one meal a week at home. So one evening I invited a friend over for dinner, thinking: How hard can it be to make pork chops? My friend, who was raised in Italy and can make gnocchi from scratch, said the pork chop was fine even though it tasted like shoe leather. I was mortified and vowed to change.

So I was lucky—when it became necessary to cut back on my expenses, I was already cooking a few basic dinners a week. Now I take lunch to work, do takeout even less and watch my ingredient costs. Right now a lot of people are considering cooking to save money, and I’m pretty sure many are in the same boat as I was: starting from scratch skills-wise and cursed with a rarefied palate from so much eating out. Here are ten tips I learned along the way…

Recession Briefing 7.17

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

A roadside billboard campaign funded by an anonymous donor tells motorists “Self worth is greater than net worth” and “This will end long before those who caused it are paroled.” (Associated Press)

Most people believe the economic downturn has led to more gang violence, according to a new national survey. (Associated Press)

Economist Nouriel Roubini said yesterday the worst of the financial crisis is over and reiterated that the recession may end this year. (Bloomberg)…

Recession Briefing 7.1

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

An increasing number of parents are trying to get their babies into the modeling business in the U.K., and baby-modeling agents posit that parents might be doing this to earn extra money in the recession. (New York/Daily Intel)

Home prices were down 18%, year-over-year, in April. (Associated Press)

If a nationwide trend seen since January holds true, more than 300 businesses will file for bankruptcy — today alone. (USA Today)

Recession Briefing: 6.30

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

Zoos across the country are reporting higher attendance as consumers look for affordable entertainment closer to home. (Springfield News-Leader)

As well-off families confront the new contours of their budgets, education may emerge as an attractive, if painful, place to cut. (New York Times/City Room)

The recession has begun to cut into eating habits, affecting not only how much we fork out on food but also what we are putting into our shopping baskets… (BBC)