Downturnaround Deals: Thompson Cigar, Limited, Esprit, Rock/Creek, Reebok, Glyde

We make it easier to keep your spending in check, with weekly deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com.

Exclusive: $10 off $60 or more at Thompson Cigar. (See more Thompson Cigar coupons.)…

Downturnaround Deals: HauteLook, Lock & Mane, Urban Outfitters, Travelocity, Old Navy, HP

We make it easier to keep your spending in check, with weekly deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com.

Get $10 off $50 or more at HauteLook. (See more HauteLook coupons.)…

Downturnaround Deals: Kate Spade, Gaiam, Drugstore.com, Expedia, Shoes.com, Fashion4Home

We make it easier to keep your spending in check, with weekly deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com.We’re scooting off to the Kate Spade website right now!

20% off orders of $50 or more with free shipping at Kate Spade. (See more Kate Spade coupons.)…

Recession Briefing: Relationship Rockiness

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

Money doesn’t buy love and it doesn’t buy happiness, as we should all know by now. But money woes can certainly cause problems for couples, especially during the economic downturn. The bottom line: It’s complicated. (New York Times/City Room)

The Great Recession may be over, but this era of high joblessness is probably just beginning. Ultimately, it is likely to warp our politics, our culture, and the character of our society for years to come. (The Atlantic)

Finding a job got much tougher last year, as the number of available openings fell by nearly one quarter. At the same time, the unemployed population soared by more than one-third, leaving more laid-off workers competing for fewer jobs. (Associated Press)…

Have the Cheapest and Awesomest V-Day Ever

Say what you will about commercialism and Valentine’s Day—it’s hard to reject a day that celebrates love in all its squishy glory.

Stop using money as an excuse to check out–who says you have to buy roses at inflated prices, or shell out for an overcrowded restaurant? In fact, sharing V-Day in a way that involves less spending (much, much less…) can be even more special. Start with our nine tips for gifts, meals and activities that will
make your Feb. 14 about connection, consideration and romance, not cash and cliches.

Say it with pictures

Or as PhotoJoJo puts it: “If you love someone, shoot them.” Go out and take portraits of each other, even if it’s with a crappy camera…

Recession Briefing: Some Construction Unemployment at 30 Percent

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

No industry has taken it more on the chin than construction. Nationally, unemployment fell to 9.7% in January, but in construction it jumped to 24.7% from 18.7% in October. In many regions, union officials report 30% of their members are unemployed or “riding the bench.” (Time)

For the first time in recorded history, women outnumber men on the nation’s payrolls. This benchmark is bittersweet, as it comes largely at men’s expense — because men have been losing their jobs faster than women. (New York Times)

More prosperous American shoppers seem to be defying continuing high unemployment levels and economic uncertainty to renew their spending on luxuries such as jewelery, fashion and cosmetics. (Financial Times)…

The End of the Trend

Bid goodbye to waiting lists for nail polish colors (at the risk of dating myself, remember Chanel’s Vamp?), figuring out how to work mustard yellow into your wardrobe, and short-lived fashion trends in general.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal story, the past few years have seen the death of the trend. (WSJ.com has a pay wall, but you can get around it by Googling the headline.) “Everything is in style,” the creative director of Doneger Group consultants told a group of retailers.

Christina Binkley reports that we’re in an age where women can more easily wear what looks good on them. The must-have of the month is gone. And before you bring up gladiator sandals and harem pants — gladiators had a good long run given how damn distinctive-looking they are, and harem pants seem to have died in the desert. Thank God…

Downturnaround Deals: Reebok, Petco, Linea Pelle, H&R Block, Ann Taylor, The Knot

Just so you remember the importance of being frugal, each week we post online deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com. Pass it on.

Start thinking summer shape-ups and take 20% off footwear at Reebok. (See more Reebok coupons.)

Take 10% off food and litter with no minimum at Petco. (See more Petco coupons.)…

Downturnaround Deals: Drugstore.com, Gap, Lush, Nirvana, Chegg, Weight Watchers

Every week, we post online deals hand-picked for Recessionwire readers by the nice people over at Savings.com. Pass ‘em on for good financial Karma.

Save $10 and receive free shipping on orders of $50 or more at Drugstore.com. (See more Drugstore.com coupons.)

Receive a Savings.com exclusive 12% off Nirvana Chocolates. (See more Nirvana Chocolate coupons.)…

Cashing In on Wedding Gifts

In some circles, it’s considered totally ticky-tack to give cash as a wedding gift. Well, times are tight and with people getting married later and later, couples are likely to already own not one but two sets of salad servers.

We expect cash to become more acceptable–and frankly, think it’s far preferable to some of the junk guests call “gifts.”

Deposit a Gift is a new site that seems right on trend…