Thursday, December 18, 2008

Signs of Recession

Now that the election is over, it seems like reporters, pollsters, and statisticians are creatively scrutinizing a new subject: the economy. Everyday there is a new sign of the recession. Here are my favorites, backed up by hard numbers of course, thus far:
  • Rich Cut Back Payments to Mistresses: 80% of multimillionaires who had extra-marital lovers planned to cut back on their gifts and allowances. 12% of the multimillionaire cheaters said they plan to give up on their lovers altogether for financial reasons. (Wall Street Journal)
  • Plastic Surgery Business Sags Amid Recession: 65% of plastic surgeons report less business, 5% decrease of breast implant sales nationally, and 30-40% decrease of plastic surgery in Orange County. (Huffington Post)
  • Economic Tough Times Hit Nevada Brothel: Poor economy forced Madam to lay off 30% of her staff. (ABC News)
But never fear, signs of the economy are good for some companies.
  • Some Companies Thrive in Recession: The U.S. cigarette-and-tobacco market will grow 28% to $132 billion from this year to 2011. The U.S. market for pacemakers and defibrillators will grow 33% to $6 billion by 2013. (USA Today)
Thumbs down for an incease in cigarettes and heart problems. Thumbs up for job security for my dad (in the pacemaker business).

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