10 Reasons to
Love a Recession
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Recession Blessings
Of course, no one wants a recession. It can cause serious economic pain for millions. However, economists tell us there are some reasons to actually welcome, perhaps even embrace, a recession. After all, a recession is the ebb part of the natural ebb and flow of the U.S. economy.
So, let's smile, lift our half-full cups of regular unleaded and toast these 10 very good things about the impending recession.
Next: Reason No. 1 -
No. 1: Less Junk Mail
Thanks to the presumptive recession, many of us have recently glimpsed the back of our mailboxes for the first time in years. According to the Chicago-based research firm Mintel Comperemedia, credit card direct mail volume has dropped 19 percent since last October. Last year, credit card issuers cut their mailings to current customers by nearly one-third (30 percent). That will free up delivery space for the junk mail we enjoy receiving -- coupons.
Next: Reason No. 2 -
Tim Boyle, Getty Images
No. 2: Shorter Gas Lines
Ever since gas topped the magical $4 tipping point, you can fill up, wash the windows, check the oil, enjoy a leisurely roller-cooked hotdog and a 32-ounce giant gulp, and even grab a power nap before the next customer appears in your rearview mirror. Can curb service of Red Bull and Slim Jims be far behind?
Next: Reason No. 3 -
No. 3: Family Dinners
Recessions tend to foster family mealtimes as the pin money that drives fast-food meals and overscheduled lives dries up. Nothing could be better for America, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Research has shown that family meals promote a healthier and more balanced diet, foster better communication and ward off teen suicide, eating disorders and substance abuse.
Next: Reason No. 4 -
Getty Images
No. 4: More Coupons
A February survey by Toronto-based ICOM Information and Communications found that 67 percent of Americans are likely to use coupons during a recession, regardless of their income. Traffic to online coupon sites is growing rapidly, with page views up 38 percent to 281 million in March compared to the previous year, according to the research firm comScore.
Next: Reason No. 5 -
AP
No. 5: Free Fitness
As gas prices skyrocket, alternative modes of transportation are once again gaining traction. When you ride a bike, walk to the bus stop or hoof it to the train station to commute to work, you get a free workout along with saving gas money. Throw in a little cardio and add some upper body and you can save the $35 to $40 a month that CostHelper.com estimates we spend on average for a fitness club membership.
Next: Reason No. 6 -
AP
No. 6: Bargain SUVs
Not all prices go up in a recession. Case in point: gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs. Once gas approached the $3.50 mark, prices of new and used SUVs, pickup trucks and minivans plummeted. Ford and GM recently announced plant closures and production cuts at their truck and SUV facilities in response to the swift public migration to fuel-efficient compacts and hybrids. If you've long coveted an SUV, make your move now.
Next: Reason No. 7 -
No. 7: Business Opportunities
Entrepreneurial startups by laid-off and downsized employees, managers and executives often help get the economy growing again. Recessions are a great time to open your own shop: Wages are down, rents are cheaper, competition is scarce and the cost of goods and services can be found at a discount. There's no better time to become your own boss.
Next: Reason No. 8 -
No. 8: Growth in Gardening
It's the perfect time to get back to nature. Bid your lawn service adieu and put your mind and body to work tending your grounds yourself. The benefits are numerous. Regular gardening provides cardio and strength training, improves flexibility and relieves stress. These health benefits help fight heart attack, type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and osteoporosis. What you grow also encourages a healthier diet. And the money you save by mowing, raking, pruning and mulching yourself will more than pay for your equipment, fuel and next year's plantings.
Next: Reason No. 9 -
No. 9: Musical Inspiration
Do economic downturns inspire great music? A case can be made that hard times help produce heartfelt anthems that cut through the anesthetic musical drone of the day. This has been true of everyone from Woody Guthrie to Bruce Springsteen to the Clash and even Kurt Cobain. Given the current state of popular music and its obsession with an affluence that is quickly disappearing, the climate would seem right for the emergence of new artists who can rekindle passion and urgency in American music.
Next: Reason No. 10 -
No. 10: New Perspectives
Perhaps the greatest boon of a recession is the time to reflect and reassess the true meaning and goals of our lives. For instance, it's doubtful that today's green movement would be where it is today without the small-is-beautiful mental reset of the '70s. We may not be the ideal stewards of the planet yet, but we're making progress. Temporary setbacks like recessions prompt our collective course corrections.
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More on AOL: Real Recession Signs -
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Real-Life Signs
We're in a Recession
We took an "average joe" approach to determine whether we are already in the midst of the big "R."
Our bloggers spied more than 20 new trends in everyday life that seem to say we are. Click through our gallery to see what they're seeing.
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Recent Comments
Newjeff121 01:44:03 PM Jul 10 2008
AOL MONEY has now proved itself to be (at best) a Joke! No one who reads this story will trust anything written by AOL Money again.
MRSDSHAW 11:30:37 PM Jul 07 2008
True, a recession is terrible. But I think the idea of the article was to encourage people to make the best out of the situation we are in right now or to look at the bright side of things, for lack of better word. If the world were to get better, the Bible would be a lie and it's not. But in the same breath, even though the world will not get any better, for those who trust in HIM you will make it through. He will always make a way.
O000H baby baby 12:47:40 PM Jul 07 2008
10 reasons to love a recession? I suppose if you are one of the elite, you can love a recession. For people who have to decide wethere to eat, or pay the mortgage, it isn't something on the top 10 list of how they wish to spend their days. Fractional banking, shrinking the supply of money is fun for those who are doing it, I suppose. I don't think I would be able to sleep at night, myself. Financing both sides is a win win situation for them, and the sheeple? well, they don't really know about that. The History of the Federal Reserve is not taught in school. Why is that?
LDavelewis 09:18:26 AM Jul 07 2008
As one of those greedy rich referred to, let me you remind all of you commies that inflation is a scourge that affects everyone in the economy. It is far more pervasive and pernicious than recession, which tend to be short lived and containable. That's why the Fed remains more sensitive to inflation and raising rates when appropriate.
CATFISHANDRAY 07:26:56 PM Jul 06 2008
To begin with a recession is never, ever good. No matter what economical experts say. The only people a recession helps are the dirty, filthy, greedy rich. Like the pond scum that are making a killing off of the foreclosures market. Buying up houses for pennies. Then waiting to re-sale those same houses when the economy picks back up. Many would say, "oh, there's nothing wrong with that, we're only trying to make a buck." That's a crock of BS. When anyone, anywhere makes money off of the poor's' and middle-classes' broken backs, their blood sweat and tears, those people should be shot. That's not a democracy, let alone capitalization. It's robbing the poor and middle-class blind.
Clean2020window 12:32:31 PM Jul 06 2008
ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN?? CAPITAL STARVATION!!!...................STOP THE FLOW OF TRILLIONS OUT OF THE COUNTRY TO THE OIL MONOPOLIES!!!!........12 BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH SPENT IN IRAQ,,,, BETTER SPENT ON DEVELOPING AND BUILDING A HYDROGEN REFUELING STATION NETWORK ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.....START WITH THE POSTAL SERVICE AND REPLACE ALL THOSE VEHICLES WITH HYDROGEN POWER(they need new ones anyway) .........AND THEN REQUIRE ALL GOVERNMENT VEHICLES TO BE HYDROGEN POWERED.....ONLY AMERICAN MADE......SELF SUFFICENCY IS THE WAY TO PROSPERITY.........IT IS THE MOST VITAL ISSUE OF NATIONAL SECURITY!!!!
setec5354 11:26:59 AM Jul 06 2008
Recession and depressions are cause by someone like the greed ,corrupt politicians and ceo's and their appetite on greed can never go away and what they cause becomes a domino effect which means everyone is effected.Enronization will always 100% be alive and well and events will keep proving it 100%.
PJGBLG 09:03:38 PM Jul 05 2008
We are in a necessary financial correction. The people who have worked hard, saved, and successfully invested, know this and aren't in too bad shape. Those who don't understand the economy and haven't prospered, are always looking for someone else to blame, mainly those who have done better than them. For losers, it's always someone else's fault.
Black Oxyder2003 08:16:19 PM Jul 05 2008
Spam is making a comeback thanks to this recession/depression
Juliesaltor 02:49:58 PM Jul 05 2008
if you haven't had your salary cut, you can actually take advantage of the businesses offering deals to consumers. i've been using Cityskoop.com to find which stores are having sales. Circuit City has an amazing sale now. Plus there are travel and food deals.