After reading a recent report from the BBC stating that the current recession may have more negative than positive effects on our dating life, I started thinking about whether this was really true. Yes, money worries can be a huge obstacle to relationship building, but as the author of the report, relationship psychologist Susan Quillam, points out, surely animal attraction offers the most reliable and least expensive source of comfort when times get rough, right? Keep reading »
It seems that all anyone is talking about lately is the economy, so why is money still such a tough topic to discuss with your nearest and dearest? They say married couples fight over money more than anything else, but what about when you just started dating? That’s possibly even more awkward. Keep reading »
New York governor David Paterson plans to target those who download porn with a sales tax. Previously, Paterson had proposed a so-called “iPod tax” aimed at those downloading music, movies, and software. Now, it turns out, that plan also includes taxing porn downloaders or those who buy their porn via pay-per-view cable. Interestingly, the tax would only apply to New York smut purveyors. The planned sales tax is a whopping 4%, which may be too steep for those who are already trying to cut back on their porn diet during these lean times. And pornographers aren’t too happy about the tax, either. Steve Hirsch, the CEO of Vivid Entertainment, one of the adult industry’s biggest production companies, says: “The last thing any of us need is an additional tax.” During the recession, “These are very difficult times and nobody can afford to lose even one customer.” Or, for that matter, one masturbator. Keep reading »
So this morning, I picked up my laundry from the dry cleaners and the bill: $299.58. I’m not kidding. Granted, 1) my lazy-ass boyfriend was in charge and took every article of clothing he owns, and 2) I just moved to the tony Upper East Side of NYC, where dry cleaning a dress costs $18. You can buy a cute dress for $18. I was ready to buy a washboard and head to the East River with my laundry basket, when I discovered there are actually many clever ways to save money on dry cleaning…
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There are only four days left before the start of Hanukkah and only eight days left before Christmas. And we bet you could use a little extra cash to buy gifts. Our list will get you some money with little effort. Most of the things on the list will only take you a day to complete. So stop being lazy so you don’t have to be cheap, ya hear? Keep reading »
You thought you had it all figured out. Marry a rich guy, you’ll never have to work, and you can spend the rest of your life shopping. Unfortunately, the global recession has thrown a wrench into your well-crafted plans. Now that sugar daddy bank accounts are shrinking, trophy wives are discovering they may be s*** out of luck when it comes to living the good life. In the UK, a trophy wife named “Katie” finds out she’s going to have to cut back on her mani-pedis and seaweed wraps — not to mention having her black AmEx snipped in half. “You loser!” she screams at her husband. “You’ve destroyed my life!” Trophy wives are becoming “Toxic Wives,” as their love for their significant others dwindles in tandem with their hubbies’ bank balances. Divorce rates are rising, and “for richer, for poorer” no longer applies. One wealthy husband turned to his wife in the middle of the night and asked her if she’d love him if he lost everything. Her reply? “F— no!” As it turns out, most toxic trophy wives aren’t leaving their husbands to join the work force. They’re looking for new rich men to replace the newly poor ones. [Telegraph] Keep reading »
This week, the female blogosphere is abuzz with chatter over a story by a college senior in Philadelphia entitled “My Sugar Daddy.” According to “Melissa Beech,” the pseudonymous author, she’s your average, upper-middle class girl: “I was blessed to have been raised with class, sent to the best schools, and taught to be well read, well spoken and well traveled.” During college, she worked in retail and as a waitress, but she spent more than she earned and the economy was tanking. When she set out to find a “real” job, she encountered a man who made her a different kind of offer: a “Mutually Beneficial Arrangement.” In a nutshell, he forks over around $5,000 a month, they travel together, he takes her to fancy hotels, and they have sex. He was already looking for such a relationship as a member of SeekingArrangement.com. Beech believes what she’s doing isn’t prostitution: “women have used their wiles and charms to get ahead for years.” So what do you think? Is she a smart girl working a recession to her advantage — or a call girl in denial? Keep reading »
Because the stock market and the economy are so volatile right now, people are looking for any kind of guidance they can get — even if that means turning to the supernatural. According to a New York Times article, psychics and astrologers are doing big business these days, with clients paying anywhere from $75 to $1,000 an hour for a little insight. While we love our Kiki T and her advice, we can think of a few things that would make us feel better than knowing we’re going to lose another chunk of change this week. After all, a psychic’s advice about the stock market lasts for a day, but a horse bit necklace is forever. Keep reading for 10 alternative ways to spend $75 that will make you feel better about yourself, if not the world… Keep reading »
Making green, spending green and lacking green are all on everyone’s minds these days, especially since the holidays are approaching and our economy hasn’t crawled out of the crapper, yet. Since this recession may have you a little depressed, we decided to lift your spirits with a bit of music. You know, money makes the world go ’round, but so does a banging beat or hot melody. Listen to songs (in no particular order) that will help you forget your money troubles and others that will help you lament your lack of ducats, after the jump. Keep reading »
Unless you’re living in a cave somewhere in, I don’t know, rural Alaska, far, far from civilization, you’ve probably noticed that our economy is in the crapper. And despite last week’s presidential election of Barack Obama and his message of change and hope, it will take some time before things stabilize and we’re back on track. In the meantime, many of us are choosing to embrace our inner recessionistas, shunning the big-budget shopping sprees and pricey meals out that we may have enjoyed in the past in favor of clothing swaps and cozy dinner parties in. But quaint as all that sounds, it isn’t always easy to go from spendista to recessionista, to save for a rainy day instead of splurging on a cute, new pair of Wellies the second we spot anything less than clear blue skies. After the jump, a few tips to try in the next 30 days to help you find your own inner recessionista and jump start a new lifestyle of living large, but spending small. Keep reading »
