Valentine’s Day is so much more than the chance to let someone know how much you love them. It’s also an entire industry that supports businesses with hundreds of thousands of employees. Billions are spent annually on flowers, candy, jewelry, balloons and cards for Valentine’s Day, making it one of the sweetest days of the year for many retailers. Take a graphic look at Valentine’s Day…by the Numbers.
Recessions tend to be discussed mostly in broad, sweeping, generic terms. Either the recession is a blessing in disguise or, more frequently, an avoidable catastrophe from which you will never recover. In reality, recessions may have a huge impact, moderate impact, or virtually no impact on you depending on your skills, priorities and station in life. The only way to prepare yourself is to know the relevant facts as they relate to you. To that end, BillShrink has researched the 10 most volatile careers to be in during any recession. If you’re in one, tread carefully or consider changing careers. If you’re deciding on a new career, you may want to avoid these!
Nothing is easier than identifying problems during recessions. In fact, one might argue that what is truly difficult is avoiding mention of these problems, which are shouted from the rooftops daily by politicians and journalists. (Many of whom harp on problems even during prosperous times.) Still harder is calling attention to the overlooked benefits that economic downturns can bring. In this recession as in others past, opportunities have opened up for consumers, investors and businesses positioned to capitalize on them. Typically, these opportunities require seeing the recession as it specifically relates to you, rather than the all-encompassing malaise often seen by others. Here are 7 of the most appealing recessionary opportunities.
Traditional working hours vary greatly around the globe, based on both economic and cultural differences. The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development just released their study on average annual hours worked per worker in 2008, showing us which countries have their nose to the grindstone and which ones are more often found smelling the roses.
“When I grow up, I want to be a principal or a caterpillar.”
- Ralph Wiggum
Though most people probably don’t grow up wanting to be a farmer, a minister, or a caterpillar - farmers and ministers are considered by many to have some of the most prestigious occupations in America. On the other hand, while occupations such as being an actor or an entertainer may seem glamorous, these are not occupations that are held in as high regard by the American public. Below, you will find a list of the ten most (and least) prestigious jobs in America, how much they earn, and how you can land them.
Some of America’s largest cities have experienced a rapid decline in employment in the past year with the collapse of the finance, real estate and automotive industries. To put each metropolitan area’s situation in perspective, we have put together a map showing the comparative rates of unemployment along with the year over year change from May 2008 to May 2009. It is apparent that some of the sharpest increases in unemployment have occurred in the largest markets for each of these failing industries.
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