Fine, the market is turning around, if you choose to believe Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. I don't always take the word of a college dropouts or 80-year-old Nebraskans, but I'll make an exception for these two with the caveat that the "economy" generally lags behind the stock market by 18 months or so. How does that help an unemployment rate in the mid 9 percent range? Does it make it easier to make ends for you and me? Does it make relationships easier? No, but it does make us get creative. This time around, consider window-shopping. Read More

Great news, gang. Ben Bernanke says, "Even though from a technical perspective the recession is very likely over at this point, it's still going to feel like a very weak economy for some time." While that's a little like saying, "I'm going to be a good, honest husband from now on but you probably won't notice," I find a modicum of comfort in the bearded guy's words. But "feel like a very weak economy" means spending on "non-essentials" like dates is going to have to remain curtailed. Cheap Dates During The Recession

Not to worry, here's an idea of … Read More

Well, President Obama sure seems "fired up" and "ready to go," but that doesn't change our 9.7 percent unemployment rate. (Note: I've always found the unemployment rate calculations to be a bit fishy.) While various recovery stratagems are sure to kick our economic woes to the curb any day now (cricket sounds...), we need to make do in the short run. Which means your romantic life is going to have to get by on metaphorical ramen noodles, powdered dairy and boxes of Franzia. Read: Cheap Date Idea: Cook From Scratch (You Can Do It)

But when the going gets tough, the … Read More

Despite assurances to the contrary, it still feels like this economy of ours lacks the pizzazz, the robustness and the jazz hands-edness that previous fiscal eras had in spades. They had champagne for breakfast and we have Donaghy Estates sparkling wine. They had gold-plated diapers and THE Bruce Dickinson and we have Jimmy Fallon manning The Tonight Show. They had Escalades for Everyone and we have Cash for Clunkers.

Just because we don't have the drunk-sailor spending capacity that those jerks did five years ago, doesn't mean we can't have a good time. We just have to … Read More

Let's face it: The economy may be improving, but blast that lagging economic indicator—unemployment is around to stay, at least for a little bit. And while you may have plenty of time on your hands, the reality is that, more likely than not, your pockets will be a little bit emptier than desired.

Never fear, necessity is the mother of invention! And there are plenty of ways you can save money on a date (without looking like a cheap skate). Clever, low-cost date ideas will get you out and about in the world with your sweetheart and allow … Read More

Hey hey. Good news. Over at the New York Times, super sourpuss Paul Krugman thinks the economy may have cratered. Mr. Brightside warns that before we all buy jet skis and charter flights to Monaco to realize things are still grim. Saving more and spending less is a pretty good policy. But dating, mating and the whole relating shebang are tough to do without spending dough. That's when you gotta get creative. 

This time around, technology is your buddy (unless they took you job!). Try creating a blog with your spouse or your new (or old, … Read More

Periodically, things go really well. Property values grow at unprecedented rates. The S & P 500 grows 13% year over year. And, once in a blue moon, a single pretty good (but not great) idea will catch the right executive's eye and move someone from the creative class into the realm of the nouveau riche (and they will buy Jet Skis for all of their friends). Then other times, the unemployment rate more than doubles inflation and the best solution anyone can think of is to tax high-earners in excess of 50% of their income. In the latter scenario, romance, … Read More

Good news: the economic big brains (except for Dr. Doom(s), Nouriel Roubini and Marc Faber) think the market is heading for a rebound and that typically precedes a general rebound by 12-18 months. Bad news: joblessness has hit 9.5%. While the statistics and methodology for determining joblessness borders on pseudo-science, it's a bad sign indeed. So people will have to continue drinking powdered water (just add water) for the time being. But how do you keep the relationship (the old ball and chain) fun during these times of woe? "Be creative and keep your peepers peeled" is how.

Our pahtnahs (sound … Read More

You know what's a real bummer? When the economy is depressed and the only fiscal Prozac we've been prescribed is time-released, baby (Did you only an estimated 11% of the "Stimulus" dollars will be disbursed in 2009, per the Congressional Budget Office?). But, we're humans so we do what men and Muppets do best: persevere. We take joy (not just solace) in small pleasures and learn from the situation (note: savings have increased over the last year and spending actually increased in May 2009, hopefully a portent of good things). But, for now, we have to make romance on … Read More

Sometimes the stock market increases 15% year over year. Sometimes we bump up interest rates because growth and inflation and moving too quickly. And sometimes ordinary people buy unaffordable houses with strange loan products because the home is guaranteed to double in value (in a short, short time). That sometime is not today. While the country's fiscal vitality is showing signs of a perk up (except for a certain symbolic flagship auto manufacturer, that is), us ordinary Toms are having a tough go of it.

Rather than cry in our Mad Dog 20/20, we can make our own fun. We don't … Read More