What's up in a down economy?

This week’s news that we’re now officially in a recession and have been for a year may come as no surprise to those of you who have been reading newspapers, watching TV, or had a conversation with another working American in the last few months.

But as most things turn downward, we’re paying attention to some trends that are moving upward.  Here are a few things that are up in a down economy: 

Cheap food

You might have noticed more junk mail in your inbox as Internet scams are on the rise but Spam, the original canned meat product made famous by Monty Python and astronauts looking for something to complement their Tang, [added comma] is expected to reap some serious profits this year.

According to the New York Times, it’s boom times at the Hormel Foods Corporation that manufactures the canned recession-proof meat. Factory workers are racking up overtime working seven days a week to keep up with demand.

Other comfort foods that offer comfort to a marketer’s budget are also up so many Americans may be looking to incorporate macaroni and cheese, Jell-O, and Kool-Aid into their Christmas dinners.

Old habits

New Year’s resolutions are still a month away but it looks like more Americans will be promising to kick the smoking habit come January 1. A recent survey by the American Legacy Foundation found that some former smokers report they are starting to smoke again because of stress over the financial situation.  And many current smokers are smoking more on a daily basis.

Second-hand merchandise

It might be cold outside but yard sales are heating up. While it’s slightly awkward to pick over old books and mismatched dinnerware in your coat and mittens, in some places the yard sale season is stretching well beyond the summer months as shoppers look for deals and sellers hope for extra cash.  And though most other commercial retailers are facing a slump in sales, profits are up at Goodwill centers which offer more value than discount stores to desperate customers.

Career alternatives

A financial crisis might be just the excuse some people need to invest in their educations. Business schools are expecting record levels of interest for next fall’s entering class.  Those MBA applicants may have been advised that no matter what happens with the job market in the next two years, more education will lead to more employment opportunities.  And military officials think the recent rise in military recruitment comes from the same pool of workers looking for alternatives.

Shared living spaces

You may have shared a house with a dozen other co-eds in your college days but now many Americans from Louisiana to California faced with the challenge of keeping their homes are now renting out spare rooms or bunking up with tenants.

-Jamie Rubin