Archives of Monthly News Updates
for a
Time of Transition
Promising Signs
September, 2008 - December, 2009
December, 2009
* Real Story on Unemployment Washington Examiner 12/27 This is another sign of the back to the future image of a local Elm Street Economy.
*
Investors Eye Acres of Vacant Detroit Lots as Sites for Urban Agriculture
LA Times 12/27
The image for a post-industrial urban area is
exciting and inspiring
*
Households Take Up Challenge to Be Chilly
USA Today 12/14
We're doing this, too, but we're not down to 52
degrees yet.
*
Residents Rescuing Small-Town Retailers
Boston Globe 12/13
Towns across New England are stepping up to save their mom-and-pop shops and general stores, The Boston Globe (boston.com) reported.
*
U.S.
Green Homes Fuel Eco-Awakening
USA Today 12/4
* More Cities Push Scooter Commuting USA Today 12/6
November, 2009
* U.S. Residents Fight for the Right to Hang Laundry Reuters 11/18
* More Communities Change Laws to Allow Backyard Chickens USA Today 11/9
* The Public Isn't Convinced USA Today 11/4 Despite pronouncements that the recession is over and the economy is rebounding, the US public is buying it. More think it's deteriorating: 56% say the economy is poor, 46% say it's worse, both numbers are up from September.
October, 2009
* Galvanized by the Local Food Movement 20-Something's Are Turning to Farming Washington Post 10/25
*
Brooklyn Spawns First Urban Roof-Top
Commercial Farm
CBS Evening News 10/3 While this rooftop farm
in New York is exceptional, it is not unique. There are green roofs
sprouting up all over the country. In addition to having a supply of
healthy, locally grown in urban neighborhoods there are other benefits as
well including water conservation and protection of the roof.
* Despite Lower Gas Prices Car Buyers Are Sticking to High Mileage Cars More people are realizing gas prices will rise again.
September, 2009
* Promising Sign:
Will Savers Regain Spending Habits?
USA Los Angeles Times 9/21. While this article emphasizes how
crucial it is for people to start spending, it points out a promising sign
that the public is actually adjusting to the transition. "It's very clear
that consumers have hit the reset button. They re-evaluated their priorities
and separated their wants from their needs." Let's hope that is true.
*
Drunken Binge of Excess is
Over CNBC 9/16
* Fashion's Model Is Out of Style Los Angeles Times 9/11 "The flashy addictive fashion is becoming less and less relevant to people's lives."
* US Facing a New Frugality Los Angeles Times 9/11 Are we ready for smaller and simpler?
August, 2009
* They say it can't be, but look what's possible!
Los Angelenos Conserving Water and Power
LA Times 8/27
Los Angeles has significantly cut water and
electricity usage by installing energy-efficient appliances and compact
fluorescent bulbs to power the equivalent of 53,000 homes. Water usage drops
17% despite population increases.
* Online barter economy rockets more than 100% from
2008-2009
The Rise of the Barter Economy
Boise Weekly 8/26 This
ancient means of exchange increases disposable income, provides greater
appreciation for the true value of the goods and services, and finding an
increased sense of community.
* Back to the Future
They Getting Cheaper, Better Healthcare at Home?
LA Times 8/25
Reminiscent of medical care in the olden days when family doctors made house
calls.
* Urban homesteading catches on
They Are Laying Eggs at an Oakland Restaurant
LA Times 8/18
Neighbors in this community live, work, grow food in walking distance of
their home and local eateries.
* Town that learned long ago to be self-sufficient has
a community-based health system t provide quality care for less
Grand Junction, CO, Microcosm for Efficient Health Care
LA Times 8/14
This one example of what localization makes possible that could be done in
neighborhoods as well as small towns.
* A fantasy trip to 2049 gets one thinking
Apocalypse Later; I'm Going Local Now
Washington Post 8/11
Humorous view of a serious look at why we all need to start living local.
* Money spent at locally owned businesses
creates more local business
Local Currencies Cash in on Recession LA Times 8/11
Also see: More Places Mint Their Own Money Chicago Tribune 8/13
Local currency builds community and re-establishes local resilience by protecting protecting from global market instability.
* Study shows we're looking for happiness in the wrong
places
Staying Positive in Negative Territory USA
Today 8/6 This article reports how mental health
professionals are recognizing that we need to shift our perspective on how
to find happiness in life.
*
New breed of cattle perfect for family
homestead
Raise Small Breed Milk Cows Mother
Earth
8/3 One of these cows
provides
enough milk for drinking as well as for
making some cheese and
butter on a
weekly basis, plus a little left over to
give to a neighbor or
friend. The quality
of the milk is considered excellent.
Photo by Pat
Schout
July, 2009
* Money spent at locally owned businesses
creates more local business
Tough Times Lead to Local Currencies Daily
Time Magazine 7/32 Communities and their
residents all fare far better when money spent in local communities stays in
the local community. Local currency builds strong local communities. Too bad
times have to get bad before we do good things.
* Don't have money, but we've got
time; volunteering is on the rise
Economy Low, Generosity High USA
Today 7/28 Photo by Eileen Blass, USA
TODAY This looks like a snapshot from
the
future when money has become less
important and we do more for ourselves
and each other.
* Small scale local farming becoming a
national trend
New Generation of Farmers Gong Small Scale
Daily Camera 7/26
More evidence that this positive trend is catching on.
* Now that people are experiencing financial distress,
they don't want to be alone.
Recession Lesson: Share and Swap Replaces Buy and Grab
Washington Post 7/17 Since being alone will be
increasingly difficult in a lower-energy world, it's good that we're
instinctively moving in that direction
* Local utility at forefront of the local-is-better
movement begins providing 70% of its water from its own backyard
A Utility the Fills Its Own Aquifers
LA Times 7/20 Every home and every community needs
to be begin collecting its wasted +own water run off.
*
Young people find their calling in organic
farming
On
Tiny Plots a New Generation of Farmers
Emerges
USA Today 7/14 photo by Kevin Casey
Let's hope this trend continues. In his book
Peak
Everything, Richard Heinberg points out our
impending need for 50 million farmers.
* 47% of consumers say they already are living more
simply and are finding life richer living with less!
In Recession, a Simple 'Silver' Lining
USA Today 7/9 This is GREAT news that is
looking like a long-term shift in fundamental values.
* Belt tightening is underway; saving's up,
borrowing's down
A Fundamental Shift; Consumers Are Saving Rather than Spending
Los Angeles Times 7/9 This is more very good news,
but it also hints that the economy will face some difficult times in the
short terms as our economy adjusts to living within
our means.
* Banks pull back severely on card lending: new cards
down 38%
Banks Get Stingy on Credit USA Today 7/7
I know what terrible news this is for many merchants
and some customers, but it is a must if we are to begin living within our
means. See
U.S. Debt Shrinking at a Glacial Pace
Photo by Paul O. Boisvert for
The New York Times
* Developers are creating
subdivisions around organic farms to attract buyers
Organic Farms as Sub-Division Amenities
New
York Times 7/1
* Community gardens
in urban neighborhoods seen as source of future food security and much more
Urban Farming Movement Like a Revolution CNN
6/29
* Milestone for
consumers as they try to avoid
further debt
Consumers Opt for Debit Over
Credit
Cards NPR 6/29
June, 2009
* Milestone for consumers
as they try to avoid further debt
Consumers Opt for Debit Over
Credit Cards NPR 6/29
* Household savings hits
highest level in 15 years
Savings Rate Up Amid Slow Spending Denver Post 6/27
This is good news only if it's a sign that
Americans are choosing to live within their means and save for
emergency situation, so fewer of us could find ourselves only one
unexpected crisis away from falling into poverty. Actually it often means
that we have no other choice than to pay off our debts if possible, so it
should not be taken as a sign of renewed confidence and well-being, or
even that we have extra money to save. See
Debt Deflation in America.
* Young adults talk of not
getting enslaved to material goals of their parents' generation
Recession Generation? Young Adults Brace for Simpler Lifestyle
USA Today 6/26
* Number of homeschooled children
soars
Homeschooling Goes Mainstream
AFP 6/25 This is most likely the way of the future as
we localize and simplify our lives.
* Urban farming takes off.
Gardening Goes to Town in Farm City
AFP USA Today 6/25 There is a chapter on the Urban Thoreau in our book
Middle-Class Lifeboat.
It's one of the basic skills we are all be learning.
* Families getting quality beef for
$3-$5/lb direct from ranchers.
Cow-Pooling: Buying Beef in Mega Bulk
New York Times 6/15
* Chick hatcheries can't keep
up with urban orders, six-month back orders for household hens.
Back Yard Chickens on the Rise, Despite Neighbors' Clucks
Los Angeles Times 6/15
* Rust-belt cities explore plans to
shrink as population dwindles
Intriguing Plan: Bulldoze Ghost Bergs, Return Them to Nature
Alternet 6/13
Related story: Counties turn rural roads they can't
afford to repair to gravel. Chicago Tribune 6/12/
* Neighborhood and community fruit
exchanges grow in popularity.
Neighbor, Can You Spare a Plum New York Times 6/9
Many Transition communities are setting up
neighborhood fruit tree harvesting exchanges. We're hoping to start one this
summer here at
Let's Live Local.
* Difficult times call for creative
strategies. Cooperatively owned businesses emerged as a democratic,
grassroots, Do-It-Yourself response.
Worker
Co-Ops: Green Jobs You Can Own Organic Consumers
Association 6/6 Hope we will see more of this. We
have formed both a wood-pellet and organic food coop here at
Let's Live Local, which is a
non-profit.
* Community groups building local
food security
Look on the Bright Side Energy Bulletin Today 6/4
* Collaborative solutions making
for resilient communities
Community Kitchens
World Changing 6/3
* Stylist low cost green homes
catching
Prefab home Now Sprout Green Designs
USA Today 6/2
May, 2009
* Frugal shoppers rediscover eco
and recession-friendly shopping
Flee Markets, Swap Meets Draw Crowds
Los Angeles Times 5/30 The article doesn't
mention the environmental benefits of this form of recycling but it is
certainly a positive sign and something any community can easily organize.
* More people opting to repair what
they have than buy new ones
Appliance
Anxiety: Replace It? Or Fix It? New York Times, 5/28
Too bad getting repairs is expensive, frustrating, and
anxiety producing, but as more people do it, repair work will become more
user0friendly.
*We can create millions of jobs down on the farm
Family Farmers: The Return
Le Monde May 17-18 edition translated by Truthout "We
need to move our mental furniture around: agriculture is a sector of the
future." And we better get too it fast.
* Lawmakers
in at least 11 states and countless municipalities engage in a kind of
barter, splitting costs and sharing services
States Barter
Fish and Bullets to Save Money New York Times, 5/11.
* Private clubs losing members as
golf courses scale back
Golf Industry Feels the Crunch Democrat Chronicle 5/17
Golf is a healthy, relaxing sport, but it is also a
huge drain on water resources and with draught threatening food crops and
water supplies across the country, water conservation is increasingly vital.
* Economy brings generations
together.
Caught in
the Safety Net New York Times May 13
This is a trend we identified more than a
year ago in chapter in our book
Middle Class Life Boat
as
a positive emerging lifestyle, albeit not without some adjustments. 5.1
million Americans age 25 to 34 living in the home of a parent — a dramatic
increase over the 4.3 million who were doing so in 2004. Grandparents.com
survey reports of 4,800 grandparents, 12.5 percent reported living in the
same home as their grandchildren, and of those, 53 percent said that the
adult children and grandchildren who lived with them could not afford to
live independently. It's not just relatives, however. Also single parents,
divorced adults, older single women, etc.
* Urbanites 'farm in a barrel':
Raising fish and Growing Organic Vegetables
Green
Right Now ABC7 May 12
aquaponics,
combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing plants in a
soil-less system and brings farming to the backyard for a little as $200.
* No job, no home for family the
road is the home with other 400,000 American are full-time RV's.
The Road Is Home for Now USA Today, 5/18
Life on the road is one of lifestyles we f
showing how families are finding imaginative and rewarding ways to live
simpler.
* Introspection about America’s
“culture of consumption” is awakening Americans to the virtues of thrift
Shift in Savings May Be Downturn's Lasting Impact New York
Times 5/9
* Consumers seeking healthy
lifestyles go straight to the farm
Community Supported Agriculture Lets Customers Buy Produce Straight from the
Farm CBS Evening News, 5/9 This trend
is part of a buy local movement that is building local community resilience.
* Americans put away their credit
cards
Consumer Borrowing Falls at Fastest Pace in 18 Years
Baltimore Sun 5/7 It will likely be painful for awhile
as we change habits to live within our means,
but once the economy has reconfigured, we may well find ourselves with a
more sane way of life.
* Free eggs
or milk in the backyard so attractive, cities and
suburbs around the country are reviewing all manner of critter ordinances.
Envisioning the End of 'Don't Cluck Don't Tell' New York
Times 5/1
* Urban food gardens proliferating
on residential city lots
Edible Cities
You Tube Video 4/3
* Growing health, wealth, and
community by growing food
Building a Local Food
Economy You Tube Video 4/3 Its' not
back to the future. It's a new approach to raising food for local markets.
* Families surprised to
see small changes make big differences, saving costs while saving the planet
What Does Green Living Look Like? Seattle PI, 5/1
April, 2009
* 53% of Americans wealthy worry
they could run out of money; 78% report having experienced significant
impact to their long-term financial security; and as many as 52% of
America's wealthiest households are of the belief that they could lose
everything as a result of the current economic volatility.
America's Wealthy Altering Spending Habits.
Reed Business
Information 4/49.
This is only a promising sign
because it suggests that nearly everyone, including those with influence and
resources, are recognizing that there is as fundamental problem which must be
addressed.
*42% say our economic problems are
payback for overindulging; 38% say today's economy has shown them what's
most important.
Sour Economy Burst Bubbles USA Today
4/27/09, print edition only
* Activity is up as much as 40
percent at companies across the nation that link businesses that barter
Barter Is a Modern Trade,
The News &
Observer 4/18 We must begin moving to more
sustainable means of exchange and while local currency and Time Banks are
better options than barter businesses, this does indicate an openness to
consider new way options.
*Thrift stores competing with
mainstream retailers as shopper seek out less expensive clothing, furniture,
and household items
Business Booming at Thrift Stores, USA Today, 4/16
A better-yet sign of thrift would be the growth of
local neighborhood clothing exchanges
* Those who
focus on intrinsic values such as personal (not economic) growth, emotional
intimacy and community involvement, have far higher levels of wellbeing and
lower energy footprints.
The End of Consumerism The Ecologist 4/16/09
*People reassess priorities,
strive to become more self-sufficient
Economic Survivalists Take Root USA
Today, 4/15
* A front and back yard garden
registry stunningly popular
The Twiddle of Green Thumbs
LA Times 4/13
*A subset of savers are gleefully
frugal
Austere Times? Perfect New York Times 4/11
Now here is really great sign that we may be
changing to more sustainable ways of living!
*
Small-town
Americans are turning to a new livelihood with relish
Dogged
Pursuit: Professionals Find New Livelihoods
Wall Street
Journal 4/10
*Slow growth,
smaller communities doing better
What Recession? Places Like Sioux Falls,
SD, Prove Resilient LA Times
4/11 Now the key will be for others of us to follow
suit and for small, resilient communities to resist the temptation to grow
and grow, something it doesn't sound like Sioux Falls would have or will do
if they had the chance.
* We're getting rid of things that we don't
need or want
Garage Sales Are a Win Win in This Economy
LA Times 4/11
Though the article says most are doing this out of
necessity, not choice, perhaps recycling of unneeded belonging will become a
positive new habit.
*American cut back
on credit card us
New Consumer Borrowing Fell Sharply in February
USA
Today, 4/8
Granted this is not what Wall Street or the
administration are hoping for, but this is what Americans need to be doing
to shift into a new pared down, more sustainable way of life. Living beyond
what we can sustain is how we got where we are today.
*
Communities print their
own money to aid economy
Local
Currencies Keep Cash Flowing, USA Today, 4/6
Again, while some see this a sign of trouble, it's one
of the key steps local communities are needing to make to position them
selves for greater resilience and sustainability now and in the future.
These communities will be ahead of the curve in months to come.
March, 2009
*
Mediation
process could allow owners to remain in the home.
Banks Starting to Walk away on Foreclosures
New York Times/25
This may well not sound like good news to some, but this is one of the steps
Dmitry Orlov,
Reinventing Collapse, sees as essential to our re-establishing a
stable transition economy. When we first heard this idea we could only
imagine the possible benefits of families being able to remain in their
homes. We didn't think it would happen in our lifetimes though. Granted it's
only happening now in distressed areas, but more areas are becoming
distressed. This step needs to start sooner in the process and be done
responsibly and there might not be so many more distressed areas or people
living in tent cities.
* Good news! More Americans
becoming free agents
Layed Off:
Here's a Silver Lining USA Today, 3/25
This is indeed good news as it indicates that our economy is in route to
making the needed shift to a post-corporate, sustainable economy. As the
article points out this is good news for both the economy and for
individuals and families who will have more flexibility and control over
their lives.
*6 million consumers pare back on
"extras"
Cellphone Users Cut Back during Recession
USA Today, 3/20
Americans are starting to ask "Do I really need this?"
* New homes after doubling
in size are now shrinking as owners think smaller is better
Big Ideas Fill Small Homes USA Today, 3/20
* Consumers becoming more prudent.
Used Car Sale Rise USA Today, 3/17
*Americans are questioning the role
of rich
The Belief the Wealthy Are Worthy Is Waning
LA Times 3/10
"Americans consistently supported fiscal policies that
undermined middle- and working-class interests partially because they saw
themselves as rich-people-in-waiting: Given time, toil and the magic of
compound interest, anyone could retire a millionaire. That mind-set has all
but been eradicated by the damage sustained by the average worker's nest
egg, combined with the spectacle of bankers and financial engineers
maintaining their lifestyles with multimillion-dollar bonuses while the
submerged 99% struggle for oxygen."
*Saving money saving your favorite
shoes
Cobbling Together Show-Repair Savings Los Angeles Times 3/17
In a step away from a throw-away culture people are
having their shoes repaired instead of trashing them for new ones.
*Laid off workers building
business plans instead of resumes
Weary of Looking for Work, Some Create Their Own
New York
Times 3/6
If they are starting
businesses or self-employment in their local communities, this is a very
promising sign for the emergence of a new locally based more sustainable
economy.
* Even those with a regular income are
reassessing their spending habits, perhaps for the long term
Exravagance Has Its Limits as Belt Tightening Trickles Up
New York Times 3/9
Such changes in how we live will allow more time for everyone to adjust to
declining natural resources. If only we will.
* With a family
facing foreclosure every 13 seconds, new controversial legislation may help
House Vote to Let Judges Change Terms of Mortgages
USA Today 3/6
* Residents ban
companies from drawing or selling its water
Maine Town Takes
a Stand: Closes Tap on Water Privatization
Common Dreams, 3/2
And this is a good
sign, why? We can't live without water; it must remain a local resource
available to all.
February, 2009
* Obama to the nation: It's time
for the rich to lighten the load on the middle class
For the Rich This Is No Small Change LA Times, 2/28
* Swapping goods for services
thrives
For Work, that Will Cost One Laptop
USA Today 2/26
Why is this promising news? Hopefully it hints at
the possibility that we're learning that we need to change the way commerce
is conducted.
* Increased concerns about fuel
prices and global warming bring a return to the waterways
Interest in Marine Shipping Revives AP
February 23
Experts have long urged that waterways will be the
best route for transport in the future so it's good to see steps in that
direction are underway.
* Seed sales jump a people plant
"recession gardens"
When Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Growing
USA Today 2/20
* Clothes dryers account at least
6% of the electricity used by U.S. households, so line drying comes back
Is
Your Clothes Line Illegal? LA Times Feb 1
There are still prohibitions in some communities but
desire to line dry will spur change.
* Malls become the toxic spouse we
must divorce i
Our Love Affair with Malls Is Over
NY Times Feb 1
January, 2009
* Landfill disposals hitting a
record low
As Economy Slumps, So Does Trash Los Angeles Times, 1l25
* Community-based movement to halt
foreclosures are building
Resistance to Foreclosure Spread Across the Land
AlterNet 1l23
* People adopt
ancient practice of swapping stuff
Making Ends Meet: Back to
Bartering Review Journal 1/11
And this is promising why? Because we need to stop buying and borrowing and start exchanging products and services to strengthen our local economies. Want to know more about this perspective, see Reasons for Good Cheer by Sharon Astyk, 1/13.
*
People are planting a new generation of victory gardens
Echoes of Victory Los Angeles Times, 1l10
* Local food coop expands
Community
Food Coop Establishes Stronger Foothold in Grocery Industry
The Bellingham Herald 1/4
*
Are McMansions
going by the wayside?
Downturn Could Alter Tastes in Housing
LA Times 1/3
*
Debt collectors
pressed to lower rates and balances
Credit Card Companies Wiling to Deal over Debt NY
Times 1/2
*
Economy forces
many to weigh what's important
Resolutions Take an Outward Turn in Tough Times
USA Today 1/1
*
Newest strategy matches up homeowners
House Swaps Gains Popularity in Slow Market
USA Today 1/1
December, 2008
* Americans have long assumed that our kids will earn more than we do. That's colliding with harsh economic realities but it doesn't mean the good life is gone.
The Upside of Downward Mobility CNN Money, Fortune Magazine
12/29
This may read like a negative article, but keep
reading. There is an upside worth our reflecting on.
*SUV sales slump 40%
Nearly End of the Line for SUV's
New York Times
12/24
*
Community banks
see huge cash infusions
More Bank Customers Think Small These Days
USA Today 12/22
Why is this promising? It's a sign of people are
turning to smaller, local community institutions where our future security
ultimately lies and where we can personally hold those involved accountable.
* Obama establishes a task force on the Middle-Class headed by Joe Biden.
"The one thing that we use as a yardstick of economic success of our administration: Is the middle class growing? Is the middle class getting better? Is the middle class no longer being left behind? And we'll look at everything from college affordability to after-school programs, the things that affect people's daily lives. I will be the guy honchoing that policy," Biden tells ABC's "This Week."
*
Land banks, a
sign of what is to come
GM Bust Turns Detroit into Urban Prairie of Vacant Lot Farms
Bloomberg 12/8
*
Chickens add one
more element to green living in urban surroundings
City Living with a Farm Feel Los Angeles Times 12/6
*
They may
be talking funny money, but it's not funny business
2 Neighborhoods Consider Printing Own Currency for Exclusive Use in Local
Stores Chicago Tribune 12/3
*
Public libraries on the up swing for books and dvd's
More People Checking Out the Library to Save
Los Angeles Times 12/3
Hope this will
another yet another thrifty habit that will hang around as we adjust to a
more sustainable economy.
* Habits
developed while gas prices were high are sticking
Fuel Is
Cheap, but We're Still Saving It
Los Angeles Times 12/2
This is unlike in past gas hikes when old driving habits have returned
quickly with drop in prices. Analysts say maintaining our new driving habits
is driven by fear. Let's hope they are driven by smarts.
*
Personal savings rate is up, especially among young
people
Downturn Has More People Stashing Cash
USA Today 12/1
Will this lead to a new savings habit? Some say yes.
*
A reawakening: 230 people show up on a frigid night to
participate in a suburban farm alliance
The
Spirit Moves on the Land: Locally Grown Produce
NY Times
12/1
*
Americans are too depressed about their
own finances to entertain themselves by watching shows about money
Obnoxious Wealth Now a Turn Off
Iacona Research 12/1
November 2008
*
More US companies offer cash incentive to bike to work
Pedaling to Work Gets a Push
USA Today Times
12/1
*
Avoid a depression by restoring parity for storable
commodities
Family Farms Pulled
Us Out of the Depression
Common Dreams
11/22
* Americans Whittle Pennies in an Attempt to Perform
Cost-Benefit Analyses on Their Needs
Failing Home Economics
San Francisco Chronicle
11/19
OK, so we've forgotten how to be frugal, but we're trying and that means we'll be learning. See the next article.
*
People are learning again to say 'No, not today.'"
The New Frugality: Americans Return to Thriftiness San Francisco
Chronicle
11/19
"...scrimping may be good for stressed family budgets, but it's bad for the nation's overall economy," this article points out. So what's wrong when a good economy that's bad for its citizens? See our Blog: We Should Be Asking.
* Economic slowdown has trimmed consumption
Electricity Bills Fall with Natural Gas, Oil Prices
USA Today 11/5
*
American's cut back on the burden of spending.
An All Consuming Fever Statement
Los Angeles Time
11/2
Also see our Blog
Set Your Burden Down.
* Grocers are devoting more shelf space to local produce
Locally Grown Food Sounds Great but What Does It Mean?
USA
Today 1028
OK, so they've got a ways to go in defining "local," and for that matter "organic," but at least buying from within one's state is closer than the 3000 mile salad ingredients so common to many stores.
* Americans find alternatives to credit cards.
Bad Economy Is Good for Bartering
US News & World Report
10/31
* More Governments Coming to Evicted Renters' Rescue USA Today 10/28
* Shifting priorities to things we actually need.
Acute Economic Crisis May Cure Chronic Materialism
LA Times
10/26
Also on this topic see our blog. The Missing Connection