If there is one upside to the economic downturn, it is the downfall of what was once assumed to be the resilient market for luxury pet goods. Dog and cat lovers are used to having ridiculous, often useless products foisted upon us. But in the last few years we have also had to endure a parade of come-ons for a keeping up with the Jones' dog approach to pet ownership. Happily, that may end.

In 2005, Paw Luxuries Magazine proudly launched as "the only magazine devoted to the world of high-end pet products and luxury pet services." Somehow before that us dog and cat people had to get along without "a stylish photographic essay, showcasing dazzling designs from the trendsetters of the pet world." And we'll have to find a way to get by without it; Paw Luxuries is gone. (Though The Pet Elite and Luxury Pet Living survive.)

No doubt, we're all spending more on our pets as they've become a bigger part of our families. When I was growing up, my dog Peanut was lucky to get an occasional rawhide stick. Now my dog Jolly has an assortment of meat-based treats -- like Dr. Becker's Bison bites (which are like a meat Pringle). He's also a senior with arthritis, so he has coats and even beds for all weather.

But what sellers of luxury pet goods fail to understand is, I'm willing to spend a lot of money on something I think will make Jolly comfortable or happy or even amused. I'm not interested in spending money to get a dog status symbol or fashion statement or piece of dog cuteness.

These are ugly times for the newspaper industry. The internets, plummeting classified advertising revenue and a generation that's grown up playing Nintendo over their breakfast cereal instead of reading the daily comics have all conspired to send the newspaper industry into its death throes.

So the news that the New York Times, the venerable Old Grey Lady, has begun selling ads on its front page, is not so very surprising. It's the last major paper to do so, in a grasping attempt to keep itself afloat. The company is looking to mortgage its building, and is actively shopping its stake in the Boston Red Sox baseball team, according to media reports.

The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, many other leading newspapers took to selling ads on the front page long ago. The New York Times was the lone holdout, perhaps because of its reputation as the gold standard of journalism. CBS bought the first ad, but the company won't tell it's own reporter how much it paid. At least it was below the fold.

I don't suppose many readers will care. This is the sort of twist that makes old newspaper people grimace, mostly because we were taught that the line between editorial and advertising is strong and never to be broken. On the other hand, newspaper companies have to do what they can to survive. And the front page of the Times is prime real estate, so to speak. No matter what the kids today are reading, (or not), world leaders still get the New York Times with their morning coffee as a matter of course.

Two new programs caught my eye recently, recession-fighters by vehicle companies who aren't spending their time driving to D.C. for a handout. Perhaps this kind of thinking will help reverse the downturn in transportation sales. I hope so.

The first company is Hyundai, which over the weekend made a ton of ad buys to promote Hyundai Assurance. This program allows purchasers of new Hyundais to walk away from their loan in the event they lose their job within the next twelve months. Since the value of a new car drops considerably the moment it is driven off the lot, the company wisely built into the program coverage of up to $7,500 of negative equity. This means that, as long as the value of the car (as determined by Hyundai) is no less than $7,500 less than the amount owed, the purchaser can cut it loose without obligation. Say goodbye to the downpayment, though.

The second company is Harley-Davidson, which has been hit hard by the recession and the credit crunch. Since many new Harley riders start with the least expensive ride in the stable, the Sportster, the company is currently offering those who buy a new Sportster now the right to trade up within a year to a Dyna, Softail, VRSC or Touring model and receive the entire new value of the Sportster in trade. This is a good deal for the rider who is hot to join the HOG ranks but worried about his/her present finances.

This kind of thinking shows that companies that are willing to confront the recession, rather than withdraw into a shell, can create programs to give their dealers a fighting chance to move some iron.

Detroit, I'm looking at YOU.

With the average baseball ticket costing $25.40, NBA ticket at $48.83, an NFL ticket at $72.20, and NHL seats at $48.72, it's no wonder sports fans have a difficult time making it through the turnstiles at stadiums and arenas across the country: Their wallets and purses are being picked.

Some teams such as the New York Yankees are giving fans a break at a few exhibition games, and the Golden State Warriors last month offered seats for $10 for one game. But those deals are just the beginning of good things to come in 2009, predicts The New Republic, not your typical sports publication. It calls 2009 the Year of the Sports Fan.

For the 10.3 million unemployed people in the United States who are looking for a job, one of the most frustrating aspects of a job hunt is waiting for the phone to ring. Especially after an interview. And especially after an employer says "We'll call you soon."

I know. I've been doing it for six months, and have reluctantly been keeping the national unemployment rate at 6.7%, according to the latest figures from November from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And although I don't have a full-time job yet, I do have some ideas on how to get that callback and can explain some of the frustration job seekers are experiencing.

The first thing to remember is that looking for a job, and awaiting word on whether you're successful or not, is like dating. Beyond waiting for the phone to ring, the interview, or date, plays in your head over and over again as you over-analyze it and try to come up with better ways to present yourself if you get a second chance.

In the best of times, it's easy to imagine that commodities and currencies are stable, unchanging things. After all, if gold was worth $400 an ounce yesterday, there is no reason to imagine that it will be worth a great deal more or less tomorrow. Similarly, if the dollar was able to buy a certain amount of goods or services last week, then one can be forgiven for imagining that it will be able to buy a comparable amount of goods or services next month. In good times, prices don't fluctuate all that much, and we can make long term plans, secure in the belief that the economy or the markets won't leave us holding the bag.

Unfortunately, the past few months have been a long, painful lesson in the pitfalls of currencies and commodities. When the value of gas skyrocketed and the value of the dollar plummeted, prices that had long been stable began to bounce up and down. Stocks that were once worth a fortune were suddenly devalued, while gold that was once worth a reasonable amount was suddenly worth a whole lot more. In the midst of this crisis, some necessities began to look like luxuries and thrift once again became a virtue.

Everywhere you turn, it seems that the economic news is dismal. As foreclosures and college tuition costs skyrocket, while jobs and 401K's evaporate, what are Americans doing about it? The answer may surprise you: they're checking in with psychics.

The reason is simple on the face of it. Lots of people want someone to tell them what to do. Should I sell my house, downsize and relocate, cash in the remnants of my stock portfolio? Should I tell me daughter that she will have to start at a community college because I'm not sure that I can pay the mortgage and still help her with tuition?

Here's what a legitimate psychic will tell you: "I don't know. I can't tell you what you should do. I can only tell you what you're going to do."

I've been a psychotherapist for 35 years. Most of that time, I've been fascinated by the paranormal. I've worked with psychics and mediums in the United States, England and Israel. I travel nationally doing seminars about psychic events in the lives of clinicians and clients. Here's what I know.

Inquiries to attorneys and financial advisers about such issues as how to protect property during a divorce are increasing dramatically in China on fears of a prolonged recession, according to a Reuters story.

You've probably heard of the long-held tact of holding off on asking for a divorce until after the holidays in order to give relatives and any children involved a peaceful Christmas. And with the holidays now over, couples now face a double whammy with a global recession in full swing. According to the Reuters story, it looks like low home values and a recession can strain marriages, leading to divorce.

Wealthy spouses were looking to strike a deal while asset values were down, the China Daily reported.

"While facing tough financial times is not usually the main reason couples split, it can serve as the last straw for already strained marriages or add new concerns to divorces under way," the newspaper said, quoting "marriage advisers."

The China News Service reported the number of people seeking divorce advice increased 30% in the second half of the year. A worker at China's first marriage and finance firm said it is receiving many questions about how to avoid paying off debts after the divorce and that telephone inquiries have increased from 200 to 300 in recent months.

But the high cost of divorce in China may be putting some off, considering the difficulty of selling their homes at a reasonable price and maintaining two separate households.

There were 2.1 million divorces in China in 2007, nearly seven times the figure in 1980 when nationwide economic reforms were launched, the China Daily quoted the Ministry of Civil Affairs as saying.

Aaron Crowe is an unemployed journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Read about his job search at www.talesofanunemployeddad.blogspot.com

If there's a recession going on someone forgot to tell Penthouse. The parent company of the men's magazine, FriendFinder Networks, is betting softcore porn and the need for companionship will remain profitable through the recession.

The company, which had been well known for explicit adult images, has shifted to softer photo-spreads, which have attracted a wider readership. On top of this the publishing giant has snapped up several dating and adult hookup sites, further expanding its reach and income. The company is so confident in its market niche that it is scheduled to go public in 2009.

How is it succeeding? Well it seems that economic woes are sending more people in search of companionship; the FriendFinder Network has more than 270 million members across a wide demographic. The conglomerate's reach includes AdultFriendfinder.com, a site designed exclusively to help adults find adults for "adult activities" to the less risqué Bigchurch.com, which helps Christian singles find others of like mind, presumably for other "adult activities." Like Scrabble, maybe.

Just having members isn't enough to go public, especially in a faltering economy; but when a company can boast an average monthly revenue of $19 per subscriber as well as a large portfolio of advertisers, suddenly that company becomes a sought-after investment opportunity.

How many times have you heard these same tired suggestions from the press about how to save money in today's tough economy? Brew your own coffee instead of visiting Starbucks. Cut out trips to the mall. Watch DVDs from the library rather than going out to the movies. I believe those making these suggestions misunderstand why we do what we do. It's not about the coffee, or the shopping, or the movie; it's about being with people. We are social animals, and isolation is an anathema to us. Therefore the loss of a job is a double blow, to our wallets and to our tribal identity.

So instead of suggesting ways to save money that further isolate you in the time of your distress, I thought I'd pass along some suggestions on how to get your social fix and still rein in your budget: -

• 1. Go to church. I don't mean to push any religion; in fact, there are churches, for want of a better name, that do not require the acceptance of any particular doctrine, yet provide plenty of social opportunities. Sing in the choir, take part in discussion groups, dance groups, card parties, service projects. Most churches expect donations commensurate with your ability, and if you've fallen on hard times, they won't kick you out of the door.
• 2. Volunteer your time. Many volunteers donate their time and effort to enjoy the company of others of like mind, and you should be able to find opportunities that match your interests while costing you nothing but time.
• 3. Build your education. Local schools often offer free/very inexpensive night classes, as do libraries and city parks and rec departments. Some state agencies fund retraining, too.
• 4. Join recreational groups instead of gyms. In most towns there are groups that bicycle, hike, bird-watch, play kickball, pitch horseshoes.... and the cost to join/participate is minimal.
• 5. Form your own circles. Reach out to others that are isolated and schedule regular get-togethers. Sack lunches together at a city park or mid-day coffee klatches in one another's homes will be much more satisfying that a hour at the local Sbux, and cheaper, too.

In hard times, our greatest resource is the support we give to one another. Don't let a flat wallet keep you isolated from other people. Go out and dance with some strangers.

This coming New Year's was supposed to start with a bang for me -- literally. It was going to be the year my husband and I were finally going to make that baby. When we first discussed the time line a couple of years ago, my clock wasn't ticking that fast and 2009 seemed like an ideal year to start. But then 2008 didn't turn out to be the ideal year for our finances. My income as a freelance writer came in at a slower pace, and even though my husband had graduated from school, job interviews are few and far between. So for New Year's, we'll open up a bottle of (cheap) champagne, but that will probably be the only cork that pops.

Our situation is far from unique. I found this Los Angeles Times story profiling couples who say the recession is forcing them to put off baby-making for the time being. It's nothing new to put off having having kids during hard financial times, but it was hard to determine how to come up with the money to raise a kid properly even before Wall Street and the housing market tanked. College tuition is the ultimate balloon payment, of course, but more and more parents I knew are only focused on private school for K-16.

While 2008 may well go down in history as the start of the current recession, it looks like 2009 may be the year of the four day work week. Many companies, struggling to stay afloat, are turning to a compressed four day work week. By cutting everyone back, companies are able to cope with reduced demand and still keep a healthy pool of skilled employees. Sadly, by cutting a day off of the workweek, they are also cutting employee pay up to 20%

As BusinessWeek looked into the trend, it also found that many companies are taking extended breaks over the holiday season. This isn't just happening at larger companies like Dell; smaller companies like the one my father works for have been closed since last Friday, a week longer than normal. Additionally, when they return in January they will be moving to 4-9 hour work days in order to cope with reduced demand. The story isn't much different where my father-in-law works, with an extended break and shifts being shortened across the board.

While cutting a day off of the work week without adding hours on to other days is a hardship for employees, I am glad to see so many companies work to keep more of their workers employed. If you have been shifted to a four day work week and you suspect your employer will still have to make cuts in the near future, make use of your time off. Having a free day during the week is an excellent time to schedule an interview or pick up some part time work to make up for hours that have been cut.

It's hard to believe that not nine months ago so many of us were clamoring for a four day workweek to help save ourselves and our companies from record high energy costs.

The recession may be hurting many retailers this holiday season, but the malls, restaurants and restaurants in Tucson, Ariz., are busy with Mexican shoppers pouring across the border to buy more products at lower prices that they couldn't' find at home.

Even with devaluation of the Mexican peso against the dollar, and having to spend a few hours in traffic to cross the border into the United States, the deals are worth it to the Mexican shoppers, according to a story in the New York Times.

"We can find everything we want and it's much cheaper," Aurelia Peralta told the Times. Peralta, 38, traveled to Tucson from Hermosillo, a city of 700,000 about 200 miles south of Tucson. She said that popular Christmas gifts cost twice as much in Hermosillo.

For Americans looking to turn the tables, deals have often been found in Mexico on medicine and drugs that don't need a prescription, along with dentistry, some surgeries. But be wary, bringing illegal drugs back, such as steroids, can lead to legal trouble, as it did for Jose Canseco. Last summer, when gas prices were high, Americans were driving across the border for cheaper gas.

Retailers across the board are reporting weaker sales this holiday season as shoppers have less money to spend on gifts and on themselves in this ugly economy. There is one exception, though. Craft sales are much stronger this year, as folks turn to do-it-yourself projects and handmade goods to save money on gifts.

In years past, maybe you spent $10 or $20 on each of your gifts, but when you can't afford to spend like that anymore, it's time to get creative. You can make your own gifts for the cost of some inexpensive craft supplies, or you can buy directly from crafters if you're not so talented with knitting needles and glue sticks yourself. Etsy, the popular website for buying and selling handmade goods, has seen a real boom in both listings and transactions this holiday season. Sometimes it's more expensive to buy handmade goods, but etsy is a great place to find less expensive but still high quality merchandise. I did a lot of shopping there myself this year!

I don't know how much money it will save, but at least Caterpillar Inc. is making a move that might improve employee morale by announcing it will cut executive compensation by up to 50% next year, according to an Associated Press story.

The mining and construction equipment maker has already laid off employees, and plans temporary factory shutdowns and more layoffs as needed. As someone who was laid off, (not by Caterpillar but at a newspaper) I think cutting executive pay sends a message that everyone is feeling the pain and that executives who make as much money in a month as a floor workers does in a year are not immune from the recession.

Pay for senior managers at Caterpillar, based in Peoria, Ill., will also be reduced next year by 5% to 35%. Other management and support staff will see their pay cut by up to 15%. The planned reductions are part of its incentive program and equity-based compensation. A hiring freeze is also in effect and merit increases for managers and support employees are being suspended.