Despite signs that some housing markets are improving, the overall trend is for home prices (and values) to keep dropping—and dropping. As values shrink, more and more homeowners find themselves underwater, the unfortunate scenario in which one owes more on the mortgage than the home is worth.
Gasoline, food, and all manner of consumer goods cost more in Germany than they do in the U.S. So why is it that the average German consumer spends significantly less than his American counterpart?
Apparently, some flashy entertainment and interactive fun are likely to put shoppers in the mood to buy.
Divorced couples are living under the same roof because it’s too expensive to really split up right now. There are either more people around the house (because they’re out of work) or fewer people around the house (because they’re working second and third jobs to pay bills and get health coverage). More people are doing their own chores and giving maid services and landscapers the boot. And other big and little ways the recession is affecting home life.
