The recession is over in Europe and things are stabilizing in the U.S., according to the headlines.
Europe forgets recession (Forbes)
Eastern Europe sees hope in Western growth (Wall Street Journal)
Economists say recession may be over (NPR)
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Are you average? According to the National Retail Federation, the average household with students in grades kindergarten through 12 is expected to spend $549, down from $594 last year.
I read an interesting essay in Newsweek that says psychology plays an important role in charity. The more direct a connection we have with the person in need, the more likely we are to help them.
But what I found most interesting was the essay’s final statistic: people who give are more likely to be happy. Reading this made me wonder if frugal people, i.e. you and I, are more likely to give than the spendy?
In other words, are we one big, cheap, happy family?
And yes, I will admit that while writing this post I took a moment to donate $250 to my favorite charity, Heifer International (which gives animals to poor people so they can sell eggs/milk/wool), so I could vote affirmatively. Peer pressure also increases donations!
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