From today’s news, some interesting, albeit perhaps unanticipated, effects of the recession:
- From the “We Grow ‘Em Big Out Here On The Cube Farm” Department: At least there is one retailer who’s stock, or should I say inventory, is rising. The people that sell used cubicles. Yup, as businesses close down, all that old office furniture and cubicle parts are passed on to used office equipment resellers. So, if you want to turn your living room into a cube farm for that feeling of work, or you want to turn that spare bedroom into compact living space for those extra borders, do I have an offer for you?
- From the “And Speaking of Recycling” Department: Just like the used office furniture folk, another group is seeing falling prices for their recycled stuff. The folks that send trash to China for recycling. Prices for recyclables are falling. A ton of copper scrap now sells for $3,000, down from more than $8,000 in 2007. Tin is now selling for $5 a pound, down from $300. Paper has sagged by as much as 80%. So much for that green economy, but at least we might see fewer pipes ripped out of foreclosed homes.
- From the “Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?” Department: We all know consumer lending has dried up, and so has business lending. So where are businesses turning to meet their payroll. Microlending. Microlenders around the country say they are encountering a rush of inquiries and an increase in applications for their loans, which usually range from $5,000 to $35,000. So, the next microlending you do might be funding that business down the street.
In other news, Bristol Palin has broken up with her shot-gun fiancee and the father of her child, Levi Johnston. Now who didn’t see that coming?
