Our financial system is crumbling this week.

[Hungary Jack]

I am telling you, Groupon is a WMD in class warfare. It enables mass exploitation of hapless sole proprietors and other small businessi.

[haltz]

I'm actually considering this $99 dinner for two deal at the Ritz on travelzoo. 2 apps, 2 entrees, a bottle of wine and dessert.

[Michael]

I'm actually considering this $99 dinner for two deal at the Ritz on travelzoo. 2 apps, 2 entrees, a bottle of wine and dessert.

Be sure to tip 14.85 dollars.

I kid, I kid.

[lukethedrifter]

Seems like half of Perryville has knocked on our door trying sell us firewood this fall/winter, with amped up persistence. All the storms last year may play a role, not just economy. We weren't going to get any, since we don't use the indoor fireplace much anymore, and I can usually forage enough sticks and scraps for the outside pit. But then they dropped it down to $40 for the load we normally pay $80. It was like a hillbilly groupon.

Misanthrope.

That's what Perryville does every year. Not sure how you've missed em in the past.


Wondering about how the Euro value is going to affect my trip to Ireland. Buy Euros now or hope it continues to sink vs the USD?

[Freed Roger]

Seems like half of Perryville has knocked on our door trying sell us firewood this fall/winter, with amped up persistence. All the storms last year may play a role, not just economy. We weren't going to get any, since we don't use the indoor fireplace much anymore, and I can usually forage enough sticks and scraps for the outside pit. But then they dropped it down to $40 for the load we normally pay $80. It was like a hillbilly groupon.

Misanthrope.

That's what Perryville does every year. Not sure how you've missed em in the past.

Oh we haven't missed them in the past. If we aren't home, feign not home, or are just outright nonresponsive they will come back. They are some of the best salespeople.

We usually had 3-4 Perryvillites come by per season, each claiming to be our wood guy. FWIW, It's already about double that.

[Hungary Jack]

I heard The Economist will soon publish an economic indicator based on the selling price of Perryville hardwood. Rumor is also that the CME will offer futures and options contracts on this commodity.

[greenback44]

One of my economic indicators: We're getting our asses kicked on the recruiting trail for interns. It's been a few years since that was the case, suggesting the job market is getting a bit better. But it's only a bitter, as this also means other companies are loading up on temp workers.

[planet planet]

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/ ... -of-anger/

Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum, in a recent report, named the growing income divide as one of the biggest risks facing the world in the years to come.

“In developed economies, such as those of Western Europe, North America and Japan, the social contract that has in recent decades been taken for granted is in danger of being destroyed,” the forum said in its report, warning of the threat of a “dystopian future for much of humanity.”

[Freed Roger]

on the topic of China -the growth rate has to end sometime. Should their economy hit the skids - that will cause something seismic - won't it?

[longhornbaseball]

on the topic of China -the growth rate has to end sometime. Should their economy hit the skids - that will cause something seismic - won't it?

It would be bad, no doubt, but I don't think a downturn in the Chinese economy will create the same kind damage that a US or European downturn does. Their financial markets aren't very liberalized and they don't consume nearly as much as the other two giants. It would be bad for commodities, obviously, but I don't think a Chinese downturn would do as much damage to the US economy as most people seem to think. I'm not sure, though.