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Outsourced chores feel the effect of the economy

nytimes.com — Businesses like salons and dog walkers are feeling the pinch as the economy makes more Americans self-reliant.

Who dugg this? Made popular Jan 18, 2009

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28 Comments

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  • T8erT0T, on 01/18/2009, -0/+20I told my dog to get a haircut and get a real job. It was for the best.
  • GoKings, on 01/18/2009, -0/+12This just in... Industry feels the negative effect of a severe global recession... More at 11
  • novenator, on 01/17/2009, -1/+11I think *every* sector of the US is feeling the pinch from this quasi-depression. Except maybe the top 1-5%. Everything is related in our economy, everyone is going to suffer from this.
  • duggdowncatisad, on 01/18/2009, -0/+10It's pretty obvious that optional things like the dog walker and the cat groomer and the $200 haircuts would be the first things to get cut back on in today's economy.
  • inactive, on 01/18/2009, -0/+8Aye. Masturbation is far cheaper then a happy ending.
  • psteve4, on 01/18/2009, -0/+8It isn't just industries that do services like these. It is all sectors that aren't absolutely necessary. A golf course in my area is closing and I have seen a few locally owned gyms go down too. The first thing people cut out of their spending is stuff like that.
  • Barackalypse, on 01/18/2009, -3/+10Don't worry, the Government will be stepping in shortly to make Americans less self-reliant! Bailouts for all, and health care too!

  • mhearne, on 01/18/2009, -0/+7Funny, but I didn't, I just clicked on the link and went there. It really wasn't that interesting, it just tells about a lot of nouveau riche who are going to have to do their own laundry and dog walking again.

    After what I've lived through, I really just don't feel that sorry for them.
  • GavinZac, on 01/18/2009, -0/+6Actually, we're feeling the recession here in Ireland too, and our salon is actually doing very well at the moment. People are cutting back on the big capital expenditures, shopping in cheaper supermarkets and so on, but they seem to want to maintain or even improve their expenditure on beauty treatment. For a lot of people, they get the same buzz out of a new haircut or tan job that they would out of a new car, except 100s of times cheaper.
  • redskyformiles, on 01/18/2009, -0/+6 Americans self-reliant?
  • lovemorgul, on 01/17/2009, -1/+7This is just outsourcing with a feel good twist.
  • inactive, on 01/18/2009, -1/+5Its called Spam *****..
  • vidaliasweet, on 01/18/2009, -0/+4A good segment of our population has been doing these things for themselves for a very long time. Otherwise, the supplies wouldn't already be on store shelves.
  • sensibledriver, on 01/18/2009, -0/+3But, but, Obama...
  • SHUUTOBI, on 01/18/2009, -2/+5Got to register to view the article... Buried.
  • xero69, on 01/18/2009, -0/+3"But beyond oil changes, there is little most car owners can do themselves because automobiles have become so sophisticated."

    I call bs. Get a helms Helms shop manual + odbI or odbII reader from ebay. Then you can use google from there to see if the repair is too complex for you. Many auto shops will loan you specialty tools for FREE with a fully refundable deposit on your credit card. It's all about your patience and willingness to learn new things. I bet most people have neighbor who is handy under the hood and don't even know it.
  • xero69, on 01/18/2009, -0/+3We cooked and ate our dog after we both lost our jobs. We're saving a ton on dog food, vet bills, and grooming!

    /s
  • DeskFlyer, on 01/18/2009, -0/+2OH NO I HAVE TO WALK MY OWN DOG BAAAAAAAAAW

    Gimme a ***** break.
  • wpyh, on 01/19/2009, -0/+2Except McDonald's.
  • tainted, on 01/18/2009, -0/+2Why don't people just go back to the days of bartering? Rather than paying for chores getting done, give other incentives -- like sexual favors! choresforbjs.com hahaha
  • DarkCloud515, on 01/18/2009, -2/+3Um, no?
  • ducktomguy, on 01/17/2009, -2/+3wat?
  • parker3773, on 01/21/2009, -0/+0Consumer discretionary, those extras that we purchase when things are good, always suffer during recessions. That's why all of us who invest change our portfolios to consumer staples like healthcare and food.
  • VirtuallySteve, on 07/20/2009, -0/+0Is it really outsourcing that's the issue? Or is it any luxury service? We are keeping our money tightly locked away in our wallets but things still need to get done. Great article and it reflects the pain we are feeling.

    But outsourcing can help save money and time. My company, Eos Solutions, (www.eosvirtual.com) provides outsourced administrative services and communications services to small, home based or mobile based businesses. There is a need and an interest for small companies to pay money to get outsourced services, especially in today's economy. New to Digg - once I figure it out I will post an article about the virtual office. thks
  • Coolaborations, on 01/18/2009, -2/+2could you please explain what you mean when you say spam?

    normally, I would say spam is NOT relevant -- maybe there's something I don't understand about what you consider to be spam?

    I consider Google results to be spam -- the results are completely useless. SEOs get paid by old media so that old media can rank on Google -- that's what I call spam.

    Could you also explain how "*****" is supposed to help me understand what you mean -- or would asking that question leave you speechless?

    Thanks for trying to help -- but I still don't get it... :S
  • Coolaborations, on 01/18/2009, -2/+2I wish digg would let me see who gives positive / negative feedback to my comments.

    Seems to me like it's pretty easy to behave like a sniper or terrorist on digg.com -- and I feel that is wrong.

    Could anyone explain to me: What is wrong with making an offer that is related to the topic (small business services)?
  • inactive, on 01/18/2009, -4/+1'That's not the way the world really works anymore, ''We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.''
  • Coolaborations, on 01/18/2009, -7/+2If you would like to be listed on http://errands.biz please let me know (via digg or contact form)

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