Positive effects of a recession

Sound like an oxy moron? That’s what I thought. But according to an article I ran across over at Bankrate titled “10 reasons to love a recession”, there are actually pain releivers for the economic pain that is caused during a recession:

1. Family dinners
2. Shorter gas lines
3. Less junk mail
4. More coupons
5. Free fitness
6. Bargain SUVs
7. Business startup opportunities
8. Growth in gardening
9. Musical inspiration
10. New perspectives 

See, a recession is not as bad as it sounds. Right? I hate to say it, but that is dead wrong. Check out an article I ran across over at CEPR (Center for Economic and Policy Research) that highlights the many negative effects of a recession. They talk about even a minor recession having major negative effects on employment, health insurance, inflation, etc. 

So even though there are some (but not many) positive effects of a recession, Jay MacDonald, who wrote the article on Bankrate I mentioned above, put it well:

“We may not be the ideal stewards of the planet yet, but we’re making progress. Temporary setbacks like recessions prompt our collective course corrections.”