The prophets of doom are out in full force this year, predicting a sustained downturn in the economic cycle that will see people around the globe tightening their belts and cutting back on expenses.
The rising price of fuel isn’t helping matters, and it seems like bicycle manufacturers are best poised to cash in on the energy crisis.
Its at times like these that the powers that be kick us when we’re down and start taxing those things that make life tolerable.
Beer: A beverage with important medicinal qualities, which includes the ability to help you forget that there’s an economic crisis, and in moments of extreme distress and at high doses, everything else.
Unfortunately the drive to produce bio-fuels is driving the price of beer up as the production of barley and hops become more expensive. Beer price increases represent perhaps the greatest crisis ever to face the male population of the United Kingdom.
Price of a pint in 2007: £2.50
Price of a pint in 2008: £4.00
Increase in price: 60%
Cigarettes: The fact that cigarettes kill can make them an attractive accessory during times of economic crisis, where a tax and rent free afterlife starts looking like an attractive option. What’s more, cigarettes are certified stress relievers and give punters something to do when they can’t afford a beer.
However, cigarette smokers are under serious threat, not only from the health police, but also from the government, who react to any financial crisis by increasing taxes on cigarettes. This probably massively increases stress related deaths in the UK, and is probably intended to cull the adult population in the hopes of reducing unemployment.
Price of a pack of 20s in 2007: £5.33
Price of a pack of 20s in 2008: £5.50
Increase in price: 3%
Movie Tickets: You can’t smoke, and hanging out with your mates at the pub is no fun when you can only afford one drink. So you decide to go watch a movie, relying on Hollywood to help you forget yourself and your troubles for the best part of two hours.
There’s no logical reason that movie ticket prices should increase, but when there’s a price increase bandwagon, you’ll find the majority of retailers are more than willing to jump onboard. Once you’ve paid for tickets you won’t have enough cash left over to afford popcorn (which has also gone up in price - see biofuels crisis).
Price of a movie ticket in 2007: £4
Price of a movie ticket in 2008: £5
Increase in price: 25%
Sports Betting: Fortunately, there are some guilty pleasures that are immune to recession cycles. Foremost amongst these is the cost of placing a bet on your favourite sport. Online betting is also eco-friendly as it consumes no resources, and isn’t even affected when the price of thoroughbred horse feed goes up.
Sports betting does more than adding spice to top sports encounters on television. It is also the only one of the pastimes we have mentioned that can give you something back.
While beer rewards your purchase with a hangover, cigarettes offer emphysema and movies give you nothing more than memories, a punt can actually fatten your wallet.
Price of a £10 punt at 8/1 odds in 2007: £10
Price of a £10 punt at 8/1 odds in 2008: £10
Price increase: 0%!! And still a recession beating return!
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Bob Henry
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