The Recession Issuehttp://www.good.is/Recessions might feel all doomy and gloomy, but they're also times of great innovation. Here's a few tips to help you make it through.Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:13:36 -0800CakePHPhourly1en-us <![CDATA[GOOD Redesigns a Reader's Resume]]> http://www.good.is/post/good-redesigns-a-readers-resume/ http://www.good.is/post/good-redesigns-a-readers-resume/ In our Recession Issue we offered to spruce up the resume of one lucky, design-challenged (or time-strapped) reader. The winner: performing arts professional and good sport Brooke Stelmazewski. GOOD's own Atley Kasky stepped up to the plate for the design work. See the makeover, and design tips from Atley, below.

BEFORE



AFTER



ATLEY'S DESIGN NOTES

"Establish clear typographical hierarchy-treat different types of information differently, treat the same type of information the same. This helps the reader move through the resume from one point to the other: name to education to experience, and so on.

Introducing a second typeface can help to bring attention to critical elements while adding a commonly overlooked but visually compelling contrast.

Utilize bold and oblique (italic) versions of your selected typefaces carefully. The goal is to let them support your structure instead of adding more complexity.

Typographic rules (horizontal lines) can help break up different kinds of information and help the reader quickly find what they are looking for.

Center justified is not always a good thing, in fact, it often obstructs the flow of reading.

Keep flair to a minimum. The resume is a tool and with that, we suggest function over form: legibility of vital information should not be compromised by decorative or background elements. We decided to maintain a hint of pink because it retained and communicated a little personality.

Consider your white (negative) space. The negative space on a page is as important as the information on it. A resume is a representation of yourself; control the content and the space around it through both editing and design." ]]> In our Recession Issue we offered to spruce up the resume of one lucky, design-challenged (or time-strapped) reader. The winner: performing arts professional and good sport Brooke Stelmazewski. GOOD's own Atley Kasky stepped up to the plate for the design work. See the makeover, and design tips from Atley, below.

BEFORE



AFTER



ATLEY'S DESIGN NOTES

"Establish clear typographical hierarchy-treat different types of information differently, treat the same type of information the same. This helps the reader move through the resume from one point to the other: name to education to experience, and so on.

Introducing a second typeface can help to bring attention to critical elements while adding a commonly overlooked but visually compelling contrast.

Utilize bold and oblique (italic) versions of your selected typefaces carefully. The goal is to let them support your structure instead of adding more complexity.

Typographic rules (horizontal lines) can help break up different kinds of information and help the reader quickly find what they are looking for.

Center justified is not always a good thing, in fact, it often obstructs the flow of reading.

Keep flair to a minimum. The resume is a tool and with that, we suggest function over form: legibility of vital information should not be compromised by decorative or background elements. We decided to maintain a hint of pink because it retained and communicated a little personality.

Consider your white (negative) space. The negative space on a page is as important as the information on it. A resume is a representation of yourself; control the content and the space around it through both editing and design." ]]> GOOD Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:00:41 PDT <![CDATA[Jobless? What Now?]]> http://www.good.is/post/jobless-what-now/ http://www.good.is/post/jobless-what-now/

So it's a recession and you've lost your job.


First things first: You're not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people have already found themselves out of work in 2009, and some are estimating that the unemployment rate could reach 10 percent or more by the end of the year-the highest it's been since the early 1980s. So while this is cause for extraordinary alarm on a national scale, for you personally, you're just living the sad 2009 version of the American dream.

The second thing to remember is that while you should be pounding the pavement looking for new work-to stimulate the economy and your sense of self-worth-you can't be doing it 10 hours a day. No matter how much effort you put in, you're bound to find yourself with a few stray spare hours. So what's an unwaged person to do? Between trips to the breadline, here are some ways to make your temporary furlough more productive, without spending much money.

Volunteer
Seriously, can you think of a better way to spend your unpaid hours than improving the lives of others? Change.org lets you search for opportunities by cause; Volunteermatch.org let's you search by zip code, and even has online opportunities - give back in your underwear! Think of it as a down payment on good karma for the year.


Learn something new
As long as you still have internet access, the web abounds with resources for the autodidact in you. Instructables.com offers tons of DIY projects, as does Make.com. Learn a language for free at Languageimpact.com. Search YouTube for "guitar lessons" or any other instrument that interests you. And MIT offers all its courses online for free at ocm.mit.edu. Check out iTunes U as well, for courses from other colleges.


Entertain yourself
Being jobless doesn't mean you have to punish yourself by not having fun. In fact, it's probably more important than ever for you to unwind a little. Check out the impossibly comprehensive TV-streaming selection at surfthechannel.com. Also: Remember libraries? Most now loan CDs and DVDs in addition to books. And if you have the option: have sex. It's great exercise and releases mood-altering endorphins (though contraception is extra). In some cases-which we don't condone-you can even get paid for it.]]>

So it's a recession and you've lost your job.


First things first: You're not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people have already found themselves out of work in 2009, and some are estimating that the unemployment rate could reach 10 percent or more by the end of the year-the highest it's been since the early 1980s. So while this is cause for extraordinary alarm on a national scale, for you personally, you're just living the sad 2009 version of the American dream.

The second thing to remember is that while you should be pounding the pavement looking for new work-to stimulate the economy and your sense of self-worth-you can't be doing it 10 hours a day. No matter how much effort you put in, you're bound to find yourself with a few stray spare hours. So what's an unwaged person to do? Between trips to the breadline, here are some ways to make your temporary furlough more productive, without spending much money.

Volunteer
Seriously, can you think of a better way to spend your unpaid hours than improving the lives of others? Change.org lets you search for opportunities by cause; Volunteermatch.org let's you search by zip code, and even has online opportunities - give back in your underwear! Think of it as a down payment on good karma for the year.


Learn something new
As long as you still have internet access, the web abounds with resources for the autodidact in you. Instructables.com offers tons of DIY projects, as does Make.com. Learn a language for free at Languageimpact.com. Search YouTube for "guitar lessons" or any other instrument that interests you. And MIT offers all its courses online for free at ocm.mit.edu. Check out iTunes U as well, for courses from other colleges.


Entertain yourself
Being jobless doesn't mean you have to punish yourself by not having fun. In fact, it's probably more important than ever for you to unwind a little. Check out the impossibly comprehensive TV-streaming selection at surfthechannel.com. Also: Remember libraries? Most now loan CDs and DVDs in addition to books. And if you have the option: have sex. It's great exercise and releases mood-altering endorphins (though contraception is extra). In some cases-which we don't condone-you can even get paid for it.]]> GOOD Fri, 6 Mar 2009 17:23:17 PST <![CDATA[Well, Is It Or Isn’t It?]]> http://www.good.is/post/well-is-it-or-isnt-it/ http://www.good.is/post/well-is-it-or-isnt-it/



This is, you've heard,


re•ces•sion |ri'se sh ?n|

A recession is most simply defined as two consecutive yearly quarters of reduction in GDP. In the United States, a think tank called the National Bureau of Economic Research determines, after the fact, whether or not we are in a recession.

de•pres•sion |de'pre sh ?n|

There is no official definition, but general consensus requires GDP to decline by 10 percent or more, and the economic slump to last three or more years. Suffice it to say, we aren't there yet.



Recessions might feel all doomy and gloomy, but they're also times of great innovation. All of the following wondrous things were created, perfected, or completed during recessions or depressions: the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower, the U.S.A. trilogy by John Dos Passos, Social Security, Scotch tape, the Polaroid Corporation, FM radio, the modem, New Wave music, MS-DOS, the iPod, and the artificial heart.]]>



This is, you've heard,


re•ces•sion |ri'se sh ?n|

A recession is most simply defined as two consecutive yearly quarters of reduction in GDP. In the United States, a think tank called the National Bureau of Economic Research determines, after the fact, whether or not we are in a recession.

de•pres•sion |de'pre sh ?n|

There is no official definition, but general consensus requires GDP to decline by 10 percent or more, and the economic slump to last three or more years. Suffice it to say, we aren't there yet.



Recessions might feel all doomy and gloomy, but they're also times of great innovation. All of the following wondrous things were created, perfected, or completed during recessions or depressions: the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower, the U.S.A. trilogy by John Dos Passos, Social Security, Scotch tape, the Polaroid Corporation, FM radio, the modem, New Wave music, MS-DOS, the iPod, and the artificial heart.]]> GOOD Wed, 4 Mar 2009 19:59:12 PST <![CDATA[The Recession-Proof Pantry]]> http://www.good.is/post/the-recession-proof-pantry/ http://www.good.is/post/the-recession-proof-pantry/

The five best non-perishable cheap "meals."



Smoked Oysters

Shelf life: Several years

Nutritional value: Loaded with protein, iron, and good fats. Slap them on Saltines and call it a complete meal.

Upgrade: Sardines ($3.20). Undoubtedly the classier option, they're also more sustainable.

 


Kraft Dinner

Shelf life: Check the box

Nutritional value: The first ingredient is "Enriched Macaroni Product," and half a box contains days' worth of salt. But it packs some calcium and fills you up.

Upgrade: Annie's Deluxe Elbows & Four Cheese Sauce ($3.50). Throw in a tomato and some basil, and it's practically gourmet.

 


Dried black beans

Shelf life: Two years

Nutritional value: Excellent source of protein, fiber, folate, and thiamin.

Upgrade: Taco night! Throw in an onion, chili flakes, Tabasco, and some fresh cilantro, mash with a fork, then plop them into a traditional corn tortilla  ($3 for 30 tortillas).

 


SPAM

Shelf life:
Nutritional value: This salty porkish product packs a protein punch. Just don't look at the ingredients.

Upgrade: Prosciutto. It's pricey and isn't as filling, but it tastes a hell of a lot better and keeps for ages. Another option: all-beef kosher franks ($5).

 


Chickpeas

Shelf life: Forever

Nutritional value: Jammed with protein, iron, fiber, and manganese (which helps you produce energy).

Upgrade: Buy some tahini ($3), garlic, and lemons and make your own hummus.]]>

The five best non-perishable cheap "meals."



Smoked Oysters

Shelf life: Several years

Nutritional value: Loaded with protein, iron, and good fats. Slap them on Saltines and call it a complete meal.

Upgrade: Sardines ($3.20). Undoubtedly the classier option, they're also more sustainable.

 


Kraft Dinner

Shelf life: Check the box

Nutritional value: The first ingredient is "Enriched Macaroni Product," and half a box contains days' worth of salt. But it packs some calcium and fills you up.

Upgrade: Annie's Deluxe Elbows & Four Cheese Sauce ($3.50). Throw in a tomato and some basil, and it's practically gourmet.

 


Dried black beans

Shelf life: Two years

Nutritional value: Excellent source of protein, fiber, folate, and thiamin.

Upgrade: Taco night! Throw in an onion, chili flakes, Tabasco, and some fresh cilantro, mash with a fork, then plop them into a traditional corn tortilla  ($3 for 30 tortillas).

 


SPAM

Shelf life:
Nutritional value: This salty porkish product packs a protein punch. Just don't look at the ingredients.

Upgrade: Prosciutto. It's pricey and isn't as filling, but it tastes a hell of a lot better and keeps for ages. Another option: all-beef kosher franks ($5).

 


Chickpeas

Shelf life: Forever

Nutritional value: Jammed with protein, iron, fiber, and manganese (which helps you produce energy).

Upgrade: Buy some tahini ($3), garlic, and lemons and make your own hummus.]]> GOOD Mon, 2 Mar 2009 16:18:03 PST