Hey Big Spender, Flaunt Your Scrimping

Columbus, Indiana, and Casper, Wyoming top employment list

(NEWSER) - Recession—that's a big-city thing, right? Several mid-size cities around the US are making an argument for their economic superiority, boasting job growth higher than the 1.5% national average in 2011. You may not know these cities well, but the Christian Science Monitor recommends them:

1. Columbus, Indiana: No, not Ohio's Columbus: Indiana's version had 10% growth from 2009 to 2010, making it the best economic rebounder during the Great Recession. Jobs are up 6.4%.

But most remain upbeat about their future: Pew survey

(NEWSER) - The economy is doing a number on those aged 18 to 34, according to a new survey from the Pew Research Center :

• Half say they have taken a job they didn't want.
• More than a third have gone back to school because of the job market.
• Nearly a quarter have taken unpaid work to gain experience.
• About a quarter have moved back in with the folks.
• More than 1 in 5 have postponed having a baby, and about the same number have put off getting married.

...according to economists, who share their forecasts with WaPo

(NEWSER) - We know the "what": The payroll tax cut is set to expire within days, meaning changes to jobless benefits and doctors who treat Medicare patients will kick in, and the average American will miss out on $40 a paycheck . The Washington Post explores the "what does it mean" side of things, discussing the consequences with economists. Should the policies be extended, about $140 billion would get pushed into the economy. In coming up with their calculations, economists have to make some assumptions about what Americans would do with that $140 billion, but the Post reports that growth would likely slow by 1% to 1.5%, and between 500,000 and 750,000 new jobs that would have been created won't be. More»

Reeling city puts almost all public assets up for sale

(NEWSER) - Pontiac, Michigan, is having a fire sale to raise desperately needed money. Up for sale is city hall, the police station, the library, cemeteries, golf courses, and on and on—just about every public asset, reports the Detroit Free Press . Pontiac has slashed its budget from $58 million to $38 million since an emergency planner took over in 2009, but it still has a $12 million shortfall. More»

A trip to outer space will run you only $200K

(NEWSER) - 'Tis the season for giving, and what better way to show your appreciation for someone then to bestow them with an absurdly lavish gift, presuming you are nestled high up into the 1%. Here are 11 of the most ludicrously expensive gift ideas, courtesy of Time :

• Pacifier, $17,000: Your baby will reign as the queen of daycare with this BabyWit pacifier, which is bejeweled with 14-karat gold and studded with diamonds.
• Space flight, $200,000: Send a friend on an extraterrestrial vacation via Virgin Galactic. The maiden flight is set for 2013.
• Diamond dog collar, $3.2 million: Adorn your pooch with this crocodile leather collar featuring 52 karats of 1,600 hand-set diamonds, from I Love Dogs.
• Personal submarine, $2 million: Celebrate the holidays 1,000 feet underwater in this miniature sub from Hammacher

• Schlemmer.