More casualties of the recession are piling up. Most notably, our commutes are longer and our marriages are suffering.
Pretty depressing.
Let's tackle the commute thing first. According to census data, Americans now face an average commute of about 25.5 minutes, the first time it's increased since 2000. It's no surprise really, with jobs scarce, we're all willing to drive a little farther for a paycheck. Not only that, with high gas prices and dwindling incomes, more people are willing to carpool or take public transportation, even if it adds considerably to their commute times.
The percentage of people who drove alone to work dropped last year to 75.5 percent, the lowest in a decade, as commuters grew weary of paying close to $4 a gallon for gasoline and opted to carpool or take public transportation.
Even less surprising is the affect the recession is having on marriages, well, on the number of weddings happening anyway. According to this article:
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans 15 and over, or 31.2 percent, reported they had never been married, the highest level in a decade. The share had previously hovered for years around 27 percent, before beginning to climb during the housing downturn in 2006.
The never-married included three-quarters of men in their 20s and two-thirds of women in that age range. Sociologists say younger people are taking longer to reach economic independence and consider marriage because they are struggling to find work or focusing on an advanced education.
It's funny when you compare these stats to the wedding fever that was taking the economy by storm at the height of the bubble economy.... you remember, the $100K receptions with 300 guests, gourmet meal, martini bar and a full orchestra? You know, when America's brides were convinced that their entire marriage would be ruined if a dozen white doves weren't released at the end of the ceremony? I got married during that time, believe me, I remember!
My, how times change.
How has your life changed since the recession started?
That's right. Today's recession strapped couples are forgoing the extensive registries and asking for the money instead. After all, who wants a set of bone china placesettings or a marble cheese board when you're having trouble making rent?
It appears that I may have gotten married at the wrong time. That's right. I got married almost exactly a year ago. You might remember those times. That was back when everyone still thought that if they bought a house, it would rise in value. The financial crisis was just a glimmer on the horizon, nothing to worry about, right? 
