Trends from SF... Stretching Dollars in Unique Ways

So, I haven’t posted in AGES – yes AGES! Lame, I know. Instead of adding Flack Noise to the blogosphere, I wanted to share some trends I’ve been seeing from my new hometown, Fog City, otherwise known as SF.

· A short-term migration of top talent to Thailand, where single executives are reportedly heading to wait out the market while extending their severance packages and unemployment checks. You can live in luxury in Thailand for less than $2K/month—a pittance to the six-figure earners now on the dole.


· Gourmet goes “homemade” as laid-off executives look to fill their schedules and save a little dough by hitting their local farmer’s market to collect low-cost ingredients to create such treats as gourmet olives, olive oils and exquisite breads… I know of some gourmands who are even creating their own aperitifs from grain alcohol and ingredients—like lemons and fennel—picked from local crops! It’s all part of the Underground Gourmet scene.


· More low-cost glasses of wine on the menu as vintners look to offload excess inventory by passing deals down to local restaurants. I also hear that wine aficionados can’t enough of the bold, risky Syrahs coming from Washington State.

· A revitalization of Sun-In, the hair lightener sold at drugstores as consumers pinch pennies on salon visits. And/or the return of naturally-colored hair. And while we’re talking fashion, I expect natural, naked, buffed nails as mani/pedi budgets get cut.


· A huge summer for cinema. The troubled economy, the still lingering effects of the TV writers strike, plus the tent-pole blockbusters that are due out mean Hollywood will be ringing up at the box office. And, 3-D will have its best year yet with more jump-off-the-screens content hitting the big screen.