Laid-off LAT editor counts her recession blessings

Ann Brenoff writes on the L.A. Times op-ed page that "without question, the recession changed my life for the better." Not that becoming an involuntary ex-Los Angeles Times writer and editor didn't come as a shock.

I am living the effects of the recession while you are just observing it from the sidelines. Everything about our lives — yours and mine — is different. You take vacations involving airplanes and hotels; I travel on miles and house swap. You dine out in restaurants for convenience as much as pleasure. For me, meals out are generally things that other people buy me. You probably don't even double-back home if you forget the grocery coupons on the kitchen counter, and I suspect you don't know that Ralphs has eight-hour specials on Thursdays at which you can find some great manager's deals in the meat aisle.

I also doubt that you wait for LivingSocial to run a $39 dental exam special to get your teeth cleaned. Heck, I'd bet no one has even told you that thrift stores are the new Bloomingdale's and that if it's fame you want, well, CNBC featured me showing where I found a 100% cashmere sweater with the Saks label still in it for just $5.

Barter? I do it all the time. It's how I get my son coached, my closets organized, my websites built and the dog groomed. I live in a world where everyone knows that February is $5 foot-long sandwich month at Subway and only fools enter Macy's when it's not a One-Day Sale.

And herein lies the rub: It's not that I can't afford to pay for all those things. I just know better now.