Some businesses benefit from bad economy

UNDATED (WJRT) -- (05/11/08)--On Mother's Day weekend, retail analysts expected consumers to spend less than normal to thank mom.

With food and gas prices on the rise, the National Retail Federation expects people to buy fewer gifts -- or less expensive ones.  But even in lean times, there are always businesses that find a way to turn a falling economy into a fortune.

Tough times can also be booming sales if you are in the right business.  Some investors see a wave of bankruptcies as a chance to go shopping for deals, but it's not just lawyers and financiers who can do well when the rest of us do badly.

The number of cars repossessed in the U.S. has gone up 15 percent over the past two years, which is great news for repo men.

"I'm just in a different kind of industry where it warrants for me to live a little bit better when the economy gets bad," said Mark Castellucio of TMA Recovery.

Pawn shops and marriage counselors also see a bump when the economy gets bumpy.

"We hate to see it that way but the fact of the matter is when people are having difficulties, they do reach out for help," said psychologist Roalind Dorelen.  "A recent survey found money is the major cause of stress in three quarters of American families."

There are also beneficiaries to bad times that lay outside the obvious.  For example, cosmetics sales tend to go up when the economy goes down.

"You may not be able to buy that pair of shoes, but lipstick makes me feel fresh," said shopper Julia Wise. 

Some women say it can be a small price to pay to feel good when it seems like everything else is going south.

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