It's possible some agencies may yet be able to spare some employees from furloughs or at least minimize days of unpaid leave.

CNN: Obama, Republicans clash on forced spending cuts

"We're looking for people of all ages - people who may be able to spare half an hour a week or a day a year, " said Ms Jackson.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Wales | South West Wales | Drive for volunteers to aid blind

Having failed in their cherished goal of tossing Obama out of office, they will no longer be able to use uncertainty as an excuse for not investing their spare cash.

FORBES: Fiscal Cliff: Winners and Losers

And, should you have any spare USB, Xbox 360 or PS3 controllers laying around you'll be able to put them to work cloud gaming, too.

ENGADGET: PlayCast cloud gaming service is coming to the US in 2013, we go hands-on a bit early

Worse still, working harder in order to be able to afford more material goods could even end up making people unhappier if they do not have enough spare time.

ECONOMIST: Why don't rising incomes make everybody happier?

Last week's ruling reasoned that e-hails instead could spare seniors from walking far to get cabs and might lessen discrimination because drivers wouldn't be able to see their fares when accepting them.

WSJ: Judge halts NYC taxi e-hailing a day after launch