And this has happened during a period where the cost of everything from health care to college has skyrocketed.

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There is nothing wrong with people especially women trying to improve their looks but we have to always remember that everything taken in excess has a negative impact on our health that may cost our lives prematurely.

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The Economist has compiled a credit-crunch index, comprising a number of measures on everything from bank lending to the cost of buying insurance against default for banks, firms and sovereigns in the euro zone.

ECONOMIST: Europe in limbo