As the economy sinks…so do all those wasteful expenditures.   Electric salt and pepper shakers, edible panties (because you can’t use them again), diamond studded dog collars, 5,000 dollar party dresses and of course trips to the spa.  Massages, pedicures and facials have taken a back seat to you know…gasoline, food and rent payments (as they should).  But the spa industry is not about to become the dust in the wind.  Rather than paint themselves as an added luxury to your life, they have been increasingly trying to portray the spa as an added necessity to a healthy lifestyle.  Parts of their arguments hold weight…massages do help relieve stress and help to improve circulation and muscle tension.  Facials are good for your skin and skin care specialists are always very useful in providing important information about avoiding massive burns.  Of course all of this truly comes into question when you realize your are forking over $200 in one day, the lot of which could have been spent in the grocery store.  I guess it is all a matter of perspective.  I, for one am keeping the electric pepper shaker.