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You know all those Wall Street types whose careers have been completely wrecked by the recession, who have been laid off and whose prospects for getting another job in their field aren't that great? Even allowing for a touch of schadenfreude, it seems like a pretty crappy position to be in, right? Maybe not! For twenty-something guys at least, losing a banking gig has meant a summer of fun and frolics, says the Observer—so much so that some are actually volunteering to be laid off, in order to enjoy the lifestyle afforded by generous severance packages and $405 a week in unemployment benefits, which Bush extended by thirteen weeks.

27-year-old Tommy Kim, formerly at UBS, says: "When I got laid off, it was like, hallelujah... I stay up late, wake up late, go to the beach a lot. I play a lot of video games when I can't find people to hang out with."

Others are traveling the world, or just living the outdoor life in Florida. But don't worry, not all of these carefree young bucks are frittering their time away hedonistically. Jeffrey, a 23-year-old former investment banker, has focused his energies on a truly meaningful pursuit: growing a mustache, "which literally took a month. I don't grow much facial hair. I didn't know when in my life I'd have a month to devote to that."

Bumped Bankers Go Bonkers! [NYO]