Forget job losses and home foreclosures. The negative effects of the economy are finally, truly being felt: it may prevent Britney Spears from touring.

Here's how:

Jamie Spears, the man with legal control over his wacky offspring, is trying to ensure his daughter's Circus Tour doesn't fold its tent. He's sought permission from a judge to expand the proceedings, which so far have resulted in a few hilarious microphone mistakes.

However, the market may interfere with these hopes.

Britney has completed half of a 49-show tour through the U.S., Canada and Great Britain; she hopes to add more dates through at least Europe and Australia.

"It hasn't yet been determined whether it's feasible to expand tours to the Europe or Australia legs," L.A. Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz said this week. "That will be determined in the future after everyone's seen the analysis, in terms of the economy and value of the dollar," Goetz added.

Would Spears even wanna keep entertaining audiences? For sure, says a friend.

"Britney's loving being onstage again. Health-wise, she's progressing every week, it's amazing. Britney was the single force for wanting to go on tour in the first place."

Click on the pics above for closer looks at Britney Spears on tour.