Jane Chin shares Aug 13, 2008 06:59PM economy sucks and prices keep rising; what is your current strategy for planning for the future?
DebInAustin says Aug 13, 2008 07:02PM trying to spread my clients throughout the country so I don't rely on any one economy. I am worried that Denver's economy will take a dive
DebInAustin says Aug 13, 2008 07:02PM after the DNC, so want to make sure I am not just rooted here in Denver.
patricksweeney says Aug 13, 2008 07:01PM putting my head between my legs and kissing my ass goodbye! Nah, just trying to get my head above water for now.
DaisyΜ∞n says Aug 13, 2008 07:07PM go no where, wear old clothes, eat nothing Seems to be the only way to survive some days
Gramma Annie! Aug 13, 2008 07:12PM I stay home a whole lot more. I also planted a vegetable garden this summer.
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 07:18PM you think stocks are a good way to go bc prices are low and for sure they'll go up?
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 07:17PM hm... my 401k keeps dropping and i stopped looking at the #'s. too depressing.
RenegadeScribe says Aug 13, 2008 07:25PM I'm thinking of stealing gas and selling it on the black market.
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 07:43PM Lewis since i'm an entrepreneur the 410k is parked there (no employer contrib). i do have a SEP
Lloyd Lemons says Aug 13, 2008 08:26PM simplify (even more) drive less, bike more, diet, fewer restaurants, no malls, maybe sell a car
RenegadeScribe says Aug 13, 2008 08:28PM Seriously, we've tried to minimize driving, lessen the amount of times we eat out, make sure to buy gas at Costco, and put the thermostat
Glyphrunner says Aug 13, 2008 08:43PM no A/C in the summer, heat set at minimum of thermostat in winter, recycle clothing and try to reuse materials where possible.
Glyphrunner says Aug 13, 2008 08:42PM Also trying to find at least one if not three more jobs to provide more income. I can sleep when I'm dead.
Jane Chin Aug 13, 2008 08:44PM DebInDenver is your biz conductive to remote operations? I think PR should be.
DebInAustin says Aug 13, 2008 08:51PM yes Jane, I could pretty much work anywhere, with some travel required. I try to meet as many journalists as possible to keep the
DebInAustin says Aug 13, 2008 08:52PM relationship going. And now that I am doing more SM, want to meet as many people as possible at conferences, etc.
kingz jewel Aug 13, 2008 08:52PM i have foregone seeing my family (an hour away), eating out, going far for groceries, and not going to my son's jiu jitsu class (30 min)
kingz jewel Aug 13, 2008 08:53PM there have been other sacrifices, too. i see this might become a blog post
LChamp says Aug 13, 2008 10:43PM I planned for many years to retire early. retired at 55. now is the time for me to preserve capital not gamble on the markets. no concern
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 04:20AM LChamp your case is rare now; many are "unretiring" bc they can no longer afford retirement :|
iheartbobbyb says Aug 14, 2008 01:41PM Not going to lie, the future of the nation scares me to death. It's scary where everything is heading...
LChamp says Aug 14, 2008 01:44PM iheartbobbyb: the future is in your hands...don't just stand there, do something!
Walter says Aug 14, 2008 02:31PM in all of human history, there's only been a middle class for the last 60 years. And now it's shrinking. Yikes.
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 02:55PM i saw on news that many people who bought houses in 2006 may actually have "negative" equity right now
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 03:04PM CA as usual tops 'em all - lose 80+% of equity - I remember a few yrs ago inland empire was being developed like crazy, many moved there
Walter says Aug 14, 2008 03:06PM daringd: It's called the middle-class squeeze. And yes, it is scary. is.gd/1rBC
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 03:06PM hm... i'm checking willow; and one home in our neighborhood sold for $805K built in 1989. that's not bad I guess.
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 03:07PM Walter I agree that the middle class is being squeezed. How much of the "total squeeze" is due to policy, how much due to personal choice?
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 03:07PM i.e. buying cars you can't afford, home too big for your budget, new wardrobe every season, vacations and cruises etc on credit.
LChamp says Aug 14, 2008 03:12PM It's called personal responsibility. I am responsible for my actions. If I buy something I can't afford, I can't complain about it.
Walter says Aug 14, 2008 03:16PM it is primarily due to personal choice, compounded by changes in global economic factors, allowing less room for errors in our choices.
Walter says Aug 14, 2008 03:18PM it used to be easier to dig out of debt. But now with millions of off-shore workers willing to do our job at 1/3 the cost, it isn't so easy.
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 03:24PM Walter i think it's a catch 22 as well. consumers want cheaper price for premium products. then complain that jobs are being lost to worker
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 03:28PM also, it depends on the type of biz. manufacturing gets hit the hardest, bc of fixed COGS and offshoring prevents increased prices
D.D. says Aug 14, 2008 03:30PM there's always opportunities in time of crisis, what do you think the opportunities that exists or will exist in near future?
Walter says Aug 14, 2008 03:29PM We over-consumer. Consume less, and you don't need to demand lower prices.
Walter says Aug 14, 2008 03:30PM I'm totaly cool with giving jobs to the those who can do it the least expensively. That's good for everyone.
Walter says Aug 14, 2008 03:30PM (Except for the union guy who was getting paid $50k a year for sweeping a factory floor.)
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 03:35PM Walter i hear you. i understand that unions aim to protect workers, but with all organizations some power can be abused.
Walter says Aug 14, 2008 03:40PM having visited approx 40 different manufacturing sites, both union and non, I can say unions have done significant harm to US manufacturing.
LChamp says Aug 14, 2008 03:42PM Walter, in my opinion, the unions have priced us out of the market...losing jobs, but protecting union managers
D.D. says Aug 14, 2008 03:47PM hahaha..... :p except for certain industry like the airline. they sure have hehe. :p
Nexeus says Aug 14, 2008 03:49PM janechin I always believe that the service industry, particularly tech services and freelance help
Nexeus says Aug 14, 2008 03:49PM janechin so, web design, programming, technical help, installation, etc. that really helps a lot
Nexeus says Aug 14, 2008 03:49PM janechin maybe even consultation. Those, IMO are relatively recession proof - there's always going to be biz there.
Jane Chin Aug 14, 2008 03:50PM i'm not sure daringd... singapore airlines can get away with not hiring a woman bc she's too old or not pretty enough. not here in the US
D.D. says Aug 14, 2008 03:51PM oh!!! tat's true. hmm .... Singapore is a v biz oriented country. As long as it makes profit , that matters in the end.
ForgeAus says Aug 14, 2008 05:27PM Walter wasn't quite right, they also spend them on disposable goods not just depreciable toys lol!
Walter Aug 14, 2008 05:33PM ForgeAus Right! They'd better enjoy their Starbucks now, because they'll be drinking McCafe in retirement.