In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

TiaIsWorried — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:50:54 GMT

70% of non-government Americans work for "small businesses" (defined as below 250-500 employees www.sba.gov), but the government only focuses on the 30% that work for the mega-corporations.

The only way to be "secure" when the world is going to hell is to take control of your own life.

Bank necessities, learn to grow your own food, get healthy and off meds (OTC or Rx), learn to make do, get out of debt, cut all expenses, figure out what will be valuable and prepare yourself to fill the need. If lucky enough to still be employed by others, get off the hamster wheel and realize you do NOT need 1/10th of what you already own. Avoid the mega-corporations as much as possible-as your patronage feeds the beast and hastens our demise-and buy small business American made.

If we would only realize that the small business needs our purchasing dollars to survive. We are all interconnected so WE need those dollars to stay here too. Then realize that the few extra cents you are paying will more likely than not, come back to you or your employer and let you keep your job.

I have seen this train wreck barreling down on us for over 5 years. Did you know that between 3-5 million middle class jobs have left in the past 5 years? Did you know that 5 million PLUS foreigners were LEGALLY allowed in, in the past 5 years? Do you realize that our backbone is gone and no retail/fast food job with a mega-corporation will EVER support most families?

When I realized the hole we are in, I went through panic mode, then anger, then fear, now acceptance and preparation.

Am I totally prepared? No way.

Will I at least be able to provide my family some time to stay put while the rest of the country panics? I am trying.

Am I happier now that I am altering my behavior to further my personal goals--avoiding GMO, mega-corporations and the government and survival needs? You bet.

Good luck to us all

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

hilly7 — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:43:07 GMT

Actually, through learning history we can know what is coming to an extent, this may be worse but needed. No one person will come through this, but several bonded together will. Learn your skills and other's skills and care more about someone else than yourself. I am now in the real estate work, not the best to be in. For 24 years I made good money in delivery, that all changed in 2006 from an injury and even before that in 2005 from a heart attack and cancer. Not many companies want someone middle aged man with NHL, heart disease, and a few physical impairments. Thing is, you have one of two choices, lay there are cry or get back up and do something, anything. I found myself lacking in so many important areas...family.

It took me probably 3/4s of my life and death to see that what we do really counts, and what accomplishments are taxed or measured in material worth. Success is not if we survive ourselves, but if we help others survive. We all have skills and usefulness, some may differ, but we all have them. We are only as successful when the least amoung us are successful. We're always looking for a better day, a solution to the problems when if fact, we can be that solution, we can be that better day. No, we can't change the whole world, but perhaps we can just change our small part of it, and who knows, maybe it will catch one. Be the change, the hope, the strength you want to see.

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

Keith Lurie — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:12:26 GMT

unemployed - no income? Grow food. costs very little to get started, returns are high, everyone eats.

I am not talking large scale farming, just food or the family with some extra for the neighbourhood.

How many unemployed just sit on their butts all day watching TV, and munching 'cheap' junk food.

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

Thornhaven — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:13:56 GMT

One of the most important things my wife and I are doing is building two part-time online businesses that will provide us with additional income for now and eventually a steady retirement income. Unlike most online businesses, we're not sucked into the common GRQ (get rich quick) mentality of so many (dare I say most) online businesses. We started building these in early 2008 and are now seeing small but steady, and growing, income. Our site traffic is growing organically (i.e., we're not buying expensive pay-per-click traffic).

So my advice for anyone wanting "security" is to take matters into your own hands and not rely on someone else to provide you with a steady paycheck. Check out course.sitesell.com/dkthornton.html ... It's an education that leads to the creation of an online business based on your passion(s)... a winning combination. (in fact it's being taught at major educational institutions across North America) It's also VERY satisfying to see something you've created yourself start to grow. It's even more exciting to see the future potential!

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

A1936John — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:48:21 GMT

Media attempts to control our emotions and our direction. I have found that if I keep focused on my goals and work daily to achieve them the conditions around me don't have as much effect. I am not insensitive to the plight of others but becoming emotional about it doesn't do them or me any good. My family and I have determined to be part of the answer. We volunteer time to our community when we are unable to contribute financially. This tends to keep us balanced in our own living.

We turned off the TV and canceled the newspaper. We now focus on our community where we can help.

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

Sigrun — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:52:55 GMT

As you are able, take life in "seasons". In each season, there is winter. One planned ahead for winter knowing it was a thin and difficult time. Use the periods when you have time and not money to grow yourself (not the fat of poor diet and lack of exercise), but to grow your being. Find things you've wished you had time for during those times when little of your life is free to you (during the work periods) and do / learn / practice them. Expand your thinking, ask questions, learn new skills. It can be a time if you get a lifestyle without debt or many of the toys you're told you need, that you'll even plan in for yourself by choice. Right now, due to job exports out of this country and the many manufacturing / home businesses that once kept our nation's families working together are "beneath" our populace, given overseas where many still send monies while neglecting home. Now it's time for the homefront and building our own lives quietly and well again. We don't need the busyness to be happy nor healthy. We do need time for reflection, prioritizing and realizing what has been left undone during the long periods when we worked too hard. Getting out of debt is a prerequisite, of course. Then, staying out of debt, we can begin to build what is worthwhile. Clue: it isn't a mountain of stuff nor all the things our kids are told they need/want to be happy. Learning happiness is a first key, but also also is self-learning in practical areas that help your well-being.

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

degauss — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:29:48 GMT

I agree with the media observation 1HappyGal. I truly believe the media has a lot to do with how people react to the events that are occurring around them. If the media says things are going to get worse, people latch on to that fear and react accordingly.

I always try to look for the silver lining in things; have a positive attitude. It helps keep me sane and moving forward. A friend of mine once told me I was the only person he knows that can turn *** into sunshine. He may be right. I just know it's better to look for what good comes out of something rather than focus on the negative.

Peace...

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

Earthmomz — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:23:35 GMT

Great Attitude! I have to agree with you there. The media controls so much of the information people are hearing today, and are so good at putting their positive or negative spin on it.... whichever way they want the viewers to lean. Sad. I wish I could find more people with such a postive attitude like yours to work with. Life and opportunities are what we make out of our own choices. I'm tired of them "scripting" our lives and choices for us. Best of luck to you. Earthmomz

re: In Uncertain Times, Prepare Yourself for New Opportunities

BeeGirl — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:12:49 GMT

Saw a story on unemployment and have to say I think some people don't have a clue.
Middle aged guy at a job fair saying 'no one can afford to hire me'.
A woman who had applied for over 100 jobs, in one field
Struggling family, stay at home dad, working wife, the kid is sitting at the table eating a Kraft pudding cup.

I would add - minimize your expenses. The less you require, the more the field of opportunity expands.