Surviving In a Recession

Previously, I blogged and encouraged those seeking extra funds in this time of recession to start their own business. I continue to stand by this suggestion. I confessed my love of craigslist and wanted to share that craigslist can also be a way of helping other small businesses or odds and ends type jobs stay afloat as we feel the brunt of cutbacks.

We had some materials that needed to be hauled away to the city dump and our SUV was not large enough to do the job, nor did my husband have the time. I placed an ad on craigslist describing what needed to be hauled and the price I was offering to do it. I immediately began to get responses! There were two in particular, one from a guy who said he was not a professional, just a guy with some free time who needed extra money and another from a college student who had a pick up truck and was trying to make extra money for school. In the end, the college student won out and he came by to pick the material up. He confessed that he was taking the metal parts to the metal scrap yard for extra money and then the other stuff to the dump. When he said that, we found a few extra pieces of scrap metal that needed to be gotten rid of, so he could add to the rest. I was so pleased with his ambition and determination to make ends meet by doing work and by knowing he could sell the metal and get some extra money. I was happy to have had the exchange with the young man. We both benefited from the transaction.

This past weekend my sister and I enjoyed ourselves at the Ruritan Indoor Flea Market. We set up for book sales and she brought in some goods from home to sale. There was men, women and children’s clothes, children’s shoes, crib sets, a glider, a rocker and jewelry and trinkets. That stuff was selling like hotcakes. It was priced right and she was able to walk away with a bit under $100. I was so proud and excited!

I still believe that we can make it even during these rough times. We may have to readjust our mindset and spending for a period of time, but we do not have to lack. God wants us to be fulfilled and happy. We have to use the resources around us. Just take a look, they are so very plentiful!

Many Blessings,

Tales of a Risk Taker

I missed my day to blog on Monday because I physically could not do it. I sat here looking at the computer screen with my right arm in a sling. The doctor says it may be broken and only time will tell. Apparently the X-ray was too hard to read with all the fluid and swelling. So, here I am. One-arm-Polly after a mom's night out to a local roller skating rink. We were well into the evening when I had my little accident --- speed skating at the tender age of 34. Of course I had signed the liability wavier before trading my sneakers for roller skates. But even if I had not signed it, I still hold myself accountable. I went in there knowing full well that I might fall. I prayed to God that I wouldn't break any bones and went on without worry. All I wanted last weekend was to have a little fun and for a few hours I had a ball. The pain from a dislocated elbow and a trip to the emergency room leads to my resolve; next time I'll where elbow pads!

Some folks say I'm crazy because I did it, but I just can't sit on the sidelines of life and not be involved. Because what if I didn't give it a try, what would happen then? That's right --- NOTHING! So my very nature demands that I go out on a limb (so to speak) every once in a while. It's the same reasoning I apply to business. That may mean cashing in an old IRA or scraping together other funds to reinvest in my ongoing vision. No matter the case, you've got to give some to get some. The outcome may not always be pretty, er...that elbow hurt like the dickens! But at least I can say, I took a chance. I seized an opportunity. So? I fell down. But look at me now! I'm typing again and it is only Wednesday. Who knows what I'll be able to do come next week? This isn't the first bone I've broken in my old age and I might bend a few more before it's all over. (Please God, no...)

I am a risk taker and I lived to tell the story. Was there ever a time that you stuck your neck out there?