what bad economy

[dcalien]

I wonder if a lot of expediters have given up. I don't see as many vans out here as I did, though that is hardly a scientific study.

I have started a new income stream to supplement expediting for now, and oddly enough I am profiting from the very store closings talked about in some of these posts.

When I started expediting, I was told it was a bad time to start. It got worse rather than better. I see lots of things I would like to buy, but I don't. I lost the house early on, and gave it away.

I still have a little cabin in the woods that I won't lose, as I plan to die there haha unless of course I don't make it that long.

I love doing this, and try to do everything possible to keep it alive.

 

[dabluzman1]

We are in a "tuff" economy. One that will challenge everyone.

How we have prepared ourselves, the time we took to understand our business, the steps
taken to insure or assure sufficient funds in a downturn cycle, and tenacity to address the
new face of business ( as it changes daily).

Nothing new, same ol same ol.

Many on EOLand preach to be prepared, save, have a sufficient reserve and think outside the box.
Is it tougher today than a year ago, without a doubt!
Is it the end of the world ( sorry Moot ) nope. ( I prefer the Doors anyway ).

Too many got by on luck not skill. Luck or fate has changed, the economy is sputtering
like a diesel with water in the tank. But, workable, with a little know how.

The time to have prepared for these times was prior to starting in this business. Trying to catch up now may save the day, it'll be tougher, only time will tell.

I feel for those on the losing side. But, this like other business opportunities is not a get rich quick scheme.

If your business plan doesnt have the torque or horepower ( knowledge and reserves )to climb the economic hill in front of you, your business will strain and possibly blow up.

I wish all good luck/fortune, in getting over their personnal hill.

 

[Scuba]

Good god reading mike makes me real glad i am a solo talk about the sky is falling. Darn it a cloud just hit me

 

[ATeam]

I remember when I was a kid...my mom bringing me to the bank to open a savings account when I got my paper route....I did the same with my kids...I was explained the theory of interest and all that boring stuff at the time and told of the importance of cash and of having a stash for "them rainy days"

I have the same memory. My dad took me down to the bank. I deposited my first-earned paper route money and walked out with a passbook showing my savings account balance. When I went in with subsequent deposits the people in this small town bank knew who I was and treated me like I was a VIP making an important financial transaction. Good fiscal behavior was recognized and rewarded.

 

[ATeam]

OK, we're in an economic time that isn't all peaches and cream. We need to be frugal and conserving and save anywhere we can. We need to limit spending on non-essentials. That said, the numbers are in from black Friday. Sales this year were up 3% over last year which was up 8% over prior year which was up 3% over prior year which was up 6% over prior year. Starting back in 2004 and using that as the baseline, 2008 is 21.45% higher in sales than 2004. While some will say 3% isn't that much of an increase for this year, especially after an 8% gain last year, that's still a positive result. Considering the doom and gloom outlook of many, that's an excellent result.

Back to the post that started this thread, the November retail numbers are being reported now (not just Black Friday numbers). Thomson Reuters tracks sales at 35 retailers. Reports are in from 24 of them.

As reported by CNN, "Thomson Reuters forecast that last month's overall same-store sales will show a 2.4% decline.If the figures come in as expected, that monthly decline would mark the weakest same-store sales results registered since Thomson Reuters first started tracking the estimates in 2000."