Recession Proof GLP... Income

'Trade' is as old as the Tribe,it's practical too.

Not a great seamstress here, but seems like sewing and mending might be a good skill to have.

Knowing how to make whiskey would be a bonus surely... both for drinking and as a fuel. Pretty pricey to set up a still though isn't it?

Not many thinking about this topic eh? Guess I have been living on the “edge” for so long that it’s just a way of life for me.

Admittedly, it is far easier to have creative and lucrative sources of income in good times. Economic difficulty, even disaster, can offer a variety of viable options for the average person though. Taking lessons from other societies that have survived economic collapse, a few income sources have proved themselves “Recession Proof”.

__Food almost goes without saying. If you have a knack for gardening, there will always be a market for sale or trade of foodstuffs. Starter plants and teaching others will be a valuable service if TSHTF as well. If you don’t have land for growing, join a local gardening club so you can connect with others who do. Garden labor is usually welcome and, not only will you learn, your work is well worth some of the harvest, which can be worth far more than cash in the bank sometimes.

__Clothing and shoes… There are several good opportunities here.
If you have skill at sewing, you have a ready business or barter. When times are hard, most folks cannot afford to purchase new on a whim. Repair, re-make and other seamstress services will have even greater demand than they do right now. Even knowing how to make something as simple as shoelaces from scrap material and fibers could be a viable cottage business. Think about it a little and you will discover more options than you might imagine… some could begin paying that needed extra today.

Shoe making and repair knowledge will be a goldmine. A cool design for recycled materials could be a moneymaker anytime!

__Are you a natural born packrat? You may have a budding business all over your property. Scrap materials of all sorts will gain higher demand with hard times. When parts are pricey or impossible to come by, those buckets of bolts, springs and hinges are always good for something… So are boxes of old clothing, blankets and even all those craft supplies. Now might be the time to start thinking about how you can make useful trade items from these forgotten projects! As they say “Necessity is the mother of invention”…

Hopefully, this will get some discussion started… One thing to realize is, as times get hard, most if not all of the income sources (I can think of) will be very localized or regional. If you have some workable ideas, don’t be afraid to share them because chances are good that anyone taking an idea and running with it won’t be any competition.

Almost any service or goods can be a source of sustenance even if it is limited to your immediate neighborhood. Thinking small may be the new “road to success”. Changing the thought paradigm to “less is more” may show increasing opportunities instead of oppression in these uncertain times.

Hard to believe no one has any suggestions here! I know there are tons of us out here making our living in ways that are recession proof already!

Wood harvesting, chopping, carving and so on is always a winner. Furniture and utensil (spoons, bowls, trays) making will also always have a market.

Artistry always has a place... Sign and window painting, designing /lettering invitations, announcements, brochures, fliers and making decorative, useful items is another way to get by. No matter how hard money is to come by, there will be a market for these skills and products. Hard times will probably increase the demand for handcrafted signs and other lettered products. An individual can produce these as a barter service, whereas a business will generally demand currency.

Beauty products have proven to always have a market as well. If things get really tight, you may not get the outrageous prices these handcrafted treats demand now, but we (women) will do without minor necessities willingly to have the luxury of feeling, smelling and looking nice.

More ideas anyone?

Saw an article that might prove useful for those still out there pursuing careers...

5 Job Search Tips to Survive a Recession
By Joe Turner, Career Coach
(found on MSN Careers)

Today's economic news may be gloom and doom but it needn't derail your job hunt. You can still win a great job, even in a lousy economy. You will have to get smarter in your job search strategy, though.

Here are five tips to incorporate into your job search approach during an economic downturn:

1. Research your options

Does your industry or line of work offer little promise of employment in the coming months? If so, now is a good time to step back to identify the projected top performing industries and jobs. The best place to find this info is on the Web through Google or Yahoo. Start with "best industries work recession" or "recession jobs 2008" to uncover articles describing some of the more "recession-proof" sectors to target.

2. Change your focus

Start asking yourself the question, "What's in it for them?" as opposed to, "What's in it for me?" Especially in an economic downturn, you'll want to stay focused on what you can accomplish for your next employer. Show them that you understand the macroeconomic "bigger picture" of the role you play in moving the company forward.

3. Sell results, not skills

Leave behind that old mindset that your job-related skills or length of service are selling factors. The new mindset is to think of yourself as a mini profit-and-loss center rather than just an employee. Employers today buy results and are less impressed with candidates promoting a long laundry list of skills. You'll want to define the many ways your past and present job performance is an asset to your next employer.

4. Start talking money

The downturn has made the private sector economy even more bottom-line-oriented than ever. Hiring managers categorize employees into one of two distinct groups:

a.) those who help make money

b.) those who help save money.

Which one are you?

For example, Barry, who preferred to withhold his last name for the purpose of this story, worked as the human resources manager of a midsized company. While much of his work focused on compliance issues, he noticed that the company was paying many thousands of dollars to locate and hire good employees. As a result, Barry developed and implemented an in-house employee referral program that netted three quality hires in a six-month period. This saved the company almost $70,000 that the company would have paid for recruiters and advertising costs.

Barry saves money for his company, and this is an accomplishment future employers will want to hear about.

Rethink your current or past job to understand your position in the bigger corporate P&L picture. Here are some questions to ask yourself:


* How did my work improve the performance of my department or company?

* How many roles did I perform that saved the company the expense of added employees or contractors?

* How has my work made the work of others (employees and managers) easier, faster and more effective?


Collect specific examples of the benefit that your company gained from the work you've already performed. Clarify the specific benefits your company received by making money or saving money, and write them down.

5. Add achievements to your résumé

Employers don't hire employees, they hire problem-solvers. Your new résumé should be a hard-hitting sales tool designed to accomplish one goal: get the interview. To demonstrate this, add a specific achievements list to your résumé. Take the list that you developed in the previous section and hone it down to your biggest and most notable accomplishments. Now, describe the benefit that your employer gained from each example. This will put you several steps ahead of your job-seeking competitors. Plus, you'll now have some talking points ready for that next phone interview.

Summary

Don't let all the hype about the recession spook you into a state of panic. By revising your tactics to include a more solution-selling approach to employers, you stand a better chance of getting hired in today's faltering economy.

As a recruiter, Joe Turner has spent the past 15 years finding and placing top candidates in some of the best jobs of their careers. Author of "Job Search Secrets Unlocked," Turner has been interviewed on radio talk shows and offers free insider job search secrets at: [link to www.jobchangesecrets.com]

[link to msn.careerbuilder.com]

... and another, a quiz...

Quiz: Are You Recession-Proofing Your Career?
By Dale Kurow, executive coach

Everyone's heard about the recent layoffs and downsizing in the financial industry due to the mortgage crisis and the fire sale of Bear Stearns. Some of the retrenchment is now flowing over into other sectors, as expected.

Are you worrying about how to stay valuable to your current employer and how to avoid the unemployment line?

The quiz below will help you find out if you're doing everything you can to recession-proof your career. Answer yes or no to the following questions. Each yes answer counts as one point.

Compare your point total to the scoring key below.

1. I am usually the most positive person in the room.

2. I make, on average, at least two new business connections each month.

3. I have joined a social networking site (Linkedin, Facebook, etc.), and consistently invite people to link with me.

4. I have mentored a junior colleague, or have found a mentor to whom I can turn for advice and support.

5. I have volunteered for a project outside my area of responsibility.

6. I have expanded my knowledge base by recently taking a course or seminar that broadens my skills.

7. I read at least three new professional journals, magazines or books every quarter to expand my ability to be a resource for new ideas.

8. I frequently (daily or weekly) think of ways to help my company save money or make money.

9. I have a "hero" file in which I have documented my successes, small and large.

10. I know the goals and vision of my boss and have made them my own.

11. I don't whine or become negative when given a new project. I find a way to do it with the help of others or by negotiating for more time.

12. I have a sense of humor that helps me deal with stress.

13. I've secured third-party endorsements from others on a job well-done and asked the endorsers to share their comments with my boss.

14. I understand my company's culture and know how to work well within it.

15. I know who the power brokers are in my company and have made myself visible to them.

16. I have an updated, keyword-rich résumé.

17. I work to be the best at what I do.

18. I have worked to develop my speaking skills and am an excellent presenter.

19. I know where I'd like to be in five years.

20. I am currently in, or targeting, a recession-proof field (for example, health care, energy, education, the environmental sector, security, etc.).

Scoring Key:

16-20 Congratulations! You have been very proactive in recession-proofing your career.

11-15 This is a very good score. Consider one or more additional activities you might take on to improve upon your score.

6-10 You have work to do. Devote more time to being proactive in your career and set a plan to tackle a new activity every week.

0-5 OK, Rome wasn't built in a day. But, there are steps you can take now. Working with a career/executive coach will help you stay on track and identify changes you can make immediately, as well as position yourself for the future.

Dale Kurow, M.S., MCDP, is an author and a career and executive coach in New York City. Kurow works with clients across the U.S. and internationally, helping them become better managers, figure out their next career moves and thrive despite office politics.

[link to msn.careerbuilder.com]

All this talk about making money in a depression is futile, what were are headed to nothing can save you only the truth.

You might be right, but I chose to remain positive and proactive. If you are speaking from a religious standpoint, remember that quote "God helps those who help themselves". Knowing the Truth won't help a bit if you are sittin' on your butt doing squat about the situation.

I've been homeless, lived in a car and lived on the streets and I know for a fact that, even in those circumstances, a bit of creativity and a whole lot of "git er done" can see you through.

I've been thinking of doing the following just for fun. But the idea could be used to make products to sell.

I've been thinking of learning how to make soap and home-made lotions.

Grow tobacco. Grow weed. Buy a still and make moon shine.

Worth their weight in gold in hard times.

I know a couple of folks doing that and making some very nice extra cash. They started out just like you are talking about too.

IMO, the key is to start now, before it is needed... get the hang of it and then figure out how to do it without ordering any "supplies". Re-crafting soap scraps with added scent, oats or other dresser-uppers can also be done.

How true, and that still could also be used to produce fuel! Knowing how to make wine and beer would be good too. I understand a passable vodka can be made rather simply, but the only homemade I ever got to try was terrible! lol

Wilderness survival skills. Learn something about wild plants, flowers, weeds... etc.

Oops... those were me... guess it timed out.

Great idea! Personally, I love eating from the lawn, as you can tell from my other recession thread. Knowing about medicines from the wild is another priceless skill.

No matter if there is a gov. or not TPTB at the time and place will still want lumber, all building supplies, oil, gold, silver and every other kinds of luxury items. The common people might now be able to afford it but the rich (and there always is someone that is that) will still want it.

So perhaps if you are already in one of those industries just try to learn EVERYTHING about it, you might be the only one who does, making you RARE.

damn you....... great minds think a like

hookin is always a fast way to get some cash

but seriously, if anyone is artsy fartsy and interested in doing the craft show circuit, i full timed it for five years, and did very well, i would be happy to pass on what i know


personally, canning/drying food, selling eggs, maple syrup, honey, all great ways to make some cash, and worms/nightcrawlers for fishing

Here's a cross-post from the 'Recession Proof GLP' shopping thread. I think producing potent natural medicines will be a great biz area.


Essential Oil Distillation:
[link to www.crucible.org]

It's hard for me to imagine going into a meltdown world without a good supply of Oregano Oil, one of the most potent natural antibiotics known to man. Oregano is very easy to grow, but extracting pure, potent oil from it is a lot more complicated. Buying it at the health food store is expensive… $30 for a 2 oz. bottle, where I am. Aside from growing/making my own, pure oils will be a great barter item in the days ahead. I think Oregano Oil will be especially valuable, because everyone's immune system is liable to get smacked due to anxiety. One solution is to buy your own steam distillation system. You could even get a little consortium of friends together to pitch in for one. My research led me to this as one of the best, most cost-effective units. If you're clever, and got an A+ in chemistry, you might be able to build your own based on the drawings here. ($399.00)

Just today, we took the leap into a side 'hedge' business venture with a friend. We bought a bus… cheap. It's a 24-seater, in great shape. This is just like a luxury coach, only shorter, and 10 years old. Price was $12k, with no-interest payment terms.

As gas prices go up, there will be a ton of large vehicles on the auction block. Find a transport company that owns a fleet, and you're likely to find an enthusiastic seller. There are also going to be lots and lots of people who have to find alternative transit. Our plan is to put together a regular route, find groups of people who have to travel it daily, and who'll like a step-up from public transit. They can ride our bus, watch DVD's and chill, saving money all the while. We'll also target short run charters, to garden shows, concerts, etc. We can hook a trailer up to it and add a little freight service.

We'll be converting the bus for bio-diesel, and we're working with a friend who's setting up a small operation for processing vegetable oils… converting to diesel (not just filtering). This will add a great competitive edge.

The bus will also double as a great bugout vehicle… one you could strip down and live in, if necessary.

Hmm... candle making maybe. If the grids go down or people want to save on electricity, they might start buring more candles.

yes, i am interested...
please pass on what you know

sunra

Any job related to goods or services which are needed will survive a recession and even a depression.

Thus as someone said, electrician, plumber - farmer, doctor - anyone who can fix things or make things that are NEEDED will be somewhat secure.

Services and goods which are luxuries - like cable, hairdresser, gardener, pool-person - these are kinds of jobs that are 'luxuries' and will be the first fat to be trimmed as the economy worsens.

Many gardeners (lawn folk) around her are finding that folk have just decided to mow their own yard and pull their own weeds.

When I was first married, we shopped at a small grocery store that delivered groceries.

We might see that come back again.

Another thought...buy Hemp seeds. If things go completely south, we might not have such stiff laws against Marijuana.


Hemp - Could Save America
The Weed That Can Change The World

HEMP FACTS

1) Hemp is among the oldest industries on the planet, going back more than 10,000 years to the beginnings of pottery. The Columbia History of the World states that the oldest relic of human industry is a bit of hemp fabric dating back to approximately 8,000 BC.

2) Presidents Washington and Jefferson both grew hemp. Americans were legally bound to grow hemp during the Colonial Era and Early Republic. The federal government subsidized hemp during the Second World War and US farmers grew about a million acres of hemp as part of that program.

3) Hemp Seed is far more nutritious than even soybean, contains more essential fatty acids than any other source, is second only to soybeans in complete protein (but is more digestible by humans), is high in B-vitamins, and is 35% dietary fiber. Hemp seed is not psychoactive and cannot be used as a drug. See TestPledge.com

4) The bark of the hemp stalk contains bast fibers which are among the Earth's longest natural soft fibers and are also rich in cellulose; the cellulose and hemi-cellulose in its inner woody core are called hurds. Hemp stalk is not psychoactive. Hemp fiber is longer, stronger, more absorbent and more insulative than cotton fiber.

5) According to the Department of Energy, hemp as a biomass fuel producer requires the least specialized growing and processing procedures of all hemp products. The hydrocarbons in hemp can be processed into a wide range of biomass energy sources, from fuel pellets to liquid fuels and gas. Development of biofuels could significantly reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and nuclear power.

6) Hemp grows well without herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides. Almost half of the agricultural chemicals used on US crops are applied to cotton.

7) Hemp produces more pulp per acre than timber on a sustainable basis, and can be used for every quality of paper. Hemp paper manufacturing can reduce wastewater contamination. Hemp's low lignin content reduces the need for acids used in pulping, and it's creamy color lends itself to environmentally friendly bleaching instead of harsh chlorine compounds. Less bleaching results in less dioxin and fewer chemical byproducts.

8) Hemp fiber paper resists decomposition, and does not yellow with age when an acid-free process is used. Hemp paper more than 1,500 years old has been found. It can also be recycled more times.

9) Hemp fiberboard produced by Washington State University was found to be twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard.

10) Eco-friendly hemp can replace most toxic petrochemical products. Research is being done to use hemp in manufacturing biodegradable plastic products: plant-based cellophane, recycled plastic mixed with hemp for injection-molded products, and resins made from the oil, to name just a very few examples.

PS...Marijuana has many medicinal properties also.

Great information AC!!

Hemp has more uses than any other known plant, according to most of the information available on it... It does not make ANY sense at all that it is illegal.




What a WONDERFUL idea for anyone living in a reasonably populated area! We've discussed a small trucking service for out here, but this idea would work too. Most specialized doctors are 100+ miles away and this could be a much needed service.

Thanks Jdd!!

hey all...I saw this today..

a great read...paladin


How to Save Money

Jul 06, 2008 - 02:08 AM

By: wikiHow



[link to www.marketoracle.co.uk]

Seems timely to start posting to these threads again. We are going to need them sooner rather than later.

Making a still

[link to www.instructables.com]
[link to www.stillcooker.com]
[link to www.ehow.com]
[link to running_on_alcohol.tripod.com]
[link to www.youtube.com]
[link to www.ibiblio.org]
[link to www.happymountain.net]

These can be used for making ethanol for running engines too in many cases... Either way, it's a good trade item.

Make alcohol and roll cigs and become a dominatrix, or something sex.

That's what sells better in recessions than good times.

And drugs.