Did you ever have one of those days? I showed up for a meeting today, and it turned out I was early. A whole day early. I dressed well and drove about 20 miles to get there, too. I had a few choice words when I arrived at the venue and I was by myself. There I was, some crazy guy talking to himself for 20 minutes on a deserted sidewalk. Some people say I never do anything small. Showing up for a meeting 24 hours early is a bit on the grand side, I must admit. But I was pre-occupied you might say. There's a lot going on in the world around us that tends to make me draw breath and wonder which way things are gonna go. Ironically, not only was I a full day early for my meeting, but the Brown Bag Cafe where we were supposed to meet was closed. As in... threw-in-the-towel, out of business, kaput, thanks for the memories, we left yesterday already. I eyed some of the landscaping, the dandelions gone to seed, and wondered if the owners had any plans for the Siberian iris. "It could be worth a phone call," I mused. Hey, when you show up a day early for a gig, you've got to entertain yourself somehow.

I think this economy is having one of those days. As I meander through the sub-regions of the Greater Puget Sound area, more and more businesses are darkening their windows. It's not just the mom 'n pop shops like the Brown Bag Cafe that have succumbed to hard times. Chain after retail chain is slapping yellow "70% Off" banners on their marquis in preparation for pulling down the shades one last time. I wonder where the workers go when commerce shrinks like this. And I also wonder where people get the stuff they used to buy at these shops, or what other kinds of adjustments they have to make.

Where's My Tuna Melt?

But I gotta tell you, nothing has any meaning but what we give it. The shrinking of American commerce doesn't necessarily mean times are tough all over. Sure, it's plain that times are tough overall. Difficulties such as getting served a proper tuna melt will arise. But there are advantages to be gained while maneuvering through these tough economic times. Hear me out.

Gone With the Wind

Did you ever see the civil war movie "Gone With the Wind"? The book won the Pulitzer Prize, but at over 1,000 pages, some folks think it's not worth the bother. Either way, mercinary Rhett Butler makes a good point. He tells the heroine Scarlet O'Hara that though things may be tough in wartime, not everybody's losing money. In fact, some folks are making it payday - big time. While you don't have to be a scoundrel to take advantage of an opportunity, you definitely need to keep your eyes open.

Times like these present unique opportunties for alternative income streams. It's always a good idea to have more than one line in the water, and home-based businesses tend to be on the rise in the lean times. Some folks take in bookkeeping for small companies. Others take their crafts to the flea market, or sell their consulting services part time. Direct sales firms tend to do well in times like these, too. If you're planning to get involved in a business opportunity, make sure you do your due diligence before laying out any of your hard-earned capital. In other words, be careful. Let people earn your trust - don't just give it away. Rhett Butler and his ilk didn't die off in the Victorian era. But other than a little requisite caution, a home business is a great way to go for a lot of people.

There are also some great consumer opportunities. The aforementioned 70%-off banners make your dollar go farther than before. This ain't the time for recreational spending or retail therapy, but it can't hurt to stock up on supplies you'll use anyway. If you see a "Going Out Of Business" sign, you might want to stop in for a look. Ask about product warranties, though, and also recognize that all sales are final.

Another bonus from increased competition for revenue is that prices go down. Your dollar simply goes farther when people are competing to provide you with value. I saw a sign in a salon window recently that advertised women's hairstyles at just over $5. No matter who you are, guy or gal, that's got to turn your head... uh, so to speak. I can't imagine what the quality o' that bob job is likely to be, but you get the idea. Stuff's starting to get cheap.

There's Room For Everybody

And so here we all go together, striding forward into a quirky future, checkbooks at the ready and sketchy haircuts notwithstanding. I ain't sure I can do this without squinting. But as Miss Scarlet wisely said, "I'll think about that tomorrow." ...Yeah, like that.

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Until next time,

JS
Spokesman

SectorMatic Money Site
Everything for the Big Spender on a Budget

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