I grew up in a very rural environment and learned the arts of self preservation from a very grounded father. He passed on a couple of years back, but much of what he taught me is not only still true but increasingly useful, once more. We are now constantly bombarded with news of the global economic downturn - the recession.
Bring it on, I say.
Batten down the hatches, stop moaning and get ready to survive.
Enjoy the game.
Rules of Engagement:
Positivity - simply, don't allow yourself to think negatively, about yourself, about others or about situations. Negativity is destructive, energy sapping and totally unnecessary. Don't waste your valuable time and energies on it - save them for better things.
Reconnection - It is really easy to lose sight of who you are, especially in the busy lifestyles of today. Identify what you like to do and find new ways to do it. You might be surprised at what can be achieved on a really small budget. Think back to your past - what did you really enjoy when you were a kid? What's the betting, it didn't cost that much to do then and probably won't cost much more now. Of course friends, family and neighbours might get a bit sniffy if you start camping out in the back garden in a cardboard box, in your fifties, but 'what the heck'.
Out of the Box - we tend to get swept along with things and it is easy to think we need to live in a conventional way. We may think we need to live like people around us, but do we? Do you? Often it is with a cost that we don't even consider.
My neighbour needed to work - and to get to work she needed a car. Familiar story? What she didn't do were the sums that went along with it. In fact, in her case, the one weighed the other out. Her bright shiny car came via finance and then there were the inevitable costs associated with it - insurance, tax, petrol, maintenance etc etc - we all know them / most of us have them. Her job was part time because her boys were small. The job was 15 minutes walk away, but she elected to work unsocial hours (hence the car) when her boys were asleep. She was always tired, crotchetty, unhealthy, fed her boys bought meals and often sent out for 'takeaways'. She resented having to shop and cook when she was so tired all the time, even though she used to enjoy those same things. The choice of shift meant a few more pounds, but at much more cost to herself and her family. It probably wasn't worth it. Thankfully, she's had a rethink.
Now, I'm not suggesting you give up work and live off the state, far from it, but I am suggesting you take a proper look at where your expenses lay - and whether those expenses are essential. Are there any adjustments you can make to change your needs? Either straight away, or can you work towards some changes?
Changes:
These are some of the changes I've begun to make and benefits I'm starting to enjoy:
1) Walking to work when I can - I live two miles (walking distance) from work (4 miles by road). Benefits: I am fitter and have lost weight; the days I walk are less stressful as I don't get caught in traffic and I have time to think about things; I see more of nature, which is always good for the soul; I reduce my carbon footprint and have less petrol to pay for; the wear and tear on my car is reduced and I feel virtuous.
2) Food 'shopping' - I have elected not to eat meat, but other than that I am happy to eat most foods, including fish. I made a sea change (excuse the pun) last year when I realised having a regular shoppoing list was probably not the most economic way for me to shop. I live on my own, which means I can be more flexible in what I eat, but also means things tend to be more expensive. So, what to do? (I could write a whole dissertation about this subject, but will save much of it for later entries.)
I am lucky enough to have Asda / Budgeons / Lidl / Aldi and a local small co-op within less than two miles from my home - but you might be surprised to know I prefer to shop at Budgeons. Yes, Budgeons' food is more expensive, but they also seem to have more in their 'bargain bins' and those items are much more seriously reduced, especially if you time your visits well.
My weekly menu reflects the foods that are available to me at the most economic prices. It often seems adventurous and, if I ate meat, would be even more so. I am also more than happy to be creative with what I find.
Probably my most regular success story is the purchasing of thick cream for just 10 or 20 pence (I've found that if it hasn't sold by 4.15, despite a reduced price, then Budgeons make further and significant reductions). I can already hear you saying how unhealthy thick cream is and how it must be eaten quickly. Yes indeed, but what a treat real butter is!!! Turning thick cream to butter is a ten to fifteen minute job, the taste is devine and of course it is the whey in cream that deteriorates quicky, not the fats! If I don't eat the butter quickly, it lasts for a couple of weeks, despite the cream having a sell by date of no more than 48 hours. Fantastic! I even made Christmas shortbread from the resulting butter and that went down a storm with those who had some.
3) Capitalising on skills - a few years ago I was really ill and had a four month recuperation. I wasn't able to do much away from the chair in which I sat, so to alleviate the boredom I began to explore crafts I had previously enjoyed. I soon developed skills into new areas and became much more adept and professional in my craft work - developing my own methods and designs.I now earn up to £1500 a year teaching those same crafts, at adult education, and a further £2000 or so by selling the things that I make. In fact, I'm hoping to take early retirement and develop the sales side of things further, when I have a bit more time.
One of the tips I would give to anyone who asked, though, would be don't waste your time and money selling at craft fairs (especially in the uk). I know I only ever visit craft fairs to see what other people are making, to look and to enjoy, but also for inspiration. I would only rarely buy an item and from my experience other people don't often buy either. From the ones I have done, most other stall holders were moaning about the lack of sales and some had travelled quite a way to get there. If you stay local, you may be lucky enough to cover the costs of your stall and the necessary public liability insurance, but you are very unlikely to make a good profit.
For me, the most successful way of selling has been through party plan. Customers like the idea that something is unique and will often buy for presents even if they can't see something they would like themselves. Again public liability insurance is a must, especially as there is always the odd person who will clain you have damaged something while you were in their home. If you are covered though, then you just hand over the info (and the problem) and there is no more grief.
As you have probably guessed, I could go on forever, but you and I probably need a breather. If you have taken anything from this blog, I will be delighted (and I promise not to prosecute ;-)
Do check back, again, for more installments and more ieas of how to enjoy the rollercoaster ride of our temperamental economy.
Meanwhile, I'm off to pootle.
It's been great to have your company,
Hope to see you soon,
Pootler x x
