Dear Economy...Please seek professional help!!!
This topic has been closed.
This discussion is public.
Original Post
As all of you know (or I would assume would know), the economy took another head first dive into a 3 ft wading pool today. The media is covering it non stop and Im sure, only creating more hysteria among consumers...I know it has me shaking in my boots!And for the first time, has made me truly fear for the future of my business that Ive worked so hard to build.
During this time of economic uncertainty, how do you keep your spirits up? While I am ALL FOR positivity, I don't think the holidays will do much to lift anyone out of a funk saleswise, sure it will pick up, but I don't think it will be this magical rainfall of money I know some are hoping for.
So whats your backup plan? I have lots of my money invested in stocks so right now, I really can't touch it without taking a major hit financially, so I need to be as resourceful as I possibly can be, and Im sure there are tons of people just like me out there!
So my big questions are...did today's economic brick wall shake anyone else up as much as me? How are you staying positive? Is there a way to thrive as an entreprenuer during a time like this when your items could be considered frivelous (but of course still beautiful, awesome, unique etc...) and easily be passed over because you need to choose a tank of gas over a nifty pair of earrings.
As a community here on Etsy, how can we pull together and make it through this time of uncertainty and consumer fear? CAN we do anything?
Ideas, thoughts, opinions???
Posted at 8:09pm Sep 15, 2008 EDT
Responses
Well I've always been a keep your eyes and mind open and your head up type of a person. So, I'm saving my pennies, working very hard at my day job so I will keep it and thanking my higher power everyday for everything my husband and I have.
My mother is an accountant for a large company in the computer field and I know that her company is going through massive layoffs. Almost 1/3 of the company! I don't think this recession is going to hit just the financial industries, but then again I've been wrong before.
Posted at 6:19am Sep 16, 2008 EDT
Having a SO that works in investment banking it is a veryscary, stressful and pretty heartbreaking time for many... at the moment it feels a bit like the end of the world is coming.
However, spending on luxury goods is up (and always is prior to a depression), people want to spend money on making themselves feel better - so currently i'm not worried about my etsy shop.
Posted at 6:33am Sep 16, 2008 EDT
I think it's kinda funny in a way~ Michigan has lost 400,000 manufacturing jobs due to NAFTA and China being admitted in WTO. It's no longer funny to laugh at Michigan any more I guess~
Keep buying foreign made! Keep sending our money out of country! Hungry? Eat some Toyota, Sony TVs, and Haier refrigerators~ I hear they taste good with ketchup!
Posted at 7:37am Sep 16, 2008 EDT
Well, in all honesty, often foriegn made goods are better made than American made goods. Take cars for example. American made cars' parts are not interchangeable always between makes and models like foriegn made cars are, making repairs very expensive or hard to do. It is not the case with all things, though.
Posted at 8:21am Sep 16, 2008 EDT
Uhhm, well, I don't believe all of it. But my dad is a mechanic and has been all his life, so it is pretty much true about cars.
Posted at 9:08am Sep 16, 2008 EDT
We had to leave Michigan - hubby's job went bankrupt and was bought by a company in AL. Most of my friends up there are out of work, too.
After trying to sell the house, we had to let it go. We lost a car, our house, my home-based web business, and filed bankruptcy. Not a proud moment. But we no longer have credit card debt hanging over our heads. And although we live pretty much paycheck to paycheck and the only job I can get right now is minimum wage, and we have learned to do without a lot of the frivolous things we used to have/do, we have a teeny roof over our heads and one car gets good gas mileage.
I would have loved to buy more school things for DD, but she/we have what we need for now. She doesn't mind thrift store clothes so much. I just worry for our parents and their SS...
Posted at 9:17am Sep 16, 2008 EDT
MelodysUnchained...m sorry to hear that!
Yeah, I also worry about SS...but Ive decided that today Im not even going to turn on the TV, I dont need anything else to clutter my brain
Posted at 9:41am Sep 16, 2008 EDT
The news always stesses me out. It's a good idea just not to watch it.
Posted at 9:54am Sep 16, 2008 EDT
MelodysUnchained
MelodysUnchained says:
We had to leave Michigan - hubby's job went bankrupt and was bought by a company in AL. Most of my friends up there are out of work, too.
After trying to sell the house, we had to let it go. We lost a car, our house, my home-based web business, and filed bankruptcy. Not a proud moment. But we no longer have credit card debt hanging over our heads. And although we live pretty much paycheck to paycheck and the only job I can get right now is minimum wage, and we have learned to do without a lot of the frivolous things we used to have/do, we have a teeny roof over our heads and one car gets good gas mileage.
I would have loved to buy more school things for DD, but she/we have what we need for now. She doesn't mind thrift store clothes so much. I just worry for our parents and their SS...
*******************************************************
Roof over the head, decent clothing, food, parents. I'd say you've got it covered for your child. Everything else is a want.
Posted at 9:57am Sep 16, 2008 EDT