What's Old is New...Again

Lately, during the interviews I’ve had, I’ve been somewhat surprised by the questions the hosts have asked me. They aren’t seeking my opinions about real estate, how to sell a homes in a tough market, or technical matters related to foreclosures. Instead, they’re asking me to provide suggestions to couples who are facing tough economic times.

For instance, how do the bills get paid when one spouse is out of work?

My suggestion is to go back to the basics.

Back when my parents first immigrated to the US from Europe, they learned to establish their new lives with little economic resources. And immigrants around them were in the same situation. As a result, they often exchanged products or services between each other. Call it bartering-light.

For instance, a dairy farmer would give milk and butter to a salesman. In exchange, the salesman would give the farmer a discount on a sewing machine.

How does this work today? For those of us raise cows and own farms, it would look the same way that I just described. For the rest of us, it’s time to get creative. Which is exactly what it takes to get food on the table and cash in the bank during financially difficult times.

Are you a teacher? Perhaps you need electrical work done on your home and you know an electrician. Maybe you can tutor an electrician’s daughter in exchange for getting some wiring done.

Are you a web designer who knows a mechanic? How about a website for your mechanic in exchange for a timing belt for your car?

Like I said, tough times push us to think of new ideas, they challenge us to look at things with a fresh perspective. Make adversity your ally. Use it to push you farther and motivate you to do things differently.

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