Recession Proof - Latest Blog Entries

Six Top Reasons To Start A Home Based Business

Tue, 26 May 2009 17:19:00 -0500

1. Low Overhead: One of the greatest advantages of starting a home business is you have no expensive monthly rent or lease expense - potentially saving you tens of thousands of dollars every year. Also with no commute to deal with everyday, you can save money on gas and travel expenses.

2. Enviable Lifestyle: A home business can give you the freedom and flexibility to enjoy your life more fully. This includes being able to spend more time with your loved ones, pursue other interests, and the ability to set your own schedule.

3. Take Control: The ability to control your own destiny and eliminate the daily stress and hassles of dealing with a boss or co-workers can be a liberating experience for many fledgling entrepreneurs. Many people who start a home business also invariably report that their productively level has soared because of the flexibility working from home can offer. Not to mention the extra benefit of the elimination of the typical time wasting distractions commonly found at the average workplace.

4. Mobility: One of the most unique and attractive advantages a home business can offer an individual is the ability to live and work in the geographical area of their choice. As long as your business and services aren’t tied to a specific market that requires you’re personal and physical presence, you can live and work anywhere your heart desires. And if you decide to retire or start a new venture someday, established home based businesses are also fairly easy to sell for the very same reasons.

5. Tax Advantages: There are a number of legitimate tax deductions available to home based business owners that can potentially save you thousands of dollars a year on your taxexs

6. Personal Satisfaction: Starting and operating a business from home can be not only more profitable income wise, but it can also provide you with a sense of personal accomplishment

How to Start a Purchasing Coop

Tue, 26 May 2009 16:49:00 -0500

Whether they sell homebuilding supplies or hamburgers, savvy independent business owners are finding that working cooperatively is the key to surviving and thriving. Rosemary Mahoney, chief executive officer and cooperative developer for Lovingston, Va.-based MainStreet Cooperative Group, offers these start-up tips to entrepreneurs interested in cooperative development:

1. Find friends. Every cooperative begins with a group of like-minded people. Determine if the perceived threat or opportunity you have identified is shared by other independents. Work to form a core of organizers who are respected by other independent business owners as well as vendors. Not getting the right members at the start is a mistake that can lead to failure.

2. Explore the options. Before making plans to organize your own purchasing cooperative, determine whether any other cooperatives are already serving your sector. If so, can you join that cooperative?

3. Crunch the numbers. Estimate the total amount of your sector’s business volume that is handled by independents. Is this amount of volume significant to your suppliers? Do your suppliers need independent businesses in the sector? The ability to convince vendors to support a start-up cooperative is essential to its success. You must be able to prove that your co-op can deliver a significant amount of volume and bring value to the vendor.

4. Do your homework. Find one or two cooperatives in similar industries and talk with their management and some members to learn more about how cooperatives work. You’ll be surprised at how many cooperators are willing to talk to those seeking more information.

5. Lay a strong foundation. If you decide to go forward in establishing a purchasing cooperative, be sure to work with an attorney who understands this business model. Also, raise enough capital to hire a chief executive officer who is both an industry expert and well respected by vendors and potential members. Trying to self-manage a co-op is a mistake. Most entrepreneurs are too busy running their own business to successfully and simultaneously manage the day-to-day operations of a co-op.

26 Year Old Self Made Millionaire

Tue, 26 May 2009 16:23:00 -0500

Adam Khoo is an entrepreneur, a best-selling author and a peak performance trainer. A self-made millionaire by the age of 26, he owns and runs several businesses in education, training, event management and advertising, all with a combined annual turnover of $20 million. Wow.

If there's one question about success that's on your mind right now, it should be this -

'What do the most successful people in the planet have all in common, that allows them to enjoy the success they have today?'

It's plain common sense, isn't it?

All the rich and successful people in the world must be doing or possessing something similar that have allowed them to achieve the success they have in life.

Success doesn't happen by chance.

So what's the secret behind all these people?

The secret is that they all possess the "Patterns Of Excellence".

And these Patterns Of Excellence could be THE missing link between you and the success you crave in your life.

Imagine if you already possessed all the critical mindsets, habits, and behavior of the top 1% of people in the world.

With that, you could literally jump off a plane with a parachute, land anywhere in the world, and still be a roaring success where ever you are. Because you know the secret to success.

To read more about the Patterns Of Excellence and a true story of how it literally transformed one man from an underachiever into a millionaire at just 26!, click on the link below:

Adam Khoo's Patterns of Excellence

Have We Become Too Accustomed To Prosperity?

Mon, 25 May 2009 23:43:00 -0500

Over the past generation or two, we Americans have become very used to having money in our pockets. Year after year we've never had to THINK to achieve. Trapped in a pattern of indulgent practices, we may have forgotten how to actually deal with problems.

By opening our minds, we can think our way out of just about anything. Talking problems through with knowledgeable friends, researching options, relaxing our rigid ideas of what we should be, do and have.

If we focus on the possibilities, we can let the adversity of this recession be our teacher and inspiration for positive change. Things we thought we needed are not now necessities. What is really important rises like multicolored balloons..our family and friends, the environment, charity. Simple. Why didn't we think of it?

Grocery Price Comparison

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:01:00 -0500

Be the First To Get In On this Great Free Resource.

This is one of those times when you pop yourself on the forhead and say - Why didn't I think of that?

I'm always on the lookout for a deal and most Thursdays you will find me with the grocery ads spread out on the floor - trying to figure out the best sales. So you can imagine how I felt when I found out about the new website called Grocio that helps comparison shop stores and brands online to find your best buy.

Now for the first time, we will soon be able to compare deals when it comes to grocery stores - and not just for one item on the list.

Grocio.com, will take my individual shopping list and show me where to get the best deal. Woohoo! No more numbing leg cramps from sitting for hours on the floor, cutting those darned coupons. The site is not quite launched yet, but you can still sign up and they will contact you as soon as soon as it's ready for business.

Make Your Income Recession Proof

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:22:00 -0500

I've been thinking about all the recent layoffs around the country. Shocked and dazed, people who thought their jobs were recession proof are now pounding the pavements in search of another place of employment, just like the one they left.

How many of them can truly say they were happy at their work? How many would rather be at the helm of their own home business? You never know the answer. Some probably never even thought of their own business, quite content to punch a clock, pick up a paycheck, and head home to drink a few beers before the TV, That is, until they suddenly found themselves without a job.

So many have been slaves to the illusive security of employment, afraid of the gamble, the inherent risks of running their own show. Maybe they've been too timid, too tired, lack the self confidence or just have no idea how to begin.

But that was before the layoffs. Now with employment harder to find, many people are venturing outside their comfort zones into a business that is more recession proof.

What business is that?

It's the home business. And I, for one, can tell them it's no more scary than seeing that pink slip in their inbox.

Starting a home business is more than a technique, a mathematical formula, a way of business, or even an objective. It's a state of mind - and people's mind are beginning to open to the idea that no job is "recession proof", but when you have your own home business at least you are not at the mercy of some overpaid suit.

I'm not saying it's easy. I spend many hours in front of the computer with double the determination that I had in a "regular" career. Maybe it's an ego trip or a combination of a hundred reasons, but mostly I think it's because in my old job, I was cog in the government wheel and in this one, I feel like I make a difference.

If I can help one person find the product they've always wanted or help them on their way to a successful business, then the joy to me far outweighs the hard work.

As a business owner, I can adapt more easily to changing markets, taking on new products and abandoning old to constantly be "on top" of things. That's something I could never do as "the cog". Being "light on your feet" is a prerequisite to starting a home business, although it was never taught in my MBA courses in college.

In college they said "timing is everything". If that's true, then the time to jump into a home business is right now. If you're an out of work accountant, the time is right to open a tax business. If you are an out of work secretary, it's time to look into freelance opportunities. If you've always dreamt about making cupcakes - the time is right to go to baking school.

Is the economy "bad"? Is money "too tight"? Is there a war in the Middle East? The procrastinator can find many legitimate reasons not to begin, while someone else is making money day after day, year after year from the comfort of their own homes.

Let's face it. Some will never start their own business. Their dreams are nothing more than fantasies. They'll hope about it, think about it, and find 10 more reasons why they can't do it. And that's OK. Because the timing may be right, but the determination isn't.

However, those with the commitment, elbow grease and "float like a butterfly" footwork of the great Mohammed Ali, can fulfill those dreams and "recession proof" their income - with a home business.

Just some thoughts - you can find about about dozens of "recession proof" jobs at Recession Proof Your Life.

4 Reasons You Can Thrive In This Economy

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 10:56:00 -0500

As I always say, there is no reason to be distraught about the economy! I found this interesting article about thriving in this recession, that I thought you might like to read.....

So, how’s the economic meltdown treating you? Excited about the opportunities, or sick to your stomach worrying about how your bills will get paid?

Exhilarated or freaked out?

Maybe a little of both?

It’s impossible to really see massive change when we’re still in the middle of it. But there are a handful of things you can bank on. One of them is that human nature doesn’t fundamentally change, even though the environment can change radically. Read The Rest Here

8 Simple Ways To Save On Your Groceries

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:33:00 -0500

It never fails, we budget for our groceries, but the bill always ends up being more. We underestimate, run out of things faster than expected and overall, everything is becoming just too darned expensive! To make things a little bit easier, here are 9 simple ways you can start saving money on your groceries.

1. Go with a List: Yes, I know...it's a pretty obvious suggestion, but it's amazing how effective it can be. You can purchase only what you need and avoid all the other yummy distractions of the grocery store.

2. Meal Planning: Planning your meals in advance makes it easier to get your list together and ensure you buy only exactly what you need. You can get help with your meal planning at AND they actually put your grocery list together for you too.

3. Eat Before You Go: Another classic tip. If you're hungry, you'll want to buy (and instantly eat) everything! Have a meal or good snack before you go to avoid impulse purchases.

4. Cook from Scratch More Often: Yeah, yeah...it sounds easier said than done, but it doesn't have to be too complicated. It's no secret that pre-packaged items and convenience foods come at a premium price. They save you time in preparation, but they eat up your budget and let's face it, time IS money. Plus, if you're using Tip #2 and planning your meals, cooking from scratch more often is a whole lot easier.

5. Comparison Shop Before You Leave Home: No, I'm definitely not suggesting you go from store-to-store looking for the best deal. That takes too much time. Check the flyers that come to your door and see who is offering the best deals on what you actually need. If you don't have any flyers at your door, visit the store website as they generally post flyers online.

6. Use Coupons Wisely: Sure, coupons offer a great deal, but many coupons you'll find are for items you don't really need or use. Resist the urge to think, "Wow, that's a good deal" and search for coupons based on items you need to purchase instead.

7. Keep the Little Ones At Home: If you have young children that want everything that they see, it's easy to get into the trap of buying items you don't need, treats that aren't healthy and become victim to other grocery store distractions. Keep the kids at home with Daddy (it's a good bonding opportunity) or a relative. You can even swap grocery store shopping times with your neighbor. Not only will you save money, but you'll save your sanity too!

8. Make Quick Stops for Fresh Ingredients: This may not be easy if you're on a tight schedule, but if you can work it in, it can save you a bundle. One of the biggest culprits in grocery budgets gone bad is spoiled food. If your fruits, veggies and other perishable items are always going bad, consider shopping for them more frequently, but in smaller quantities and restrain yourself from buying items you don't need. If you have any teenaged kids, this would be a great chore for them too.

There you go - 8 ways to save on groceries. But in order to make these tips work, you really need to have a plan in place. You need to know what your family needs and what you'll be eating. To make your meal planning a whole lot easier, sign up for you 1 ¢ no-risk trial at

You and your grocery budget will be glad you did.

Buying Bulk vs Buying In Bulk

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:07:00 -0500

Do you buy in bulk or buy bulk?

Isn't that the same thing, you may ask?

Definitely NOT!.In order to buy in bulk, you need a vehicle to get things, you need space to store it, and you need large amounts of money up front that not everyone has readily available.

I recommend purchasing in the bulk bin area, where you can purchase at a lower price per pound and with far less packaging. I would not necessarily recommend buying in bulk - meaning buying in large quantities.

The advantages and disadvantages should be obvious. As previously stated, when you buy in the bulk bin area, you fill small bags with the exact amount that you will need. It will be fresh. It will be greener (less packaging) and will cost less.

Alternatively, if you buy in bulk you will expend more energy. You will need a vehicle to bring it home, a large pantry, a freezer, and more money at one time.

So think about bulk buying not as quantity purchasing, but QUALITY purchasing and watch your grocery bill shrink. More about SAVING ON YOUR GROCERIES HERE

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:39:00 -0600

WHO KNEW BANKS COULD BE SO FUNNY...

Frugality is IN!

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 15:02:00 -0600

Cheapskate

Ed. Note. I Told You So...

Whether in thrift stores or clipping coupons, many proud to tout their savings

Cecilia Dames, an expat Midwesterner who has lived in Europe for the past 17 years, noticed it when she returned to St. Louis for a recent family visit.

"Conspicuous consumption is out," she said. "Conspicuous frugality is in."

Read The Rest Of This Article By Tom Hundley

If You Build It - Will They Come?

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:07:00 -0600

I'm sorry, but I just can't get behind someone who thinks everyone is in the same boat as he is....He's talking about the stock market...I just want to get through the food market without going on food stamps... Still, he does have some sound advice if you DO have any 401K money left in your account.. Check out his article and see what you think.

No Debt No Sweat! Financial Seminar Ministry

Ideas on Rebuilding Your Nest Egg

I recently heard someone make a wisecrack that the only two good financial positions these days are: Cash and Fetal.

If you are a part of the human race, you are very aware that 2008 was a devastating year for investors. Now, there was a time when that wouldn’t have included most Americans. But that was then, this is now. Today’s investors aren't just the rich, Wall Street types. They are us. Read more of this article by Steven Diggs Here...

Recession Proof Date Ideas

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:54:00 -0600

Recession Proof Dating

Does your relationship need a little boost - but the fancy dinner and night out are not in the budget this month? You can have a wonderful time if you just get a little bit creative. In fact, you can make memories that will last longer that that boring old steak dinner.

Try one or more of these P&G ideas for an interesting, fun, unusual, and memorable recession proof date:

1. House swap with another couple for the weekend or trade them your house for their RV. Trade living quarters with out-of-town friends and enjoy a weekend getaway without paying for a B&B.

2. Go fishing. If you live in a warmer climate, fishing is a relaxing, inexpensive way to spend the day. For the brave at heart, try ice fishing.

3. Tour local landmarks. Drop by your local visitors bureau (or its Web site) for a brochure about local historic landmarks and other sites of interest, and then make a day of touring.

4. Visit a museum. Is there a new exhibit in town, or perhaps a museum you haven’t yet explored? Let your inner artists mingle.

5. Relax in a coffee shop together. Play board games and get goofy. Or show off your smarts by reading and discussing the newspaper together.

6. Indulge in a home spa staycation for two. Create ambience with candles, music and scented oils.

7. Ride bikes. Enjoy the simple pleasure of a casual bike ride. Find a local wooded, riverfront or lakefront bike path and travel with your sweetheart.

8. Take a cruise. Not the tropical kind, the steamboat kind! If you live near a river, a cruise on your local historic steamboat offers something fun and different.

9. Go to a farm and share an adventure. If you're from a farm, but your date isn't, it's fun to introduce them to the joys of farm life. If neither of you has picked an apple directly from the tree, or ridden a horse, or rocked in an old porch swing, relaxing pleasures await.

10. See a play at your community theater. These shows are usually less expensive and the seating is more intimate (perfect for snuggling).

11. Attend amateur night at a comedy club. Laughing together brings you closer. So why not enjoy some stand-up during amateur night?

12. Wander around a farmers' market or street fair. Hold hands and stroll as you enjoy a relaxing afternoon of new sights, smells, flavors and sounds.

13. Go to the zoo. It’s fun. It’s different. And often, that’s all it takes to make a good date.

14. Play putt putt golf. Putt Putt golf courses usually are sometimes in lovely wooded parks or amusement areas.

15. Stargaze. A cold, clear night can offer the brightest stars. Find a dark field, snuggle up on a big blanket and share some hot chocolate.

16. Share a giant banana split. This date evokes sentiments of the 1950s soda shop. (Besides, you’d probably never get to eat a banana split alone!)

17. Volunteer together. Helping others often opens our own hearts in the process, making volunteering an intimacy booster. So pick a cause you both care about and make an afternoon of it. There are lots of creative ways to give without money...see how many you can do in one day>

18. Attend a lecture or book reading. Lectures and readings often are free, and can stimulate conversations later over coffee.

19. Take a mystery drive. Hop in the car and pop in some happy tunes. Then start driving, taking only left turns. Where the two of you will end up is a mystery!

If you haven't yet found that special someone to spend time with, never fear, here are some great ideas for finding that Sweet Sugar.

Recession Proof Valentine Breakfast

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0600

Of course you want to have a special breakfast for your sweetheart, but maybe finances just don't include dining out. But don't despair. You can create a spectacular morning feast, for just pennies. We call it our Recession Proof Valentine Breakfast.

When you prepare that special Valentine’s Day menu your should include you honey's favorite breakfast foods. But here are some ideas to spice them up.

Home Depot Not Recession Proof - Layoffs 2009

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:36:00 -0600

One of the largest home improvement supply companies found our today that they are not recession proof. Today there was an announcement about Home Depot Layoffs for 2009. Seven thousands jobs will be lost. Seven thousand families effected. Seven thousand people thinking - what do I do now?

A bright lining in this, is that those working for home depot you have skills. Home Depot employees know how to plumb or build a deck, or paint a house. These are marketable skill and those people should be thinking about how to Recession Proof Their Lives - to keep this from happening again.

What can they do?

They can start by assessing their skills and think about how to apply those skills to a new job or a new business. If more education is needed. they can look in to scholarships, grants and internships.

For example. If you have been an appliance salesperson, you may be able to educate yourself to become and appliance repairperson. This job will be recession proof because people will have older units repaired rather than buy new.

If you are not one of the 7000, you may have time to recession proof your life before a disaster like the 2009 Home Depot Layoffs.

$400 Logo Design Contest

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:15:00 -0600

Naughty Bits Software

For You Artistic Types

Free logo design contest, win $400!

Free Video Golf Lessons

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:56:00 -0600

OK - so how is golfing, recession proof? Well, golfing is one of those luxuries you just don't want to give up. But green fees are costly and lessions? Forget it.

You can still brush up on your golf skills in the comfort of your living room while this recession is raging and when you're ready to hit the links again - you'll wow your golfing buddies.

Here is a website offering FREE VIDEO GOLFING LESSIONS.

Putt. Putt.

Are You Interested In A Franchise?

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:47:00 -0600

If you are the type who would like to own and run a business, but hates the thought of starting from scratch and you have some cash that you would like to invest before the banks make it all disappear, a franchise might be an excellent choice for you.

But how do you go about finding a Franchise?

The fastest and most convenient way to begin the process of finding a franchise is via the Internet. There are now dozens of franchise opportunities directories online today that offer comprehensive listings of franchises for sale, including information about investment levels, training, availability, and how to contact the franchise company for more details. These directories are also a good source for free information about the general process of buying a franchise business. You may want to visit A few different directories such as franchiseopportunites.com, franchisegator.com, and azfranchises.com because not all of then will carry the same franchise listings.

Franchise Industry Publications:

Trade publications are another good source for general information about franchises available and franchising industry news. There are magazines available such as Franchise Times and Entrepreneur, as well as multiple online venues such as franchise-chat.com and franchisenewscenter.com that provide a wealth of free information about finding and buying a franchise.

Purses From Candy Wrappers

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:44:00 -0600

Innovation brought to you by Recession Proof Your Life.

One company too the trash to treasure business model to heart. They have created a line of purses made of food wrappers, Ecoist founders Helen and Jonathan Marcoschamer saw a material that could be re-used to create unique handbags. And they didn’t just stop at candy wrappers, they also use food packaging, soda labels, subway maps, and newspapers to weave together their stylish, study handbags.

We used the same pattern weaving gum wrappers when we were kids - remember? This is another example of what we can do when we put our thinking caps on.

They are selling at Inhabitat. If you have eco friendly products, you can sell there, too.

201 Tips From The Trumpster

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:33:00 -0600

Hey - found this great free report from the Donald - just for you!

201 Trump Secrets of a Rich Mindset