Beating the Next Depression
In 2008, many Americans started getting a small taste of what the Great Depression was like. As it turned out, it was “only” a recession, but it lasted a number of years and seriously disrupted many lives. And those who still haven’t regained the work they need to support their families aren’t convinced that it’s completely over.
Our government’s irresponsible fiscal policies in recent years have set us up for another recession, or possibly another depression. In fact, there are many financial indicators that point to a near-future problem.
Saving as much money as you can now is one way to prepare for a financial crisis. Another is making sure you can perform the type of work that will be in demand if a depression sets in. Let’s take a look at six of those tasks:
Store Deliveries. A depression will negatively affect the supply chain and force the closing of many stores. But people will still need certain goods. If you have a vehicle that can transport those items, you could gain work as a delivery person.
Lunch Wagon. Preparing and preserving lots of food at home will put you in a position where you can profit from it. Owning a lunch truck will enable you to sell that food to people at work sites and downtown areas.
Wood Chopping. Homeowners will need wood during a depression, and if you have the equipment and know-how to bring down trees and chop wood for a variety of uses, you’ll get some business.
Quilt Making. Many stores, including those that sell blankets, will struggle to stay open during a depression. But if you can make quilts, you’ll find customers who need to keep themselves and their families warm.
Childcare. During a depression, many stay-at-home moms will find themselves working at whatever jobs they can get. This will open up a need for more childcare. If you can gain experience in this area before a depression hits, you’ll be able to offer your services.
Housecleaning. Again, this is an activity that many stay-at-home moms will no longer be able to perform. There will be a need for this service at a reasonable price. And if you can combine childcare with housekeeping, you’ll be in like Flynn.
It is going to really hard. Especially when you can no longer pay your bills or electric . Learn to cook out side, start taking camping trips and try this for a week. Or longer.. Learn to cook on a open fire outside..
I agree with the person that posted about teaching young people how to perform Maintenance task basic wiring Plumbing etc I seen a father try to get his 22 Year old son to assemble a simple Bed Frame
& he could not figure it out & the worst part is he had an Engineering Degree.
I think everyone gave good survival skills needed for any long term disaster plans. I can cook , make fires, make blankets, know how make basic quilts, plant garden yearly, have fruit , nut trees ,etc. have background in medical nutrition, diabetes education specialty, home economics, use resources available, enjoy nature, outdoors. Have steel roof, solar window screens , would like to go Solar . God is huge part in any plans, carrying them out. God Bless each of you in all you do for your families and neighbors especially those in greatest need.??✨??
I believe that skilled people with the ability to fix and repair things will survive: Mechanical, electrical, carpentry, and electronic. Knowing how to cook over an open fire and to provide sanitation to people would also be important. Those knowing how to fix shoes and clothing would also be survivors. Having a wide assortment of tools (plumbing, welding, sheetrock, woodworking) would be a start. Having a solar charger to charge up the batteries on the hand power tools would be most excellent. Today our kids can text and send photos, but ask them to fix the drain on the sink and they are stopped dead in their tracks. The have not been taught. Parents and families teach your youth skills. It could save yours and their lives.
Thanks for your comment, Larry. I think you’re right that those who know how to fix things will have the best chance of survival. There will probably be no shortage of things that need fixing.
You probably can’t make enough money as a delivery driver by using your own vehicle. Maintenance costs will severely dig into your profits. Woodchopping? That would assume that people would have the money to install a woodburning furnace. Very costly, upfront, this option wouldn’t be practical. I don’t agree with housecleaning, either. Not many people would spend the precious income for this. They would be spending their money for utilities and food. I think growing vegetables and opening a stand in your front yard would be practical. Seeds are cheap, Maintaining a garden is hard work, but it doesn’t cost anything except your labor. And people have to eat. I agree with the comment, that you need basic repair skills, if nothing more than to fix your own stuff.
Well when TSHTF never mind making money, you can’t eat it and it wont keep you warm you can’t spend it if the shelves are empty and there will be nothing to buy you need tangible Items like food, shelter, water, guns and ammo of course you know that I’m talking about the worst case scenario which is just a matter of very short time, like the boy scout motto says “BE PREPARED”
I was born & raised on a mountain valley ranch in the west. My parents both survived the great depression. I was born in 1941, and was 10 years old before we got our first tractor for the 600+ acre ranch. I was taught very young HOW TO DO THINGS. I am constantly amazed & shocked by my grandchildren and their lack of self-sufficiency. If & when the SHTF, I worry about their abilities to provide even the basics for themselves and my great-grandkids. — A footnote: I taught my Dad how to drive the tractor, but every time he wanted it to stop, he would pull back on the steering wheel and say Whoah. He was a show off! Hey Frank, keep up the good work, and God bless the U.S.A.
I have been shocked over the years how many people lack basic handyman skills. For example, 20 years ago I had a coworker pay more than $300 to have the wax seal under a toilet replaced. He could have done it himself for less than $10, but was clueless about what needed to be done. Fencing, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, lawnmower service, auto repair, tractor work (people are going to need their gardens) are things that immediately come to mind.
Along the line of quilt making, knowing how to sew, knit, crochet, etc. to make clothing is also good. The ability to repair and maintain equipment and tools that people will need for their basic survival is likewise important. I think that any skill traditionally referred to as a trade or craft would be valuable.
When money is in short supply, there will likely be less of an inclination to replace old, used items, and more repair, reuse, and repurpose. The more everyday necessities you can make for yourself and your family, the less money you will need to spend in stores buying their made-in-China equivalents.
I learned a fair amount of how to make something from virtually nothing from my grandparents, who did live through the Great Depression.