It's wild ...
I, for one, always enjoyed hearing my Grandma and Grandpa talking about life in the Depression.
You know ...
How they had to save everything they had. How they had to be frugal, and thrifty, and vigilant with their stuff.
And now - we're on the verge of something very similar. Maybe - not yet - but things could be getting close to what they were?
Who knows?
But, then I think about some of the stuff that my Granparents know, that some of the younger generations 'might' know - but they might not also?
And all the sudden, even mundane, simple things can become ideas for you to make small business websites from.
Take a look at this example:
Food Shortage
I don't know ... but it looks an awful lot like 'canning' to me.
What do you think?
Anyhow, as you can see, even old information can be useful today. Don't think for one second, that just because you've known how to do something you entire life, that other people ALSO know how to do it.
Probably - they don't!
And that's why websites work today ... because people need to know what you've known your whole life.
Here's another GREAT example ...
Did you know that 'ethanol' is not a new technology?
In fact, they've been making ethanol since the 1800's (maybe earlier). But, for some reason, everyone starts getting freaked out and thinking that ethanol is going to destroy our food supply.
Well ...
No, it's not! Sure people are using more of our food supply to try and make their ethanol. But, if they could actually work out how to make ethanol from cellulosic material, it would be a tremendous help. But can you guess how many big companies have been trying to do this over the last 3-4 decades?
Yep - not many. Not consistently. In other words ... the people who could have actually BEEN doing something about the issue - DON'T!
Oh, but now that we have a fuel crisis, and people from all over the world are trying to make their own ethanol fuel ... NOW ... all the sudden BP, and all these other oil companies, are looking into the opportunity there.
So, don't worry, there's still plenty of 'old' ideas, and markets, where you can make websites that generate income for you. You just need to 'spin' you idea, so that people today want what you're offering.
Talk soon,
Al
3 comments:
Yo, how about these ideas for the struggling families? (From our childhood!)
1) fix clothes, or make them. Patch, sew, etc. Buy only clothes that last. Re-make old clothes into something new.
2) Fix tools, toys, car, etc. Fix your own buildings and such, screw permits.
3) Remember going to the "dump" and coming home with more than you took. Now it would have to be a swap meet or flea market. (not popular here)
4) Cheap and simple vacations. Trip to the beach, picnics, car-camping, etc.
5) Grow your own food. Recycle scraps and mulch. Collect water from roofs and use it.
6) Cook from scratch, use simple and inexpensive ingredients and buy in bulk. Use meat as a 'flavoring' instead of a main course like they do in Asia. Beans and rice, how nice?
7) Home School. You'll save money just in clothes alone. I'm also thinking I can use the other 5 hours a day the kids have to put them to work. (weeding and feeding the chickens?)
8) Work together, invest in tools instead of paying someone else for their time. Remember "Barn Raisings"? Save tons of money on contractors and such.
9) Wean ourselves off of credit. (See Dave Ramsey)
10) Stop driving. Enough said. I need to figure out riding in the rain, or buy the neighbor's moped and get a rain-suit
11) Learn other skills. Never stop learning, and learn some useful trade skills. My grandparents knew how to do many things. Grandma could grow, cook, and can just about anything. They both took up ceramics as an extra income and it kept them going after 'retirement'.
12) Vote. Wisely.
13) Buy American when possible?
What Else?
WHOA bro!
I think you just about covered everything I could've ever thought of.
Great ideas!
I think there's probably one or two in there that someone (might?) could really be inspired to use.
In fact, #4 has inspired us - somewhat. So much so .. that we are planning on building a co-operative spousal business around a similar topic. So far ... no details as of yet. But hang on, and there'll be more coming down the turnpike from us. I hope!
Christy has seen several videos and comments about line 2 in #5. We've even thought about that - because when it rains here it drops 4 inches in like 5 minutes. So it would be great to catch that water and use it for gray water uses.
Thanks,
Al
Cheap simple vacations: I tried to ask my uncle about their 'mini vacations' as children. People didn't used to fly across the country. They couldn't leave the farm for more than a half-day. Really, we waste a lot of time and money, in one sense of the word 'waste'.
Develop a "local" guide to what do do in your county and state, and setup a website? Lots of pics and such, with promo links? You already have what it takes.
Partner with the local KFC? I know the family used to grab KFC and go to Sauvie's Island beach for the day.
It's not about a hike or beach, it's about the "Total package". Low on $$$, bit on simplicity and memories. i.e. "When going to xxx beach, remember to bring a shovel and bucket to make sandcastles", or "This beach doesn't have bathrooms, so use xxx restroom first".
Or how about "economical but fun and simple birthday party ideas". Forget party city, and make your own stuff and play simple games. :)
Good stuff.
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