[POLL]: Given High Interest Rates & Inflation, How's Dec. Progressing?

There are days when the thought of whether or not I feel guilty for needing a break has crossed my mind. The answer is no. I do not feel guilty at all. I still have my goals and I’m a strong believer in resetting these goals to fit my circumstances. My current circumstance is that my body is sending me warning signs. It’s telling me to slow down. 

I’ve decided that for the rest of this year, I’m going to wind things down a bit and slow down the pace. The plan is to step into 2023 with a more practical approach. Don’t get me wrong. I’ll still be booked, busy and blessed but I’ll be booking more time for myself, being less busy and still getting the blessings!

Life isn’t a competition. It’s OK to be ambitious, driven and determined, but just not at the cost of your health or sanity. I’m taking this time to slow down, carve out more time for myself and do the things that genuinely make me happy. And I’m hoping this will prompt you to take a step back, be honest with yourself and re-evaluate your life and goals.

This is a string instrument shop.  We have roughly the same number of sales, however, where the average sale used to be $3,000 to $8,000 - 10,000, the typical sale is now under $2,000.  Parents, while they still wish to have their teen in music, their budget no longer provides the teen with the quality of instrument that would have been possible pre-pandemic.  Many parents, who would have purchased in the past, are now choosing to rent instead.

We are just barely able to cover our expenses but there is no income to cover our accounts payable.  I have dealt with my major supplier for 30 years.  I am so thankful for that relationship!  He is the only reason, I am still in business.

Thanks for your great work. I love small, local and moving past colonization. I do not advocate that we all move to live off grid in a Tipi. I do advocate that

we each plant an indigenous tree as recommended by Diana Kroeger Beresford . I would love people to join my online Just Transition 2023 

Bookclub. In Gratitude, Frances Scully 

I just do my business as usual and don’t let the media hype affect my mindset. 

For those of you who do not have a clear financial picture for your future, but would like one, I would like to offer you a complimentary Financial Needs Analysis.  I think people can better answer this question if they know exactly where they are financially and where they need to be.

I am a grape grower that gets paid after harvest once a year.  Prices per ton have been stagnate for the last 12 years if you can even sell your crop.  We cannot compete with third world countries.  Wine is way cheaper there, even with the shipping costs.  Free trade is not fair trade.  Prices continue to increase and inflation is a tax that impacts all in many ways most don't realize.  Almost impossible to find qualified employees with educated common sense that even want to work on a farm.  Costs to farm the land is unbearable.  With a flatlined income for 12 years; fuel/diesel costs, fertilizer costs, parts/supplies (if you can get them), maintenance costs, insurance, taxes, water concerns (if you can get water), and all other cost of living expenses have exploded.  The farmers upside-down world is a rapid downhill ride which will put many out of business.  Neighbors have been selling properties to get out or maintain for several years now.  For the past several years now we have needed to get bank loans to pay our expenses to get us to payday.  Everything is broken, getting worse in the last couple years especially, and it doesn't have to be this way!

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That puppet in the white house has made an incentive among the labor pool to be on UE instead of in the labor pool so the work is there but short staffing is preventing growth.

Interesting! I'm finishing the development of a higher-end Art Consulting Business; this can serve local wineries, other businesses and higher end homes, newly purchased. Also, I've learned more about Affiliate Marketing, Social Networking. I've been successful with selling items over $100K; Artisan-Homebuilding, Stained Glass for Churches & Public Works. I still have a few weekly shifts as a Caregiver, no mortgage payment or rent, some family help-- but an injury & costs of natural treatments, has left some debt, so I feel a backup fund is necessary to be able to work with expensive Art Sales. Currently, I'm beginning a search for Govt programs via the Economic Dev. sector, but concerned that the timing might be too slow. Even $7-10K loan would be so helpful just now. Thank you for the work you do, Sincerely, Martina Hill/ [email address]

The current economic climate is challenging for businesses of all sizes. Many are struggling to stay afloat, while others are working hard to adapt and grow in the face of adversity.

There are a number of ways businesses are coping with the current economic challenges. Many are cutting costs wherever possible, while others are focusing on boosting sales and revenue. Some businesses are doing both.

Many businesses are also looking for ways to diversify their income streams. This can involve anything from developing new products and services to expanding into new markets.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the current economic challenges, but the businesses that are thriving are those that are willing to be flexible and adapt to the changing landscape. With the right strategy, businesses can weather the storm and come out stronger on the other side.