As I watched the news this morning, every story seemed to talk about job layoffs. Car manufacturers, toy stores, appliance manufacturers, banks, no jobs seem to be safe in this turbulent time. Some were talking about layoffs in all departments from management all the way down but others won’t commit to who will be laid off.
   Are there any jobs that are secure? As odd as it may sound, I also heard of a recession-proof business, a business where more help has been hired. That peaked my interest. Shoe repair! The shoe cobbler had said he could work 7 days a week 10-12 hours a day and still not be caught up. 
   With money being tight for most people what better way to save a little? Why buy new when your old favorite pair of shoes can be fixed for less than half the cost of new shoes? For example, to add new heels and soles to a pair of men’s dress shoes would run about $45. Now if you replaced that pair with a new pair it would be more than $100. So, if you do have a favorite pair of shoes in need of repair, don’t throw them away before considering shoe repair. 
   Another business with income going up is the gently used clothing stores. A recent survey showed their profits were up 35% from last year at this time. I guess since most clothes you buy today are "retro" or have that "already worn look" who would know if you buy new or not? The prices usually run about 50-70% less than the original price. 
   If you have never been to a consignment or gently used clothing store it is something you should check out. There are many high quality clothes for great prices and usually there are new (with original tags) items. Some stores also offer smaller gift items. 
   As I reflect on these businesses, I realize they are the heart of our country, the small business owner. They find a need, take a risk and fill it.

Laura Radebaugh - BASE Administration/Adjudication Specialist

   My fourth grade son came home from school a few days ago and relayed that in social studies they had discussed that America was at recess. After some further research into the context of their discussion, I was able to glean that their teacher had been passing on the information that America is officially in a “recession”. I found his verbal mix up quite amusing actually. I’m sure President-Elect Obama doesn’t feel as though he is headed out to recess.
   What I find most amazing about the situation is the way that such a dark time in our modern day history is having a positive effect on our country’s priorities. I liken the scenario to the seat belt laws. For years Americans cruised the country in steal clad muscle cars at outrageous speeds with kids climbing around in the back seat. Finally, the Government said, “hey – you need to wear your seatbelts, and so do your kids!” We commented and complained, got tickets for not wearing the belts, and some of us even threw temper tantrums. Now, a few years down the road, wearing a seatbelt is second nature for most. Actually, NOT having one on leaves me with an uneasy feeling in a car.
   In the face of this recession, we are now forced to make changes that we SHOULD have been making all along; greener fuels, conserving energy, recycling, saving our money instead of purchasing every extravagant item we think we need. Isn’t it ironic, what we should do, we resist until it becomes what we have to do, then we wonder why we weren’t doing it already?
   There are many changes coming for Americans. When President Elect Obama becomes President Obama, we will see revised health care plans and benefit offerings; as more people undergo financial strain, insurance coverage is going to be more and more of an issue for Americans. Everyone will be scraping for alternative methods to save. HRA plans, FSA plans, POP plans – these are just the beginning of what we will see pushing out from the Obama administration. We have had years to put these plans in place voluntarily, eventually they will become a requirement and we will wonder “Why weren’t we doing this all along?”
   So I suppose regardless of whether you are heading out to recess, or dealing with the recession, you should follow the same guidelines. Make good decisions.

Do the things you should do because you can, not because you have to.

Nina Easley - BASE Marketing