18 Sings You're Boke & How to Fix it!

Bruce’s Poor Man’s Recession Bulletin
Your choice for urban survival resources
http://www.PoorManSurvival.com


In This Issue:

1. Flat Broke in America-an Economic Education Series
2. Turn what you know into dough
3. Basic Emergency Preparations
4. Rich Dad, Poor Dad Video
5. 20 Things you’ll need to survive the collapse
6. The Caretaker Gazette
7. Can a Monkey do Your Job?-Humor Video from the 50s




No one party can fool all the people all of the time.
That’s why we have two parties.
--Bob Hope



While government derails America…

Few of us still believe the propaganda spewed forth from Washington about our national debt and out of control spending. The market for gold and silver speaks volumes to how the economy is truly working and how China is taking the premier lead internationally on many fronts.

Oh sure, there a promising signs everywhere. The stock market has ticked upward and the jobs picture is ‘improving’ according to mainstream news. However, for main street, they are still waiting for the ‘chicken in every pot and a Ford in every driveway.’

Only 27% of US citizens believe America is still the top dog in the world.

But most of us have noticed how much the price of fuel has gone up recently. It’s ironic however, our Dept. of Energy came into being during the Carter years with the promise of getting us off our foreign oil addition. Back then we imported 28% of our oil, now it’s 70%…how’s that for an impressive agency record?

Many are predicting $150 oil barrel prices before the end of the year. Not so good for retailers, good for online sellers.

As the buying power of our dollar continues to shrink, the cost of everything will continue to rise.

Like many of our area farmers, you could consider buying an above-ground fuel storage tank. A 200-gallon size goes anywhere from $500 used to $1200 new and they can even be found on eBay. The Poor Man owns several 5-gallon sized containers and I use Sta-bil to keep the fuel fresh. http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/surv/sta-bil.htm


You might consider checking this resource (I haven’t used it as of yet) to lock in today’s prices for gasoline at www.MoreGallons.com or call them at: 800-410-1877. They enable you to buy 100s of gallons of fuel in advance at a fixed price, whenever you want. The downside is their $79 membership fee and a small fee for each gallon you consume.

In this issue you’ll find a variety of educational videos about being broke in America (and in Australia) and some ways to better understand how the economy works. I started this issue with a bit of humor on the 18 signs you’re flat broke!


18 Signs You're Flat Broke

1. American Express calls and says: "Leave home without it!"

2. Your idea of a 7-course meal is taking a deep breath outside a restaurant.

3. You're formulating a plan to rob the food bank.

4. You've rolled so many pennies, you've formed a psychic bond with Abe Lincoln.

5. Long distance companies don't call you to switch anymore.

5. You look at your roommate and see a large fried chicken in tennis shoes.

6. Your rob Peter... and then rob Paul.

7. You finally clean your house, hoping to find change.

8. You think of a lottery ticket as an investment.

9. You give blood everyday... just for the orange juice.

10. McDonald's supplies you with all your kitchen condiments.

11. At communion you go back for seconds.

12. You wash your toilet paper.

13. You have to save up to be poor.

14. You're in college.

15. On thanksgiving your dad would bring home a picture of a thanksgiving meal.

16. You owe yourself money.

17. You are sterilizing your urine for re-consumption.

18. Your imaginary friend has more money than you.

Get some real help when you find yourself in a dire financial situation
http://www.youngmoney.com/credit_debt/flat-broke-find-help-for-rent-food-heat-and-more/

Watch the 20/20 news clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcsKi2hNuUw

Debt Land-How an Australian went from a house to living in a garage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGaXnAAAZXA&feature=related


Finally, view this 5-part series Money as Debt from Lifeboat News. Would be a good series to share with all family members as most citizens haven’t a clue how money works.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVkFb26u9g8


John Hofmeister, the former president of Shell Oil, believes that American consumers will likely be paying 5 dollars for a gallon of gas by the time 2012 rolls around.

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Quick business startup ideas Courtesy of Bottom Line Inc.

Turn what you know into dough

If you want more cash, consider starting a part-time business. Almost everyone has the skills and time needed to launch a business that’s capable of generating an extra $500 to $1,000 per month.
With a part-time business, the smart strategy is to get it up and running within a week or two for no more than a few hundred dollars. How to do it...

LOW-COST BUSINESS IDEAS

Identify skills that you already possess that could be turned into a service-oriented business. Possibilities...
Tutoring. Tutor students or help high school students prepare for their SATs or ACTs. Teachers, former teachers, professors and those with degrees from prestigious universities are particularly likely to attract clients.
Auto care/repair. If you’re good with cars, offer auto-maintenance and basic repair services.
Computer. Provide tech support to individuals or small businesses. Set up computer networks, solve problems, optimize computer performance or create and manage Web sites.
Foreign language. If you’re fluent in a foreign language, tutor those who want to learn it or students struggling with their foreign language classes.
Handyman. Home maintenance and repair services always are in demand.
Music/acting. Tight budgets are forcing many public schools to cut back on music and theater programs, creating openings for private tutors.
Photography. Offer portrait or wedding photography services.
Sewing/alterations. Alterations are on the rise as people choose to repair, not replace, clothing.
Sports. Help promising young athletes hone their abilities. Those who played a sport professionally or for a prestigious college program are most likely to attract clients.
Woodworking. High-quality handcrafted wooden bowls and other carved kitchen items can fetch attractive prices in boutiques and at arts and crafts fairs.
If you do not have a particular skill that is likely to be in demand, there are service businesses that do not require extensive training or skills (though experience is, of course, helpful). Possibilities include...

In-home elder care
Child care/day care
Lawn and garden care
Carpooling/driving services
Pet walking/pet sitting
Housesitting
Housecleaning


BUSINESSES TO AVOID

Certain businesses are best avoided by people seeking to earn extra cash with little risk...
Retail stores. Retailing typically requires an expensive inventory, long hours, employees and leased commercial property. Retailers must compete with Internet sellers and massive chains.
Franchises. Profitable franchises charge big up-front franchise fees that part-time business people typically cannot afford.
"New idea" businesses. It takes lots of time and marketing dollars to convince consumers to spend their money on something that they’ve never spent it on before. The failure rate for such businesses is very high. More than 485,000 applications for US patents were filed in 2008 -- only a few of these will be successful. It is better to offer a service that people already understand.


MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

The most cost-effective marketing tool is word of mouth...
Visit local businesses that offer related but not overlapping services. Tell the owners or managers of these businesses what your business does. Ask if you can post a flyer in their windows or leave a stack of flyers on the counter.
Examples: Someone starting a house-sitting or lawn-care business could contact real estate agents.
Consider sharing a storefront location. Ask area businesses that are in some way related to your intended field if they have extra space that they are willing to sublet to you. This can be much cheaper than renting your own space, and you’ll have an inside track on that existing business’s customers.
Example: Someone starting a sewing and alterations business could sublet space at a dry cleaner.
Contact organizations that work with your intended customer base.
Example: If you intend to provide tutoring or music lessons to kids, contact local schools and youth clubs.
Volunteer your services to local nonprofits. It’s a good way to make contacts and show off your skills.
Offer satisfied customers a discount on their next purchase if they refer someone who also becomes a customer.


TAXES, LICENSES AND INSURANCE

Don’t worry about taxes at first. New businesses typically have 90 days from the date they start taking in money to get tax payments squared away. It’s best not to get bogged down in such details sooner than necessary, but do ask your accountant if you need to charge tax on any of your goods and/or services. Don’t worry about hiring a lawyer or incorporating your business until your business is up and running.

A few details do need to be sorted out before your business gets going...
Contact your town or county offices to find out if you need any licenses or permits.
Set up a separate checking account for business expenses and receipts.
Ask your insurance agent about professional liability insurance, particularly if your business involves anything that could cause injury or trigger a lawsuit.
Contact your auto insurance provider if you plan to use your personal vehicle for business. Your existing policy is unlikely to cover business use.

Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Loral Langemeier, CEO of Live Out Loud, Inc., a coaching and seminar company with offices in Nevada and California. She regularly appears on the Dr. Phil show as a money expert and is author of many books on finance, including the bestseller The Millionaire Maker (McGraw-Hill) and, most recently, Put More Cash in Your Pocket (Harper). www.liveoutloud.com.

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Well known financial guru provides home biz info-Worth watching Rich Dad
Robert Kiyosaki - How to start a Legitimate Home Based Business Legitimate Home Based Business Opportunity A legitimate home based business opportunity in a very well established company with all the training, support systems and marketing tools necessary to .. Business Ideas on a Budget - 10 Legitimate Businesses You Can ... Business Ideas on a Budget. 10 Legitimate Businesses You Can Start for Under $20 .... Home-based business ideas that won't break the bank. Home Business: Getting Started FAQ Stay-at-Home Parents. http://kiyosaki-blog.blogspot.com/2011/01/robert-kiyosaki-how-to-start-legitimate.html

Jim Daniels, one of the pioneers of creating a business online offers sage advice
http://www.bizweb2000.com/incomeplan.html

Get Leslie's friendly resources from her site
Helping You Work At Home Since 1998
Work-At-Home Success
http://www.workathomesuccess.com

THE CARETAKER GAZETTE is a unique newsletter containing property caretaking and house sitting jobs, advice, and information for property caretakers, housesitters, and landowners. Published since 1983, it's the only publication in the world dedicated to the property caretaking field. Another potential avenue to explore for employment.

http://www.caretaker.org/
http://www.caretaker-jobs.com/caretaker_benefits.cfm
http://www.escapeartist.com/efam31/rentfree.html



Top 11 New Business Opportunity Predictions of ‘11
http://www.springwise.com/businessideas2011/

MLM and small business opportunities, you’ll get a hoot from this cartoon explaining network marketing. On paper, this way of doing business makes perfect sense. In reality, I’m uncertain as my few experiences have not proven favorable…might be due to the preconceived overall negative impressions most folks have.
http://kiyosaki-blog.blogspot.com/2011/01/network-marketing-cartoon-explained.html


Hey PM.-us ‘poor folk’ here in Ohio appreciate your useful newsletter. We need all the help we can get and we suggest your stuff to everyone! --CJ, Toledo


HSN To Sell Gadgets From Quirky
If you have an idea that you feel would make the perfect invention but you don’t really want to do the work to bring it to fruition, Quirky is the website to visit. For $10, would-be inventors are able to pitch their idea for consideration. People, known as “influencers,” pick over the idea. [...]

World food prices rose to a record in December on higher sugar, grain and oilseed costs, the United Nations said, exceeding levels reached in 2008 that sparked deadly riots from Haiti to Egypt.

Basic Preparations for an Emergency

Start by creating an action plan for your family and rehearse it a few times.

8. Follow the 3-day rule. Have on enough food, water & first aid items to last at least three days. Don’t forget pet foods too if applicable. Other items to have on hand is a good flash light, candles, wind up radio, and we keep a pair of two-mile radius 2-way radios along with a supply of batteries.
9. Get everyone involved. Have a family meeting to decide how you will communicate (a spare, fully charged cell phone works well). Decide where everyone might meet in an emergency. Get more tips at: 72hours.org
10. Keep your cell phone charged or carry a spare battery. Program an “In Case of Emergency” number into it and sign up for your town’s Mobile Alert Service if they have one.
Get more information at our PoorManSurvival.com site by clicking on the Preparedness Tab.

Thanks Mr. Green for sharing this resource!
What To Do If A Nuclear Disaster Is Imminent!
KI4U Nuke Prep Expertise & Solutions!
If you do nothing else here, read our myth-busting expose...
http://www.ki4u.com

Another potential job finding resource to consider...
www.CareerBliss.com


Don’t forget to rotate stock in your food storage pantry. Although most canned goods are good for up to a year beyond their expiration date, they do lose much of their nutrient value.


Weekly news roundup

How to Live on Nothing (practically)-the how-to video
Plus...humorous look at how to beg for money (hint: dump the wine bottle)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBd6r9d-kyc&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvDzu69PIUk

Ingenious Hiding Spot:Place a fake electrical box on your wall near your existing breaker box and add warning stickers (available online & hardware stores) reading DANGER: High Voltage...few with mess it!


According to Gallup, the unemployment rate actually rose to 9.6% at the end of December. This was a significant increase from 9.3% in mid-December and 8.8% at the end of November.
*Not only that, but Gallup also says that the underemployment rate is moving up dramatically. According to Gallup, the underemployment rate in the United States increased to 19.0% during December, which was up substantially from 18.5% in mid-December and 17.2% at the end of November.
*The percentage of Americans participating in the labor force is now the lowest it has been since the early 1980s. In December, the Labor Force Participation Rate fell to 64.3%. Over the last twenty years, the Labor Force Participation Rate has usually been around 66 or 67 percent. So do less Americans want jobs today? Of course not. What has happened is that millions of Americans have become so discouraged about the lack of jobs that they aren't even actively searching anymore.

*The number of Americans working part-time for "economic reasons" continues to hover around all-time highs.

Speaking of part time…Although I’ve never advertised this fact, the PM picked up some ‘pin money’ this week by writing two blogs for another business. The fellow happened upon my site and liked what he read. Another time I was approached by one of those Pay day loan places to write something positive about their business. I couldn’t think of anything positive, so I declined. In the previous issue I mentioned that during the American Revolution, pins were hard to come by & became valuable as a barter item, hence the term ‘pin money.’

There are many businesses which will pay you to write about them, write content for their site, blog or company newsletter. If writing is something you do well, consider elance.com…
Outsource to expert programmers, designers, writers, translators, marketers, researchers and admin contractors with tested skills.

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Learn more about optimizing your health & making extra money
www.Symmetrydirect.com/Optimum

7 Techniques for Creating a Profitable Business Idea
http://www.homebusinessguru.net/7techniques.htm
<<< The ever expanding Nanny State restricts our rights & job growth…
Fiction is becoming reality in America as gov’t seeks to control everything. If you still believe in freedom and individual rights, see the John Stossel series about Ayn Rand-very enlightening 6-part series.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNk45cqkiyk&feature=related


The Rumor Mill: Number one topic spoke about at recent investor & economic conferences held-the decline of American dominance and its decline in its economy & society…but despite our high unemployment, falling educational standards, etc., no palpable signs of deflation. Prices, except for real estate, remain the same. US debt levels/GDP ratios will exceed 100% in 2011. Watch for gold & silver prices continue upward.
The state of IL is going to raise income tax by 66% to cover its deficits. Other states are overjoyed! Guess those hapless citizens are stuck (literally).
In light of all the snow which has fallen across the nation, one enterprising person posted a sign on his front lawn that read “Unassembled Snowmen for Sale-Cheap.”

From the US Department of Humor—Can a Monkey Do your job?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQeqGffK7LA&feature=related


Vegetable seeds will be scarce. Go to: www.sustainablegardensupply.com to order.


Parting shots…

Little different format this week. I like to shake it up a bit so you never quite know what to expect from PM, except we always strive to provide useful information & resources!

Our country has been successful due to the freedoms and opportunities afforded entrepreneurs. Since the 1960s government red tape and stupidity has slowly choked a lot of that small business spirit, depriving America of jobs and its leadership role.

Sadly, in the months and years to come millions more working American families will be pushed into poverty-like conditions by rising inflation.
Already we are seeing huge numbers of American families that are working as hard as they can not being able to afford the basics.

A year-end survey conducted by Pew Research found the following....
*51% of Americans say that it is difficult to afford health care.
*48% of Americans say that it is difficult to pay their home heating and electric bills.
*29% of Americans say that it is difficult to afford food.

It can be really depressing to search for a decent job month after month after month when there doesn't seem to be any out there.

The best thing government can do is to get out of the way!


Until next time, I remain…
Your lonely defender of “truth, justice & fair play” the ‘Poor Man’

http://www.PoorManSurvival.com

http://www.OldBookNook.com

http://www.GreenIrene.com/Poorman

Don't Get Caught With Your Pantry Down-New 11th Ed.
http://tinyurl.com/PMBasics

Free Money assistance for women, businesses, more.
http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?poorman11/mlesko

A Shallow Planet Production