10 Ways to Beat the Recession

by Brenda Nelson on Oct 08, 2008 with 32 Comments

Not just how to get through it, but how to turn it around. Beat the recession, don’t just cope with it.

Let us establish one thing right of the mark, when you shop in most stores, they have three ways of loosing your money. First off your money goes somewhere else to pay for the goods you were just sold. Made in China, means some of your money goes to China, Made in India, means some goes there, Made in Peru, same deal. The other way they lose your money, is that if they are a chain, they have to pay head offices. Thus, the money leaves your community forever. If they are in a mall, who owns the mall? Is it a local individual or big corporate giant? Who gets the rent?

Below, I have listed some ways to help the money stay local, either in your community, in your country, or in your pocket. Some have small portions of money that may leave, but overall are sounder for protecting the economy than buying foreign made goods in a chain store owned by a foreign company.

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I realize you may not be an American, I know I am not, but this is one of the most recognized monetary notes there is. Rest assured, it is YOUR local economy I am referring to in this article, not the USA economy.

  1. Shop at local Farmers Markets.

    You can buy most anything, from vegetables to fruit, to home baked pies or sweaters. When you shop at farmers markets you put the money directly into the hands of another local individual. Hopefully they will spend it locally as well, and in turn it will keep the local economy strong.

  2. Buy from Consignment stores.

    Read more in Personal Finance
    « How to Stay Within Your Budget
    How to Keep Yourself Afloat (When Everything Around You is Sinking) »

    There are many different kinds of consignment stores. Some consign clothing, others may sell local arts and crafts. Generally the owners and consignors are local thus keeping the profits close to home. The only disadvantage to this is that the products used to make any craft items may be bought elsewhere, so some of the money did not stay local.

  3. Eat out at independent restaurants (not chains).

    Near where I live there is a terrific local restaurant, entirely independent, and they buy as much local produce as they can for use in their restaurant. Not only is this good for the local economy, it is also brilliant environmentally. Tip your waitress and that helps too.

  4. Grow your own food.

    Realistically you wont be able to grow all the food you need, but if you can grow some it helps you keep your money for other things. Beating a recession is in part saving, and in part spending. When too many people stop spending we have a problem, so by saving on food, you can spend on other things. With the exception of food bought at farmers markets, much of the food sold in grocery stores comes from far away, by growing some of your own, you are not sending your money far away to get more for next time, you are keeping it at home (or in the local economy), where it is needed most.

  5. Raise Chickens.

    Not hundreds of them, but perhaps two or three, or like me, four. I do not eat them, but I do eat their eggs. I get more eggs than I need, and I sell those really cheap. $1 a dozen. The chicken feed costs so little and they benefit me by eating bugs, and looking cute. Not everybody can keep hens (you don’t want or need a rooster) but if you can, it is worth considering. You have helped the economy because you are making local money, and reducing the need to buy at a grocery store. Buying free range eggs from a local individual is the next best thing to producing your own.

  6. Buy goods made in your own country.

    If you are buying “NEW” then buying things made in other countries is like sending half your money to that country, because theoretically the store will buy another to replace it for resale. Depending how the store marks up their items and if a middle man (wholesaler) were involved, a good chunk of your money is now gone from the local economy. If an item is made in your own country, the money leaves the small local economy but at least it stays in your country.

  7. Shop at local independent stores (not chains).

    Why put money into massive head offices of corporations or giant chains? Why make the rich richer? Are they going to include you in their Will? I doubt it. Independent stores spend their profits locally, hopefully.

  8. Support local service industries.

    Like I said earlier, tip your waitress, dog groomer, cabbie, or hairdresser. Local servers taking your money means some of that will remain local, and will come back to you eventually. Help the economy by helping others to get by too.

  9. Shop at garage sales.

    Super good way of finding unique items. You can easily by products made in other countries totally guilt free when you shop at garage sales. The seller hopefully will embrace the ideas mentioned here and keep the money local too. Of course if it is a sale because they are moving out of the country, well the money is gone too, but that is not often the case.

  10. In places that allow it, return pop bottles for refunds.

    I saved the simplest for last. Some areas allow you to return empty pop and beer bottles for a cash refund. This is a great way to make money from something that is otherwise considered garbage. If you make money, you have more to spend. Spending money (locally) is the best way to boost the economy, right?

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  1. Melody Arcamo Lagrimas | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Thank you for sharing this. I definitely do some of them, and some I have yet to try.

  2. Denice | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    The rich get richer only because of people who let them! The rich are the ones who own or invest in the big chains. I have refused to shop at big chains for years. THey are not getting rich because of me.

  3. B Nelson | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    additionaly things that keep money local
    - hire a kid to mow your lawn rather than a company
    - have the out of work guy down the street, who is always working on cars, change the oil on your car, rather than taking it to the shop.

  4. dTrav001 | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Yes, yes … yes! My wife and I have been doing these things for 20 yrs, and I cannot begin to tell you the freedom and confidence it’s brought to our lives. I feel like I’ve been shouting this from the rooftops for years … FIND SOME GUTS! Take control of your lives, become responsible, and above all, make some decisions for yourself! (Whew … thanks!)

  5. Darrin | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    I just wish enough people would follow these simple guidelines whenever possible. It’s so simple to turn things around if people just focused on fixing the situation instead of focusing on the problem. Wonderful post!

  6. Darla Smith | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Very informative article. I already do several of those.

  7. Denny Lyon | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Excellent read! Here in Louisiana we have more of a European mindset when it comes to business as here everyone buys local. Louisiana likes Louisiana food, vegetables, one owner restaurants, small Mom and Pop stores. We tend to hire small local business owners for services whenever available, lots of little guys doing lawn service here. People like garage sales just out of curiosity as to what could be interesting for the artistic (lots of artists and musicians here too).

    And then there is that pest the “Mart” that has displaced a lot of small pharmacies, boutiques and the like… oh, to run them out of town on a rail! :)
    What’s interesting to note is that while the giant has succeeded in finding a niche for itself it has not been successful in a complete takeover of the local custom of supporting small businesses.

    Lately, as news of how “Mart” refuses to hire full time employees and then teaches them how to get on welfare in each state and get health care, food stamps and the like at the state’s expense, people’s interest in that store has begun to wane. Nothing like it when the truth gets out, huh?! :)

  8. Karen Gross | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Great ideas – thank you Nelson! Another good idea would be for every individual to stop living on credit in our materialist, self-centered, “buy now – pay later” culture. It really scares me how many ads I am seeing that offer you whatever you want today, with no payments for years! Will you really have saved up the money to pay for it later? And what about all the pre-approved credit card application forms that I keep getting in the mail – and I am not even employed!

    Sorry, just ranting:)

  9. thestickman | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Good ideas. I like “keep your own chickens”. I wish I could here, but growing up on the farm, I had a coupe with nearly 200 chickens and yes, we had eggs.
    Free-range chickens not only eat bugs (also environmentally friendly because these are flies and grubs that otherwise would besiege the house & hoursebarn, meaning, less need for pesticides there!), and chickens eat grass and green things. -This makes for FAR healthier eggs, with a much dark-orange yolk. Not those ‘lemony-yellow’ store-boughts, but ORANGE yolks! A different talk, too!

    Just don’t use chicken droppings for garden fertilizer… chicken urates (poo & pee combined) used in any concentration are too high in nitrates and will ‘burn’ the plants & soil for quite awhile… (an occasional chick-poo won’t kill a garden, but using it as loam, will.)

    -thestickman

  10. Dan Haugh | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Raise chickens? Never thought of that. I always thought that some day I wold run off and grow rice. Wherever you have to go to do that. ;-) Actually the price of rice is quite high these days.
    Great combination. I have always liked chicken and rice soup.

  11. Liane Schmidt | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Great article and ideas. I wish I could raise chicken, but I don’t think my apartment neighbors would appreciate that – haha!

    Blessings.

    Sincerely,

    -Liane Schmidt.

  12. Karen N | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Excellent tips!

  13. Carol | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Great ideas! I’m interested in raising chickens for eggs, but haven’t investigated it enough yet. Another way to help your neighbor/help yourself is to join and online group like ReUseIt http://www.reuseitnetwork.org/ to keep usable items out of the landfill and money in your pocket!

  14. PR Mace | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Excellent ideas. I think next year I will try a small garden in my backyard. I would love a few chickens but don’t think it is allowed in my neighborhood.

  15. Ruby Hawk | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Great ideas, I agree with them everyone.

  16. RJ Chamberlain | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Some great ideas here B Nelson. Thanks

  17. Eunice Tan | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Great tips Nelson. May be we should work together with some people (neighbor) to raise chicken :)

  18. eddiego65 | Oct 8, 2008 | Reply

    Excellent tips. Now more than ever, people must work together to cope through these hard times.

  19. B Shokralla | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply

    Sweet i wana riase Chikens.CHIKENS!Buck Buck Buckak!

  20. B Nelson | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply

    For anyone who is interested in Chickens here is an article from this site on keeping them as pets, you will note you dont need a rooster to get eggs…

    http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Unusual-Pets-Chickens.76299

  21. Kim Buck | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply

    I support of these ideas but the garage sale & consignment shop shopping. Something about them both make me feel dirty – but that is just my opinion.

    Keep it funky – buy local!

  22. donnaalene3 | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply

    great ideas,thankyou

  23. Brian Daniel Stankich | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply

    These are some nice tips.

  24. Lena Brown | Oct 9, 2008 | Reply

    Great tips, cool article. Thanks for all the cool ideas…

  25. Tel Asiado | Oct 10, 2008 | Reply

    Practical ideas, thanks.
    Have been doing some of them…

  26. RJ Evans | Oct 10, 2008 | Reply

    An array of excellent ideas. They may ve common sense but we take too much for granted and it is not too difficult to redirect one’s money locally!

  27. Dorothy Valone | Oct 10, 2008 | Reply

    I love consignment and garage sale shopping. It’s a great way to stretch a buck. I’ll buy anything I need as long as it can be washed. In my opinion, that’s the ONLY way to buy jeans. They’re already broken in, pre-shrunk, and so comfy. I wouldn’t buy a new pair of jeans even if I could afford it.

  28. Uncle B | Nov 2, 2008 | Reply

    Avoid burning gasoline and oil! All the money for these sins goes to our enemies, the 9/11 folks! We have lots of natural gas, us it, and keep the $ at home! I feed my wife and I about 70% of the food we eat, from my backyard garden! Study the net, learn to garden, can,preserve and dry food, then learn how to brew good home brew, make wine, ferment sauerkraut, and make home-made dark breads. Pickles are easy to make, keep well, and taste great once aged! We also make great fruitcakes and enjoy home-grown spices. Oregano and Basil along with garlic are easy to grow and dry. Dill will almost grow wild in my garden and needs little care. I canned potatoes this year just for hellery and they make great fast stews that way! I wanted to wax some turnips but they freeze well so I haven’t tried it yet. Canning peaches and pears is a breeze, cherries too! All this takes time, not a weekend thing, so if you lose your job don’t lose heart, but keep your job as long as possible! Buy a rototiller for insurance!

  29. Jadeluv28 | Feb 27, 2009 | Reply

    Yes the chickens are a great idea. We have about 30 of them and they come in handy with supplying us with eggs as well as our surrounding neighbors. We sell them for $1 per dozen and it helps with the cost of the chicken feed and I prefer them over store bought eggs.

  30. Rudy A Davidson | Mar 15, 2009 | Reply

    I’m going to share this with my folks. Might help out quite a bit.

  31. Dianne | Jul 25, 2009 | Reply

    This is dead on great advise. For mew za reminder — but like others herhave been doing these things for years. IMHO there is more going on than we can solve with just these things. They are are a necessary but not a suficient condition to make the big shift.

    THe big stores inevidably are where we have to go to buy a washing machine, or any other ytechnolical goodie that isa typical of our technolical world. Just using the computer has
    us connected to that world. That is the “economy” that effects us one way or another.

    There are three critical issues that I see as core to what is going on and what has to change.

    The first is “Built in obsolesence” — This practice by manufacturers owned by big corporations is what I beleive to be the real core of the problem of the recession. So we may get out of this one only to find another just around the corner vbecause there is so much debt. And we stay in debt not just because we have credit cards but because everything keeps breaking down — as soon as the warranty is up! And we cannot get anything fixed because that would put $ into local pockets. So the big boys have this totally tied up!

    We must not buy into the myths they want us to believe that without built in obsolescence that people would stopp buying and the econoymy would falter. It is exactly the other way around.

    We must get out of the built in obsolesence mode and start buying quality over quantity and demanding it. Now I had noticed this quite a while ago and had no sooner mentioned it to someone than it came out on the news that this is the real issue why the automobile industry has gone under. But they only spoke of this industry — when the practise is rampant.

    A good example is clothing. Polyester and all other man made fibers are made from petroleum. They are not warm or comfortable but that is mostly what we can buy. It doesn’t wear or last like natural fibers.

    What if we startred asking for and demanding 20 year warrantees again! And products that could be made locally and FIXED locally!

    Second Isse: We have become a world unto our own little individual selves. We function like a little cell. But we forget that organically each cell must be part of a larger function .
    Our individualism — particularly economic puts us all but a very few into crisis mode on a regular basis.

    In Canada now we have a lot more Co-operatives like for gas a and a few for food. And we have credit unions that help the local economy. BUT – these are still a long way from the kind of neighborly support that we used to have. Now the only tiome we band together is when there is a severe disaster like a flood or fire and then help out our neighbor and get govt involved!

    Even food banks have rules and regulations and anything that exists to help people has the number one priority associated wit
    hit — rob them of their dignity while we give the handout!

    We need to be more astute about how true communities work for people to support each other and make that a priority for getting out of our economic mess. And sometimes that means helping out financially — not just going to a bank and run to keep things lega because we are going to get ripped off. We must learn to give from the heart in new ways. Well maybe old ways renewed.

    And finally we must find a way to put the Corporate Giants that controll things at bay and subject to democratic regulation . Accountable despite their greedy capitalist interests. Whether it is big banks or monstrous agriculture industries they controll us when it needs to be reversed.

    These are the three simple but hugely difficult issues we face in our times. If every decision we make we look at how it impacts one of these 3 issues and rethink it. We will in short order have a new economy.
    ‘
    One of the first is when you buy your seeds to plant a garden make sure they are heritage seeds. They might not be exacly local to find (if you can great but if not search around) this will hel the shift. And other things like it.

    Have a great day everyone. And keep the local poor in your prayers and heart.
    Dianne

  32. THELMA | Jul 25, 2009 | Reply

    HI, I’M VERY MUCH WITH DIANNE’S COMMENTS.
    ONE MORE THING-
    BOYCOTT MANUFACTURED NEWS.
    DEMAND NEWS B UT ONLY GOOD. GOOD NEWS FIRST AND FOREMOST NOT BURIED AS A TOKEN IN THE DAILY NEWS.
    THELMA

    CRIME IS DOWN AND STILL WE GET HYSTERIA ON THE TOP NEWS AND IN OUR EMAILS.

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