Plan B.

Originally Posted by Patriot76

I have always been concerned about the effects of our social welfare system and the difference between a hand out and hand up. JFK said it best, Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. If our society believed this, it would solve many of our economic, political, and social problems. Childhooddream hit on another ingredient for our problems. Not only is our government controlled by debt and living beyond its means, but many citizens are living in the same manner.

My plan B is the same as my plan A, plan C, etc. I am debt free and this in itself is a great asset to ensure survival. My focus in retirement is self sufficiency. Hunting and fishing have been a big part of my entire life for recreation and now it provides additional food. This year I started my first garden, a disaster but hopefully I will get better with time. Learning something new everyday is a priority. I was never a mechanic so now after tearing things apart and admitting defeat, I hire a mechanic. The difference for me is helping the mechanic with the repairs. This way I learn tricks of the trade that might help with the next breakdown. I am sure this strategy has saved me hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

My business plan is pretty simple: scrapping and farm restoration. For the farm restoration side of the business I look for things that others do not have the time, equipment, or desire to do on their own. Showing a customer how much money they can make in the long run by paying me is a huge part of my strategy.

Now for the safety valve of my lifestyle, something I have not talked about or seen on the forum. I do a lot of bartering and yes I pay taxes on it. After all I have a responsibility to help pay for social welfare, Obamacare, multiple cell phones for those on welfare, etc. It is assumed many on this forum participate in this type of economics but do not want to admit it publically so I will. Labor is traded for the use of equipment, hunting rights, or garden vegetables. Firewood is traded for used oil, loaning my trailer to have someone spray weeds, and cleaning out sheds for scrap. I sell farm machinery for farmers in return for references, donate antique equipment for the PR, and trade metal art for horse tack. This morning I helped a neighbor with computer issues and helped them advertise several items on Craigs List in return for the use of their pontoon boat. My college wrestling buddies are planning a walleye fishing/beer drinking tournament latter this summer and we needed a stable boat for the occasion. (Clarification, I am far from an expert on computers but to a 75 year old farmer I am a guru.)



So bartering seems to be my safety net and one that will serve well during bad economic times. It is amazing the types of deals that one can make and how beneficial they are to all parties. My guess is that if the economy goes to pot, this will be the most valuable plan B.

every one needs to take a serious look at this post! A LESSON IN IMPROVING YOUR POSITION IN TODAY'S WORLD.