Economy, LOW BALLED

Ron Musgraves

Ron Musgraves

Exterior Restoration Specialist
Staff member
Economy, LOW BALLED

What’s in the future of the US?

I traveled around the country and this morning watched way too much television.

This morning I watched a campaign commercial on how bad the economy is. Most of the people saying they are broke are from the Midwest.

I saw the same things, the Midwest while driving seems not as active. I didn’t see as many trucks the stores and restaurants not as busy. Hotels in the east costing less and available. When in the east the hotels sold out the places were busy. When in the south the same thing, people were very busy industry seem to be working.
I’m wondering what our leader are going to do, people want jobs and keep talking about manufacturing. Folks I afraid if you want to work in a factory on assembly you need to move to china, Malaysia or Mexico.
We as Americans need to quit saying brings jobs back, they are not coming back. We as Americans better get back to school and find a place in our current economy to work.
I once would not buy foreign products but now have no choice if I want a car goods or anything else.
My other business we are sending the work overseas to India, they will program ¼ the price and do it better. LOW ballers,,,

The US is being LOW balled; we cannot compete with these countries for goods and service.

It’s difficult, before you get on my case you better check where your hose and you parts are being made. You’re as guilty as I’ am.

I didn’t make this post because I’m doing bad, phoenix is still booming and our market is good. Phx is diversified in the way we have banking and technology. We have a low un-employment and I have relatives in the last year that have moved by me. I have never had more relatives stay in my home in the last year.

I didn’t realize this until I woke up this morning; they really couldn’t find work in IN and OH. They found jobs in Arizona and bought great homes and discounts.

I’m concerned about phx because people are moving in at over 700 a day.

We have always had people moving in and we seemed to accommodate the crowd.

My concern is we all need to think different, if we think we are bringing back ford and GM your nuts. The likely hood of that is as likely as us with drawing our military from IRAC germany, korea or any other place we have had a war.

As Americans how can we change and compete or assist the rest of the world in change we cannot stop?
 
Ron,
I think that you have it all wrong. The economy in Phoenix is terrible. Unemployment is up 1% over the past 6 months. There are people that are living on the streets, and it is just hot.

Though those things are true, it is a matter interpretation. We do have an excellent market, and things are going well here. There are even builders that are getting ready to start up building homes again. It is not as good as it was 2 years ago, but we are getting ready to rebound.
 
I think most of the bad economy is caused by the media screaming about how bad things are. I am right in the middle of the midwest and I don't know anyone that actually wants to work that isn't. It might not be what your dream job is but its something. I think the gas prices are the single biggest problem with the economy right now, and the sad part is that so many people were living so tight that just that extra money in gas can ruin them. I think if the gov't would stay out of the houseing problem then it will fix its self in due time. I just sold a lot that I had to a builder last week. He told me that about 2 1/2 years ago he sold a new home to a woman for 140,000, he noticed while at the closing table the lady was getting 180,000 from the lender, now the lady called him couple months ago to see if he was interested in buying the house back from her for what she owed against it, like 17?,000. Crazy, buying a house used to be a BIG deal, life changing event, something you saved for years for.
 
Here in the poor south I am cleaning 3-9 forclosed homes a week! Around here the rich are getting richer, and the middle class is hurting.
 
The rich are geting richer, because they knew how to get rich to begin with. You could take all of a rich persons money and give it to a poor person, and in a matter of months/years, the poor guy would be poor and the rich guy would be rich again. I dont have sympathy for the people being forclosed on. They bought too much house, plain and simple.
 
When your watching the news always ask these four questions.

1. What is it
2. What should it be
3. What caused it
4. What can be done to fix it


Just because sally the news anchor is yelling "OMG THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 4.8%"

SAY okay sally, now what should it be? Chances are she isn't going to know because she has a degree in journalism not economics. She reads a teleprompter not the data released on the GDP. The national avg unemployment rate will always be around 4-5% for these simple reasons; there are
-people looking for work
-people that can't find work (for what ever reason)
-people that don't want to work!

Also another thing i have against the news is that the economy has to be looked at in a whole . . . you can't just pick on gas, housing, and unemployment.

what about fast food, small business, industry, and other things of the such

I feel that if the economy was realy as in bad shape as the news projects it to be then the government would be stepping in and not just standing around thinking about how to fix it.


I do agree with Ron, we mustn't stand around trying to figure out how to bring GM and Ford back. We must focus on the future and how we can improve our country as a whole.

I for one believe that we MUST increase our exports. The US is just like a business where the main goal is NET profit. You aren't supposed to spend more than you sale. This has been a trend of the us for a very very long time. And this goes strictly against the basic principles of business.

I just think ever one needs to take a step back and a deep breath and collect their thoughts. The world is not going to end, the sky isn't going to fall, and the sun will be up in the morning i promise. I for one am doing just fine with business. Hope every one else has had the same!!!
 
the current economic climate, its portrayal by media, how it is understood and attitudes towards it are thorns in my side at the moment...

there are no two ways about it - the economy is not good, and it is not OK.... it IS in bad shape. Yes, there are always glimmers of hope and success stories, but it cannot be denied that the US and Western economies are in bad shape.

Below are some retail realities:

Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide.

Eddie Bauer to close more stores after closing 27 stores in the first quarter.

Cache, a women’s retailer is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide

Talbots, J. Jill closing stores. Talbots will close all 78 of its kids and men's stores plus another 22 underperforming stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill.

Gap Inc. closing 85 stores

Foot Locker to close 140 stores

Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores. The 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

Levitz - the furniture retailer, announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910.

Zales, Piercing Pagoda plans to close 82 stores by July 31 followed by closing another 23 underperforming stores.

Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores.

Home Depot store closings 15 of them amid a slumping US economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store.

CompUSA (CLOSED).

Macy's - 9 stores closed

Movie Gallery – video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery

and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental

chain closed last fall as part of bankruptcy.

Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores closing

Pep Boys - 33 stores of auto parts supplier closing

Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations to close with 4,000 employees following 5,000 layoffs last year.

J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are all scaling back

Ethan Allen Interiors: plans to close 12 of 300 stores to cut costs.

Wilsons the Leather Experts – closing 158 stores

Bombay Company: to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores.

KB Toys closing 356 stores around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.

Dillard's Inc. will close another six stores this year.

The impact of all these closings has a knock on effect on employment and disposable incomes.

I am no economist, and am a 'glass half full' kind of guy - but sometimes we have to face reality, these are the cards we are dealt let's make them work.

... US soap-operas, sorry Media, hmmmm :rolleyes: ...

in Florida, all I see is fear-mongering, biased reporting and VERY selective information. The dumbing down of reporting and propaganda influences the uneducated in a way that, in my opinion, is comparable to the preaching by radical religious figures throughout the globe that creates 'drones' that believe everything they are told because they do not have the ability or want to question things or think for themselves.

The difficult thing for western economies is that they are facing a shift in how their economies work as part of their 'natural' progression through economic growth... they are entering uncharted territories brought about by globalisation, capitalism, consumer needs and a high rate of technological change in developing countries. There is also increased demand for natural resources, perhaps we are coming upon a time where this demand will cause increased regional tensions and result in nations laying claim to resource rich territories.

Is it time for the US to focus efforts in its own backyard... energy independence, bring back some self-reliance, provide job opportunities, business growth - get back to setting global benchmarks in science, technology and industry.

it's not all doom and gloom - NFL season is coming up and the US Basketball team are on course to win the Olympics - U.S.A, U.S.A, U.S.A

oh yeah, us Scots have had a major part in the development of the western world...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_invention

maybe the economy is our fault!!!
 
Steven Button said:
the current economic climate, its portrayal by media, how it is understood and attitudes towards it are thorns in my side at the moment...

there are no two ways about it - the economy is not good, and it is not OK.... it IS in bad shape. Yes, there are always glimmers of hope and success stories, but it cannot be denied that the US and Western economies are in bad shape.

Below are some retail realities:

Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide.

Eddie Bauer to close more stores after closing 27 stores in the first quarter.

Cache, a women’s retailer is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide

Talbots, J. Jill closing stores. Talbots will close all 78 of its kids and men's stores plus another 22 underperforming stores. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill.

Gap Inc. closing 85 stores

Foot Locker to close 140 stores

Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores. The 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

Levitz - the furniture retailer, announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910.

Zales, Piercing Pagoda plans to close 82 stores by July 31 followed by closing another 23 underperforming stores.

Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores.

Home Depot store closings 15 of them amid a slumping US economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store.

CompUSA (CLOSED).

Macy's - 9 stores closed

Movie Gallery – video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery

and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental

chain closed last fall as part of bankruptcy.

Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores closing

Pep Boys - 33 stores of auto parts supplier closing

Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations to close with 4,000 employees following 5,000 layoffs last year.

J. C. Penney, Lowe's and Office Depot are all scaling back

Ethan Allen Interiors: plans to close 12 of 300 stores to cut costs.

Wilsons the Leather Experts – closing 158 stores

Bombay Company: to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores.

KB Toys closing 356 stores around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.

Dillard's Inc. will close another six stores this year.

The impact of all these closings has a knock on effect on employment and disposable incomes.

I am no economist, and am a 'glass half full' kind of guy - but sometimes we have to face reality, these are the cards we are dealt let's make them work.

... US soap-operas, sorry Media, hmmmm :rolleyes: ...

in Florida, all I see is fear-mongering, biased reporting and VERY selective information. The dumbing down of reporting and propaganda influences the uneducated in a way that, in my opinion, is comparable to the preaching by radical religious figures throughout the globe that creates 'drones' that believe everything they are told because they do not have the ability or want to question things or think for themselves.

The difficult thing for western economies is that they are facing a shift in how their economies work as part of their 'natural' progression through economic growth... they are entering uncharted territories brought about by globalisation, capitalism, consumer needs and a high rate of technological change in developing countries. There is also increased demand for natural resources, perhaps we are coming upon a time where this demand will cause increased regional tensions and result in nations laying claim to resource rich territories.

Is it time for the US to focus efforts in its own backyard... energy independence, bring back some self-reliance, provide job opportunities, business growth - get back to setting global benchmarks in science, technology and industry.

it's not all doom and gloom - NFL season is coming up and the US Basketball team are on course to win the Olympics - U.S.A, U.S.A, U.S.A

oh yeah, us Scots have had a major part in the development of the western world...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_invention

maybe the economy is our fault!!!
Click to expand...


dude that IS DEPRESSSSSSSING
 
... sorry Russ! :eek:

ICSC is saying that it will be 12 - 18 months before a return to something resembling 'normality' in retailing.

A couple of commercial leasing guys I spoke to at ICSC Florida and the general advice being given to Commercial Developers and Managers is to build a strong team to operate their business, from direct employees to vendors.

An opportunity for the established PW'ing vendors to market their experience, cash in the bank, expertise, personnel and ability to offer service to multiple locations within a short period of time!

... still plenty of properties being developed and retailers growing - I want some of that!!!
 
Scott D. said:
The rich are geting richer, because they knew how to get rich to begin with. You could take all of a rich persons money and give it to a poor person, and in a matter of months/years, the poor guy would be poor and the rich guy would be rich again. I dont have sympathy for the people being forclosed on. They bought too much house, plain and simple.
Click to expand...

This is exactly how I feel about it. I have made more money with all of these foreclosures than ever before.
 
by no means is it good, not by my standards and not in line with business plan... however, it is not bad... I've made some ground with many of my leads and have a couple of good residential PM's and a realtor that pass me some work and a couple of good leads. I think my marketing plan is about to bear some fruit, I do feel that something good is around the corner.

A couple of opportunities have arisen recently that are not directly related to pressure washing - I may pursue these, but don't want to detract from what I am trying to achieve with my current approach.

If I had the capital, there are a lot things that I'd like to do that I'm positive would yield some good things - but, I'm working with what I've got.

My pool service business is stable, but I am noticing that customers are getting slow in paying.

My plan was never a short-term one... setting up the business side to allow smooth growth and transition when CleanFast USA expands!!!
 
The Store Closing is not a bad thing. They should have closed some of the loosers years ago.

Starbucks is closing stores, how many new are they opening.

JC penny is opening a new one in Pratville AL. (I'm sure many throughout the states)

Closingof stores is showing share holders that they are serious about running for profit.

Yes, some are closing because they suck.

All in all closing is showing me responsible CEO's....

Lets run a little leaner and meaner.

Guys, I didnt make this thread to make all here depressed.

I started it to show you "find the money"

DJ coined that Phrase the other nite.

Fastfood is up, pet stores are up, costco and walmart are reporting record sales.

I was simply telling you guys to look for who is making money.

Our sales are up, we are expecting a pretty good next 1/4... from last oct till now we are up from previous years.
 
Scrappy said:
When your watching the news always ask these four questions.

1. What is it
2. What should it be
3. What caused it
4. What can be done to fix it


Just because sally the news anchor is yelling "OMG THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 4.8%"

SAY okay sally, now what should it be? Chances are she isn't going to know because she has a degree in journalism not economics. She reads a teleprompter not the data released on the GDP. The national avg unemployment rate will always be around 4-5% for these simple reasons; there are
-people looking for work
-people that can't find work (for what ever reason)
-people that don't want to work!

Also another thing i have against the news is that the economy has to be looked at in a whole . . . you can't just pick on gas, housing, and unemployment.

what about fast food, small business, industry, and other things of the such

I feel that if the economy was realy as in bad shape as the news projects it to be then the government would be stepping in and not just standing around thinking about how to fix it.

I do agree with Ron, we mustn't stand around trying to figure out how to bring GM and Ford back. We must focus on the future and how we can improve our country as a whole.

I for one believe that we MUST increase our exports. The US is just like a business where the main goal is NET profit. You aren't supposed to spend more than you sale. This has been a trend of the us for a very very long time. And this goes strictly against the basic principles of business.

I just think ever one needs to take a step back and a deep breath and collect their thoughts. The world is not going to end, the sky isn't going to fall, and the sun will be up in the morning i promise. I for one am doing just fine with business. Hope every one else has had the same!!!
Click to expand...


Where have you been dude:confused: . The Gov has stepped in several times and its just a band aid. What about the Stimulus Checks everyone got that was the Gov stepping in and it just added to our debt, big time. Debt is what has gotten this country in a bad economic time and our Gov is doing the same thing as we are saying STUPID consumers are doing. The Gov has spent Billion on bailing out or shoring up banks, investment companies, mortgage industry etc etc etc ALL mostly on debt that you and the millions of Americans will have to pay off for years. Everyone complains about stupid people and their debt, what we need to complain about is our Gov letting big Corps target the poor & stupid people with predatory lending etc etc. There will always be stupid people, theres many on these BB's and everywhere you look. The Gov lifted many regulations and the big Corps had a field day using the stupid people tro pad the rich peoples pockets. I dont fault rich people at all, they are just making money, its the companies & Gov that are ripping us off in many cases

Are we in the worst economic times ever? NO but between consumers & the gov there is so much debt its slowing a lot of things

Unemployment 4.8% that doesn't count for the millions that aren't even counted anymore, they only count those that are collecting unemployment not all that dont have jobs, it doesn't take into account that many millions and millions of people are now working for less & less money than their previous jobs. The economy is a big numbers game that can easily be tilted in any direction they want to slant the number. The GDP has to be bad for what 3 quarters, do you know they and things to the GDP to make it look good. Theres things in the GDOP reports that actually mean nothing to the GDP, but they put them in there to make it look good. Dems & Republican have been doing it for years

Just look around, home sales are way down, foreclosures are way up, gas, food everything cost more, people are in debt big time, there's children in our country with little food, there are big Corps that have record profits on the backs of stupid people, we are bailing out companies left & right, there are more jobs going overseas every day, industries that have just disappeared from our country, that doesn't really speak for a wonderful strong country no matter what the stupid news lady says

Is it the end of the world no, but if not fixed in time it could be the end of the American dream and we might be spending Euros instead of green backs

I love America, I want her strong
 
PRICES HAVE TO INCREASE OVER TIME!!!! Every one says ohhhh goooddd ggaass and eeggss and fffrruuiiitt its going up . . . its called inflation and since 1920 something the average rate has been and as economist predict it should be is 3% . . .

Jeff i don't believe the government is stepping in stepping in because as a business owner i took a loss last year which means i received no check. I dunno about other businesses but i claimed a loss because i was SPENDING MONEY. the actual driving force of the economy! so why didn't i get a check? I believe the check thing was more of a publicity stunt honestly. Although i can see where they could get by not worrying about businesses seeing that 2/3 of the spending in the US is consumer based.


As far as the news lady is concerned i just wanted to inform people to make YOU OWN educated stand on each topic. Don't just take the news peoples word and run with it.


Ron you are right the phrase "Go Find the Money" could never be more true right now. I won't lie things are tight all over BUT the money is still out there! You may just have to do more poking around before you find it. For me it means driving 20 west through 2 counties to a recession proof area. I feel that the people who understand this will make it through this SLOW DOWN those who don't well i just hope to see you all next year as well but can't promise anything.

Have a Great Day Fellas
 
I am to busy to worry about the economy..so what if gas is still to high, taxes suck, and our presidential choices are a joke.. I just keep working.. In america if you want to be free you have to work your ass off for it. So if I close down one day I am going to blame myself... I do not see it happening .. Hey My preacher said the other day in our world people say if all else fails pray... He said thats the problem ... He said we should pray before all else fails... I may not be a millionaire , but my bills always get paid..
Always remember do whats right and you want get left....

Mississippi is hurting a little but I still get up every morning and hit the road. On a good day I can average around 200.00 in fire inspections and about 300 to 500 a night cleaning hoods.. So far I have only lost 13 or so accounts due to them closing..
Hey when I statred this business no one said it was going to be easy...
The main problem in America is that we forget to follow our moto ( In God We Trust ) if we did this things would probably be alot better..
 
JohnB said:
So if I close down one day I am going to blame myself...
Click to expand...

Imagine that, taking responsibility for yourself and not blaming it on the government or big corporations. Its a shame more people dont do that.
 
I'm surprized at the answers, its nice to see PW see things.

I agree with bits and pieces of all comments, of course we all differ in opionions because we dont have the same demographics.

I love this country but some things are out fo control and we must as voters get some parts changed.

The jobs are gone, they are not coming back in the manufacturing. We can dream about it but we cannot not compete with the world.

When we made products better and they made junk people wanted US products around the world.

motorola, a lcoal semicondctor manufacture started building in china in the 80's.

I remember the products they build in china stunk. Now they are educated and well equiped. The products that roll out of china are solid and well built for pennys on the dollar.
 
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