How's Business?

[sageadvice]

Another year gone by getting ready for the slow season and was wondering if any out there wanted to comment on how they think they did this year in compared to last. Times are truly tough, more so than i can remember, and a bunch of guys, in this area anyway, lost a ton of what they worked many years to get.

Myself, seems that i did ok. I never really know exactly how good or bad i did until my CPA gets through with my records but i had cash flow all year and was able to keep the bills paid up. Seems i'm doing way more small jobs, $70.- $300., up to maybe a $1000. There is little if any New Construction in this area at all so i welcome and am glad i built my little business to pay particular attention to service work.

The main thing that's helped is, the last couple years, no more of me going to the well for low interest fixed balance transfers, and the like. I've actually been able to pay those balances way down but there is plenty still to pay and it hurts to get a bunch of moneys in thru hard work only to have to send it back out to pay debt. We'll see, winter is just starting and not much work on the books... but the lord willing, i think i'll get by.

Feel free to lets us know your thoughts on if things are going to get better, how soon, can you hang on, or whatever!!

Joey

 

[B_BOP_A_LU_LU]

Well!
I don't see anything changing anytime soon!
The World keeps spinning but I often wonder why & how?
Almost a fist fight now for a job & I'll be ####ed if I'm gonna pay to do a job!
This Obama BS ain't helping matters!
I wonder who the next JACKASS will be?
The Obama economy SUCKS!

God is Great!
Life is Good!
And People are Crazy!

I love not acting my age,
Damn I love my NASCAR race,
And Hell yes I love my Truck!

 

[Gator]

it will suck for 2 more years then it will take 2 more after that to get better.
Hate thinking about it.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

 

[driftersifter]

My small farm did really well this year I had the best crop of corn and soybeans I have ever grown. The coop is full and not accepting my contracted corn to the tune of 15,000 bushels I still have 200 acres of corn to combine.

Mike

 

[littlejoe]

Last year was absolutely terrible. The first six months of this year were better but not great and the last four months have not been to good. I don't see the plastics world or any another changing anytime soon. It is ugly and I think that the winter will be even worse. A lot of good people will go under this winter locally. I think the good days are gone and even when it rebounds there will be good months but not good years. Just my two cents.

 

[woodruffhunter]

My business has went down. Immediately after Jan 1st 2009, the decline started. I just hope and pray the current administration gets voted out.

Having said this, we are surviving. I am just glad to have work! Even with a new president, as Gator said, we are in for a long recovery.

 

[WapitiBob]

Sold my CNC a year ago. Working for a friend now making decent money. "Down 60%" seems to be the new "doing OK". All my Real Estate is worth 2/3 of what I owe on it.

The family and I are healthy, I'm still able to go to tournaments and Elk hunt so things could be a lot worse.

 

[bigfoot llamas]

We are actually up this year. Not sure why but the idea is that with companies going out of business those who are still around are trying to grab a larger market share and putting more of their money into advertising.

I have also noticed an increase in small business start ups. Those who worked for companies and were laid off are now taking the shot at starting their own.

We will be trying to increase our exposure by running some radio ads. Never tried it before but we were able to do trade with them for some vehicle wraps. Well have to see if we do it again.

Thad
meatinthepot

 

[sageadvice]

Thanks for the replies guys!! Just to let you know how bad the real estate market is around here, here's a link to a town only 12 miles away that homes are starting at 25K. These same homes were twice, three times that just 3 years ago.

http://www.idxcentral.com/paor/idxs...x=99999&fl=any&ybmin=0&lo=any&loid=any&la=any

I'm looking to buy because it would be cheaper than the place i'm renting now or than it would be to build a place on my riverfront lot. The problem is being business is down and my CPA does her job in getting so i have to pay so little taxes, even with excellent credit, 720+, i don't qualify even for the cheapest house.

What gets me is i could buy a little place and actually pay less than for the rental i've never been late on in ten years AND i could go Down a pick up a brand New truck if i wanted BUT i don't qualify for a 25-50K home that i'm going to pay off next year anyway... just don't make sense to me!

Joey

 

[cjboz]

Too busy Sage, I dont get to spend much time on MM!! LOL

 

[stinkystomper]

Theres much more work to be had this year in the oil patch. Everything I have is currently out. All but one of my customers are paying 25% more for my services as compared to last year. I forsee things picking up considerably more going into next year.

However there was a feud in the family all over money. Soooooooo, I walked away from 15 tractor trailer rigs and a massive pressure control company. I decided to give them to my family and just keep my workover rigs going for myself and call it good. Now that I'm no longer tied to family life is much better.

I don't have to feel guilty for going on hunting trips. The markets are turning around considerably in oil, and as of now all my rigs are in the air and busy.

I just praise the lord for the blessings he has given me.

 

[mywifeishotterthentiffany]

Our company is having its best year ever. I have kept 3 to 4 crews working construction and sales are up in our Home Center. I have work booked untill the 1st of the year and jobs on the books for next spring. I thank the good Lord for everthing he has provided. pray hard!!!




"Let's keep things in perspective.I mean for Peet's sake there are kids in Africa that don't even hunt....hello" Jimmy Big Time

 

[NMPaul]

Last 6 months of 2008 were the worse for me. Since then it is not back to where it was, but, it is better than 2008. Mostly due to aggressive marketing of the business and creative financing for our customers.
Maybe the good times are gone for good.

 

[muleycrazy]

I have a Marble & Granite Co. here in Las Vegas. We are the worst economy in the nation for housing, unemployment and foreclosures. There is almost no new construction at all. We are yrs away from even seeing normalcy around here. My house is worth half of what I pd. and will never in my lifetime see any equity from it. What I am hearing here is get used to it, cause this is the new economy !!

"Do you like Apples ? Well I got her
number, How do you like those Apples !

 

[eelgrass]

The little sawmill I work at has been cutting 2 million bd.ft. of lumber a week for several years now. If I didn't watch the news, I wouldn't even know about the recession. We keep cutting it and it keeps selling. Why or how, I have no clue. The only time we miss work is when we run out of logs to cut. About 3 weeks so far this year. That's when I went fishing in Alaska.

Eel

 

[slickrock]

Interesting replies. All across the board.

I work for a big company and have done so for many years. Pretty recession proof. My kids all have work thank goodness.

Heartfelt prayers for those that are struggling right now.

Slick

 

[NMPaul]

That has to be a tough business in a tough location. Good luck to you.





***********************************

Margaret Thatcher: "The trouble with Socialism is, sooner or later you run out of other people's money."


"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything he doesn't own." - Unknown

 

[3blade]

I'm going to make a little more this yr than I did last yr. Every yr I make more than the last. But the fricking taxes are killing me!

I feel for you guys that are having a tough time. All you can do is hang in there another 4 yrs.

 

[sageadvice]

Really nice of you guys to respond to my question. Kinda nice to hear that some of you are doing pretty good and others of us are...well, we're struggling.

They say that you have nothing if you don't have timing. Well i worked for a lot of years and busted my butt for a guy that made a lot of money in the construction business. I go out on my own 5 years ago, look what's going on... no timing!

Joey

 

[LESGO54]

well since the kenyon got in office i have lost all my savings, cashed in my 401, my mutual funds and even the cash value on life insurance i have. if it gets any worse for me ill be selling my house. i want to thank everybody that voted for the african american. yall can kma

 

[Hardway]

I do survey work for a heavy hiway const co. Definatley better than last year....About 15%. Our money guy says its due to alot of the smaller companies falling off which results in a higher hit rate on our bids....If you have the capitol and staying power the competition gets smaller everyday. I definatley feel for the guys at those other companies though.....There are alot old timers who have forgot more than I know who are out of work.

Our Almonds did well this year too, we averaged about 2300lbs per acre for 480 acres which is up a little from last year. Still not sure what we'll get paid but since we've had the land for years we dont have much overhead.

Good luck Joey...In this economy if your breakin even your doin something right

"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

 

[B_BOP_A_LU_LU]

Hey RUS?

Read post # 19!

I think somebody is PIZZED!

He's not alone either!

God is Great!
Life is Good!
And People are Crazy!

I love not acting my age,
Damn I love my NASCAR race,
And Hell yes I love my Truck!

 

[jarnold46]

I AM A USED CAR DEALER AND HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 26 YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO RETIRE IN A YEAR BUT THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE REALLY SUCKED. PEOPLE ARE BROKE. I RECENTLY ASKED MY TIRE DEALER IF HE HAD A GOOD USED TIRE FOR A TRADE IN. HIS REPLY...."ARE YOU KIDDING PEOPLE ARE WEARING THEM DOWN TO THE CORDS". I HAVE DONE PRETTY GOOD AND SAVED AND PLANNED FOR RETIREMENT BUT THE LAST FEW YEARS IS OUR BEST CHANCE TO PAD OUR NESTEGG. THE ECONOMY WILL IMPROVE SLOWLY.WHEN NEW CARS AND TRUCKS BEGIN TO SELL WELL THERE WILL BE GOOD USED CARS. FOR THE MOST PART THEY ARE IN EXTREME SHORT SUPPLY. OUR GUN DEER SEASON STARTS NEXT WEEKEND SO IT WILL BE A GOOD CHANCE TO GET AWAY AND ENJOY LIFE.WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER........HOPEFULLY THE RECENT ELECTION WILL BEGIN A CHANGE. THE PERCEPTION THAT THINGS WILL BE BETTER WIL BECOME REALITY AND THINGS WILL BE BETTER...I HOPE

 

[overton]

>well since the kenyon got in
>office i have lost all
>my savings, cashed in my
>401, my mutual funds and
>even the cash value on
>life insurance i have. if
>it gets any worse for
>me ill be selling my
>house. i want to thank
>everybody that voted for the
>african american. yall can kma
>


I'm pretty sure JB voted for him.

 

[Foreman4x4]

Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I work in an industry where a bad economy is good for business. I doubt I'll see another raise before I retire, but there's no shortage of criminals, and I'm glad to be employed.

 

[Anaconda]

The company I work for is doing pretty good, so I'm doing pretty good..
I work with small businesses, and I must say it's scary. Probably 50% of them are teetering on the edge of failure. Sales are down everywhere, and the only way to do good is beat the competition and take his business, so that's what I'm doing.

 

[Chesterwyo]

Oil and gas activity in southwest Wyoming has been in a pretty good upswing since August. Before that things were looking pretty bleak. Now I am as busy as I have ever been with less than half the help I need. Hope things keep going well.