The good things that I hope will happen because of economic crisis

I am hoping that more people will save electricity and open an window or windows during the day. They will unplug appliances, and start reading more then watching t.v. If they really like the show they'll get it on d.v.d. and not worry about getting fancy satellite (We have satellite but we don't pay for it, that is, my fiance and I don't.) , stop going out so much when staying in is just as fun, if not better. Not go on so many different vacations, save money and have family meet in a central location, so it's a HUGE family vacation. Things like that would be better instead of going so many different places. I like that idea of yours where less people go on holiday's where they fly so much, or travel in anyway really. Oh and another thing is to recycle! Save paper, don't throw the whole piece of paper away if you only wrote on part of it!

I love your positive outlook, katsalot1! So often it is too easy to stare down the barrel of this monsterious economy and become woeful of what our next move in life will be. I feel tremendious sympathy for all of those who come into their own and reach adulthood during this time because they will be starting the biggest decisions of their lives during great turmoil... but that can be a good thing too! I look back into our nations history and see what strong resiliant people the Great Depression kicked into the world and I do feel hopeful that perhaps this portion of economic downturn may also do the same. But, we have to have positive people, such as yourself, for such a beautiful thing to happen. It is my hope that this 'crisis' will remind people of the value of family. I know a lot of people don't look at it that way, many are becoming more wary of having children in times of uncertainity. But, I would love people to come to a certain understanding that some of the things in life that we have always come to see as a necessity in raising a family may in fact not be so necessary. For example... do we need a huge gas chugging minivan to cart our children around in? Do we need to send our children to the finest schools to get the best education (it is my opinion that the best education is in the involvment of the parents, weather they go to a public school or not... parents need to be involved!) Do, we need to use expensive disposable diapers? Do we need to feed with formula... what does it take to raise truly good children. I hope to raise children that aren't so fasinated with all the toys and gadgets that society would have them believe is needful for them to be happy. I hope to raise children that are happies doing the simpler things in life. On thing that all of this econimic uncertainty have provided me with, is a different view of what makes me successful. I used to think that a real home with a real basement and a nice newer model car and some fancy job to head off to work to in the spiffiest clothes is what made a successful person. But, I have found that with the purchase of a mobile home (cash down, I owe nothing) and a sturdy car that my parents gifted me with has made my life feel more secure. Now, I'm looking at the possibility of going into business for myself out of my home so that I don't really have to worry about most of the things that most small business owners would have to worry about during these times. My whole outlook has really changed. I'm looking into using the fireplace that came with my home as alternitive heat (never chop down a living tree though, that's wrong!) and starting a small garden in the spring to offset my grocery bills. I think will a little know how and a lot of hard work (something todays generation gets a little confused about what real work is. Haha) We can pull through. I'm also trying to think of community as more of a network. And I will be looking into bartering for things I need with people I know. I may sound a little oldfashioned here, but I'm begining to think that a little oldfashioned common sense could be the answer to many of our problems. Thank you for posting such a thoughful discussion and helping us to stop and think about the bright side of life here!

I've already seen some trends toward the things I've been really hoping for: people are returning to the country to farm again. Farming, especially small...organic operations have been increasing since last summer. Victory gardening's big again. An actual AGRICULTURE boom...which I'm not sure if ANY country in the "developed" part of the world has had for at least a decade! A boom instead of a decline! I was really hoping this would be the case, because...it means more local food, more cheap food, and more food that's good for people. It also is a good means for people to make money, when there's not as many good ways left nowadays. Plus, barter, which is something I sincerely adore...appears to be making a comeback and is slowly gaining in popularity. Barter's so much more...worry-free, than the issue of spending money or not spending it tends to be. It's freeing, to trade a book for another book, or something else you want...and not being stuck with just having no money and no options. These things will help people, I think. I'd really really hoped for them too...and I'm glad to see a trend in their direction.

I am in a constant crisis and I cannot remember when I did not have financial crisis. This has been going on for many years now. I know what crisis is but I am still alive. They will have to kill me first before I give up or complain. Cheers!!

It is a good thing to think positive about it. But living it is not easy. I have days with no food in the refrigerator. And I am eating irregular. That does not help me lose weight. Instead I am eating less and gaining more. I have health problems because my bills have gotten so high, I can hardly keep up. My back is so worn out, I can not work anymore. My stress level is very explosive. And normally I am a very calm person. But, seeing children with nothing to look forward too, breaks my heart. I wish I could see it more positive like you. But reality is not as easy as you think. Take care.

well i really hope aswell for the enviroment sake that these things happen, The only people who will look at saving money on cars is the ones that already have low emmissions cars or the elderly, the people with performance cars wont change their habits. Or family cars I have 3 kids and moving to a low emmission car with enough room to fit the kids in isnt practical. And I suspect thats the same for alot of families. Also the older cars are alot more poluting than the new cars they need to get rid of all the old cars and replace them with newer efficent models. But this wont happen as if they cant afford a new car they will have to stick to their older less efficent engines, or use the train or bus and these are a nightmare to get 20 miles from where I live across the city in the most direct route takes me an hour on the bus :o( where in the car I can do it in half the time. Also solar and wind power an alternative to using up the earths supplies whose going to invest 4k ish uk pounds in solar power etc etc. Maybe when people get back to work this shock to the system might then encourage people to be greener but I doubt people will be greener during the downturn. I really hope the economic downturn has a positive effect tho only thing I can realistically see happenning is people defaulting on mortages loosing their houses and jobs and having more families on the street or kids going without the essentials. I really hope I am wrong but thats what I honestly see happenning in the part of the uk I live in. But thats all do what we can and I defo agree on air-travel you dont need a holiday this year do your bit and stay at home.

Same thing as you were thinking that because of economic crisis that most people are suffering right now, there would also have a good results will come like what you've said people will start being practical of not keep on buying clothes, buying new things particularly the gadgets/technology, and instead of riding in their own vehicles/cars, they will just ride jeepneys, taxi, FX, bus, MRT/LRT or just walk if its just near to save petrol. However, all of my hopes were not met because if we were still suffering from this economic crisis still many people were keep on buying new items and instead of buying healthy foods they just buy preservative foods since its easy to cook (save gas) and more cheaper.. It seems that nobody had experiencing economic crisis or they don't learned anythings from these experiences.

i know it has already did alot for me. i usually plant a small garden and i live in the country.but becaude of the food prices i will plant a larger garden with even more stuff and maybe try to sale some of it for lower prices then the stores to give some other people a break.i use to fill my childrens bowls full of cereal that they would never eat. now i fill them with a small amount and if they want more i refill it.i make sure i have a full load of clothes in stead a small one before i wash clothes now.i am amazed at how much i was wasting before.

I'm hoping that we're going to see a lot of innovation. There is a saying that necessity is the mother of invention. Obviously a lot of cool things have been invented during times of plenty, but I'm wondering what kinds of invention, renovation etc are going to come out of this. New businesses, the way we do business, green ideas etc. It will be interesting to find out.

Economic crunch is really bad and is the reality of every company closing down. It must be wise to keep the job and not ask for a raise since this is the time of saving much. For us we do keep our mindset straight in a positive mental attitude. I know it is difficult to some when you feel down and if the company you are working with closed down. Saving electricity, buying things only to which is necessary and living your life to a limit of not wanting the pleasures in life would be ok to do. Sometimes i do tend to buy things i just happen to like but did not really wanted or needed. So i said i better change it because we have to save more in times of crisis like this.

That's a great way to look at the economic crisis. Hopefully more people will go back to basics. I grew up in the country so it was always basics. We had our own garden. My dad even raised steers for meat. It probably will go back to this because there aren't many jobs that are stable and people no longer believe the future is endless.

For one, I hope some people will realize that their lives could change at any moment through no control of their own. I hope for people to become humbled by seeing that we are basically all the same. Take away your new car, big home and we still have the same basic needs - to be loved, to love and to survive. You can live a good life without having a lot of material things. You need to appreciate what really counts in life. what kind of person you are and what you do for your fellow man.

I do appreciate Kat's thoughts!I gotta make a confession here I've done none of things you hope... I am a shopping animal,and always get something home when I doing shopping,most of them are clothes!You know there is already no more space of my wardrobe available for my clothes...Moreover,my working place is far from where I live,and I am just so hard to get out from the bed every morning and I am so slow,so late always that at least 1/3 of the weekdays I have to take taxi to office."Early sleep early up"doesn't work on me at all... Yes,I didn't have some changes in life spending in this economic crisis,of course I do realize and think we have to,like what Kat mentioned.Sometimes I am really a bit on budget.I hope I can make it bit by bit:less buying wearings,less taking taxi,less thinking of getting new stuffs if they are still ok usable...Well,it's LESS NOT NONE,or it might deviate from routine jobs and loss the joy of life. I believe there are some people are in the same situation,and some must have already made some changes to break away from the hard time that might be with them.I also would like to share what changes you have already made or gonna make to your life...

oh, i think it's good chance for us to enjoy our life.maybe you're decreased salary or even lost job caused of economic crisis.please turn your mind, don't depression. you'll find there is fulling of happiness not is brought via money, and you have more time to stay with your family,friends,lover.life, just a progress for feeling happiness.

Its really good but rich peoples are not effected.Only poor middle class peoples with salaries up to 7,000 to 12,000 rupees will get effected In india due to crisis many educated peoples are killing them selfs due to lost of jobs You are wrong...Buddy its not good its bad many indian and other developing countries peoples are killing and dying due to starvation Please help any person around your location

Folks will start to realized that not everything in this world is a pleasant ride. Some bumpy roads ahead, so better be prepared and ready all the time. People should learn to save money for emergencies and not waste it on some unwanted things and extravagance.

I hope that people reach deep inside themselves and find their talents and use them to find ways to earn money for themselves. This is one way that some new businesses start up, and Iwould like to see it happen. I also agree that it would be great for people to appreciate what they do have more, and also for those who have it to reach out more to those who really need help. I know that being broke and not having food in the house are very difficult things to del with, I have been there myself. It can be oversome, but, sometimes, we have to go back to the basics for survival.

I hope in this cold economic winter, people will learn one thing that is Act as one then all these problem will be solved. I also hope people in different country have more commuication and overcome these economic problem as soon as possible. God bless everyone!

oh,i must say the economic crisis do let me suffer a lot,my company had a lot of employees retrenched last year though our salaries are not good.so now i have to appreciate my job and work hard to keep it.