bdickens
Member
Just think of it this way: stocks (financial, not rifle) are on sale!
How have/haven't you changed your behavior in response to the economic downturn
- Thread starter Cato the Younger
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I am in a simplification phase. If don't use it, I will either sell it or give it away. I have found that just the upkeep of all of my toys is keeping me from fully enjoying the ones that I use regularly. The turning point was when I was looking for a holster for a gun that I don't shoot and I don't really even like. My first thought was "well since I have the gun, it should at least have a holster". My next thought was "wait a minute, I'll never carry it because I don't like it- so why am I going to spend money on it?!?".
Followed by "what else do I have that I don't really want?" Now I am cleaning out my garage and losing some of the excess from my gun room.
Why do I keep 30/30 ammo, when I don't have a 30/30 rifle?
Followed by "what else do I have that I don't really want?" Now I am cleaning out my garage and losing some of the excess from my gun room. Why do I keep 30/30 ammo, when I don't have a 30/30 rifle?
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Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
We spent our training budget this year on a new Fila puppy instead of additional firearms training.
In adding a deck with a ramp (just in case an elderly family member moves in with us) to the house this summer, we decided to put substantial gates at the top of the ramp and the steps. The gates can be padlocked shut if desired, the railing around the deck is 4' tall and the gates are 4' also.
In order to have a place inside the house where we can put the dogs in case someone has to come in to help with in-home health care (in case said family member moves in with us), I put up a steel security screen door at the end of the formerly open hallway. It's admittedly a bit odd to have this sort of door inside rather than outside, but it's necessary to give us a place to put the dogs inside in case someone they don't know comes in (Filas hate strangers). And it's one more solid barrier between our bedroom and the rest of the house at night.
I've talked to our neighbor about putting a substantial gate across the private road (on his land) that goes past our house and dead ends at his house. It's the only way in and out to both our houses for automobile traffic. We'll be working on that soon. There's a deep drainage ditch at the place we will be installing the gate, we'll be putting it just behind the culvert where the road crosses over the ditch. That will keep anyone from driving around the gate.
I've already talked here about the motion detectors I put in for us. I put in a similar system for our neighbor too, which receives signals from the same sensors on the private road that one of our receivers is set for. That lets us know about vehicle or foot traffic on the road (as well as the occasional deer 8^). I put a separate system inside the fence for us as well. http://www.buy.com/retail/usersearchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=rwa300r&qxt=home&display=col for the receiver with one sensor, http://www.buy.com/retail/usersearchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=pir-2&qxt=home&display=col for additional sensors (each receiver can handle up to four sensors).
lpl
In adding a deck with a ramp (just in case an elderly family member moves in with us) to the house this summer, we decided to put substantial gates at the top of the ramp and the steps. The gates can be padlocked shut if desired, the railing around the deck is 4' tall and the gates are 4' also.
In order to have a place inside the house where we can put the dogs in case someone has to come in to help with in-home health care (in case said family member moves in with us), I put up a steel security screen door at the end of the formerly open hallway. It's admittedly a bit odd to have this sort of door inside rather than outside, but it's necessary to give us a place to put the dogs inside in case someone they don't know comes in (Filas hate strangers). And it's one more solid barrier between our bedroom and the rest of the house at night.
I've talked to our neighbor about putting a substantial gate across the private road (on his land) that goes past our house and dead ends at his house. It's the only way in and out to both our houses for automobile traffic. We'll be working on that soon. There's a deep drainage ditch at the place we will be installing the gate, we'll be putting it just behind the culvert where the road crosses over the ditch. That will keep anyone from driving around the gate.
I've already talked here about the motion detectors I put in for us. I put in a similar system for our neighbor too, which receives signals from the same sensors on the private road that one of our receivers is set for. That lets us know about vehicle or foot traffic on the road (as well as the occasional deer 8^). I put a separate system inside the fence for us as well. http://www.buy.com/retail/usersearchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=rwa300r&qxt=home&display=col for the receiver with one sensor, http://www.buy.com/retail/usersearchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=pir-2&qxt=home&display=col for additional sensors (each receiver can handle up to four sensors).
lpl
I am locking things up a little tighter and taking the extra time to secure things better (added locking gas caps to the vehicles as well), as break-ins and petty theft are on the rise.
Since my current employment will be in doubt after the first of the year, I am holding on to some more cash (I had planned to buy both an AR15 & an AR10 this fall), hoping that I will be able to get into a new job situation before the current one craps out. The gun money is being held onto as an emergency reserve.
Since my current employment will be in doubt after the first of the year, I am holding on to some more cash (I had planned to buy both an AR15 & an AR10 this fall), hoping that I will be able to get into a new job situation before the current one craps out. The gun money is being held onto as an emergency reserve.
Treo
member
I've heard a couple of people mention keeping cash on hand and I'm not sure I trust the dollar that much. Now might be a time for gold or maybe barterables such as tobacco ( I've seen a pack of Newports go for 32.00$ on an FTX in germany)
ZeSpectre
Member
Oh if the ATM's shut down for a few days or something similar you'll see how much the dollar is worth for at least a little while.
B.D. Turner
Member
I don't do gunshows anymore unless I am looking for something I cannot buy from an individual without any paperwork.
BADUNAME37
Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2008
- Messages
- 4,434
Driving a lot less. When my wife or I need to go the most miles, we swap vehicles so the car goes the furthest, since it gets better mileage than my truck.
I haven't stocked up on too much reloading stuff, but with all I'm reading here, I may end up getting a brick or two of primers. I'm pretty well set on powder and brass. I could use some more bullets.
Trying not to spend money on anything unless necessary. Try to keep all bills paid. Change my own oil and lube both vehicles myself.
I haven't stocked up on too much reloading stuff, but with all I'm reading here, I may end up getting a brick or two of primers. I'm pretty well set on powder and brass. I could use some more bullets.
Trying not to spend money on anything unless necessary. Try to keep all bills paid. Change my own oil and lube both vehicles myself.
mljdeckard
Member
Haven't. At all. My diesel VW gets 52 mpg. My four-oh-wunk is in the low risk spectrum, I expect to see a slight dip in the gain. I'm shooting ammo I bought a long time ago, and I have enough to last through next spring.
If anything, the only thing I'm watching for is a higher number and desperation level of criminals. Wildlife conservation officers say they always see a rise in poaching when there's a recession, if I observe it, I'll report it.
If anything, the only thing I'm watching for is a higher number and desperation level of criminals. Wildlife conservation officers say they always see a rise in poaching when there's a recession, if I observe it, I'll report it.
ZeSpectre
Member
I always have to laugh at statements like that.
Loosedhorse
member
Hard times coming. Rising unemployment.
I'd expect a surge in property crimes--maybe violent crime, too: how does that affect you strategy and tactics?
Keep your eyes open.
I'd expect a surge in property crimes--maybe violent crime, too: how does that affect you strategy and tactics?
Keep your eyes open.
sacp81170a
Member
Big series of problems in the near term. I listened to my sources and got my 401k out of stocks and into cash a couple weeks ago. I haven't made a ton of money on it, but I'm making money, not losing. One of my employees stayed in the stock market and he's really taking a bath now, down several thousand dollars.
I'm buying more ammo and stocking up on food. Gun and accessory purchases are on hold in favor of holding a couple months' worth of cash on hand. Wouldn't want to wake up one day short of cash and find out that the ATM's ain't working because banks didn't pay each other back the money they "borrow" every night from your account(s) to invest in short term loans to other banks. If you knew anything about what happens to "your" money while it's in the bank, you'd be freaking out right now.
I'm buying more ammo and stocking up on food. Gun and accessory purchases are on hold in favor of holding a couple months' worth of cash on hand. Wouldn't want to wake up one day short of cash and find out that the ATM's ain't working because banks didn't pay each other back the money they "borrow" every night from your account(s) to invest in short term loans to other banks. If you knew anything about what happens to "your" money while it's in the bank, you'd be freaking out right now.
wyocarp
Member
I haven't noticed an economic problem, other than hearing about it on the news.
The only thing I've changed is the frequency that I scan for new opportunities that might be offered at fire-sale prices. Buffet is out on a buying spree, another local investor just got a loan for $115 million dollars to buy distressed properties. There are a lot of smart, experienced people who are betting millions and billiions that things are going to be just fine in the future.
Other than that I haven't changed a thing, but then again I've been ready for nearly anything (except
red headed stranger
Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2006
- Messages
- 36
I have made almost no changes. My wife and I worked hard to get out of debt and have readily available money. We have chosen near recession/depression proof jobs. We are not afraid to relocate ad be flexible. The writing has been on the wall for a while for this financial crisis and we planned accordingly.
I have culled though some of our non-essentials and sold them off on ebay and such, but I was planning on doing that anyway. Perhaps I was a little more urgent about doing it because panics make people less likely to buy.
It may get really bad, but things will recover. My wife and I have set ourselves up to weather the storm and take advantage of opportunities that those in debt cannot.
I have culled though some of our non-essentials and sold them off on ebay and such, but I was planning on doing that anyway. Perhaps I was a little more urgent about doing it because panics make people less likely to buy.
It may get really bad, but things will recover. My wife and I have set ourselves up to weather the storm and take advantage of opportunities that those in debt cannot.
Cannonball888
Member
I'm not religious therefore I'm bitterly clinging to my guns twice as hard.
Buying twice as many too.
I haven't changed much, other than increasing situational awareness. Theft at the college, where I instruct, has become so out-of-control that the administration finally installed security cameras. Still no firearms allowed. :banghead:
I had a meeting with one of the graduate students yesterday to sign her IRB forms. Her husband is a Detroit LEO (about 20 years). She told me that home invasion is increasing wildly. Their house had been broken into while they were at work. Of course, no neighbors saw anything.
The latest trend in Detroit is gang-member initiation: shooting a lone woman driving in her car while stopped at a red light. These attacks have been, of course, are completely unprovoked.
Her parting discussion topic was eye-opening. She stated that her husband, and many of the other Detroit LEOs, "...believe that there will be a major violent incident this year in DPS, a la Columbine." Tensions are extremely high in Detroit, and the current economic state isn't helping.
In closing, the only change that I have made is to carry my G34 and G26 rather than my G17 and G26. The rationale for the 34 as primary? Simple, it's 3 times more accurate and equally reliable.
I had a meeting with one of the graduate students yesterday to sign her IRB forms. Her husband is a Detroit LEO (about 20 years). She told me that home invasion is increasing wildly. Their house had been broken into while they were at work. Of course, no neighbors saw anything.
The latest trend in Detroit is gang-member initiation: shooting a lone woman driving in her car while stopped at a red light. These attacks have been, of course, are completely unprovoked.
Her parting discussion topic was eye-opening. She stated that her husband, and many of the other Detroit LEOs, "...believe that there will be a major violent incident this year in DPS, a la Columbine." Tensions are extremely high in Detroit, and the current economic state isn't helping.
In closing, the only change that I have made is to carry my G34 and G26 rather than my G17 and G26. The rationale for the 34 as primary? Simple, it's 3 times more accurate and equally reliable.
RX-178
Member
Filed a few patents. Made a few contacts. Looking forward to the SHOT show.
The possible 'end' of the war in Iraq could be bad for me, but I think everything will turn out okay. Chances are if we're pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan (I imagine Afghanistan will continue, Obama or no), we'll have to go back in another 5 years tops.
And both places are going to be supplied and trained by contractors for the next 20 years, whether the US military is involved or not. I think my designs are still quite marketable, even in the current economic troubles.
The possible 'end' of the war in Iraq could be bad for me, but I think everything will turn out okay. Chances are if we're pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan (I imagine Afghanistan will continue, Obama or no), we'll have to go back in another 5 years tops.
And both places are going to be supplied and trained by contractors for the next 20 years, whether the US military is involved or not. I think my designs are still quite marketable, even in the current economic troubles.
Rossshady120
member
before i moved into my mom's aka retirement area there was 2 cars stolen the 1st one being her Honda s2k. after that they had a camera put in my bedroom window to look out at the parking lot and a few weeks later another car got stolen not ours though. the camera has bin taken out because i didn't like the sun coming in or the old people seeing me. since i have moved in there has been no cars stolen or maybe because they got smart, i pull up everynite on the latenite tip most of the time you can see my radio in-dash thats worth alot and my GPS/Radar and hear my two sony 12" xplode subs and see my JBL amp in the back seat. back when i lived in NY on long island i would take all of that stuff down and put it in my glove box etc. but i don't seem to have that problem and my alarm would go off if someone broke in so i would bin there in no time. i would imagine that these people stealing cars do there recon work maybe they saw me and figured out that it wasn't just old people who couldn't hear there cars getting stolen living there, maybe they saw me coming home from the range with my cases. i'll never know and i wanna keep it that way
I got at least 100 rounds for every gun that I own even if they are a duplicate caliber. Got a shorter barrell for the mossy and some buck shot. Also got a second job since the wife is worried about the economy and said I shouldn't be spending the money we have on guns, ammo and hunting. I showed her huh?
Rossshady120
member
you live in texas that doesn't surpise me that you have 100 rounds for everygun that you own. and you don't have to go through the **** i go through at wal-mart and the gun store for trying to buy 9mm's for my kel-tec rifle that they sold me and now it looks even worst because i bought a 9mm handgun from them. get raped at the gun store 16.95 for a box of 50 FMJ's or go to wal-mart with one of my buddys and get 100 for 21.41 or 50 JHP for 21.41 nothing beats the .22 but i might as well be shooting a airsoft gun. they need to come out with a bio-diesel round or something or soon im getting a speargun
We've had some recent day-time break-ins in the neighborhood. Due to this and the general economic breakdown, in the past year:
1. I started our Community Watch program. Worked with neighbors to assemble a phone/contact list for residents of the community. Started a private community website for information sharing. Increased our general situational awareness and those of our neighbors. Additionally, GOT TO KNOW THE NEIGHBORS through the program.
2. Joined CERT.
3. Increased home security with upgrades to my alarm system.
4. Motion sensors on the driveway with an indoor chime.
5. "FakeTV" in a front-facing unused bedroom to make it appear as if someone is watching TV all night. This is an awesome product, which I will be giving to family members for Christmas this year. Check it out!
6. Purchased additional ammunition.
7. More cash on-hand.
8. Helped my wife prioritize and schedule trips (shopping, etc) so that they are less frequent and more productive and use less gas.
1. I started our Community Watch program. Worked with neighbors to assemble a phone/contact list for residents of the community. Started a private community website for information sharing. Increased our general situational awareness and those of our neighbors. Additionally, GOT TO KNOW THE NEIGHBORS through the program.
2. Joined CERT.
3. Increased home security with upgrades to my alarm system.
4. Motion sensors on the driveway with an indoor chime.
5. "FakeTV" in a front-facing unused bedroom to make it appear as if someone is watching TV all night. This is an awesome product, which I will be giving to family members for Christmas this year. Check it out!
6. Purchased additional ammunition.
7. More cash on-hand.
8. Helped my wife prioritize and schedule trips (shopping, etc) so that they are less frequent and more productive and use less gas.
Rossshady120
member
not going green by having the Fake TV on all the time. its more of i live with old people and i'm not there that much and when i am its broad day light no one there or latenite where crime would strike.
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