How to Build Your Own Ice Skating Rink

Posted on March 21, 2011 by storage5


This idea stemmed from years of growing up near a creek. There was a run off of water that was only inches deep and made a pretty good size skating area for the neighborhood kids to play without the worry of breaking ice dangers. Although you can now purchase kits to build your own rink, this is not only more cost effective but also gives the opportunity for the family to work together on the project.

We built our rink 24′ by 24′ which proved to be plenty of room to get around, but did not take up the whole yard. You may choose to go larger or smaller depending on your needs. The first step will be purchasing the materials and getting together the tools we will need to put this idea together. My material list will include a trip to the local lumber yard for 8 2x6x12, treated a 36×36 sheet of heavy plastic (you can find reinforced plastic as well), 4 1x1x12′s treated, and 1 ?”aluminum nails. The tools we need include a staple gun with ?” staples, I prefer my Bosch Miter Saw and Bosch Miter Saw Stand, hammer and mallet, and a square, and your garden hose. Again this can be downsized or made larger per your family’s needs.

Make sure the spot you have picked out to build this backyard entertainment center is level and free of rocks with preferably a nice bed of grass. The tools needed are minimal so I set up my Bosch Miter Saw Stand and my Bosch saw and begin cutting my 1×1′s into 12 1′ sections. These 1′ sections are then angled 90 degree on one side on what will be the bottom of our support stakes. After our cuts are made and stakes are finished we simply lay the 12′ 2×6′s down one at a time and nail the stakes on the outside making level with top of 2×6 and placing every two feet, the angled end will be going into the ground so the flat top of stake should be level.

When you’re done with all of the side boards with the attached stakes, you’re now going to need a couple more hands for the next step so gather up some more family members and let’s go. With three of you holding the board you will start on one end of the first board and set in on the ground in your designated location and hammer the stakes into the ground until all stakes are 6″ into the ground and your 2×6 is exposed. You will then repeat the process butting the second board up against the first and putting your square in the corner just to make sure we end up with a square and not a diamond rink, although that would probably be an interesting design. Hammering the stakes into the ground and repeating the last step again on the other 2×6 forming your square. Our next step with be to lay our plastic out over our square with inches also hanging over. With help from the family go around and even up the plastic every side should have 6″ to cover inside 2×6 and 6″ for the outside of the 2×6. Once this is complete you will use your Bosch staple gun to attach the plastic to the 2×6 on the outside only and make sure the staples are sunk and not sticking up for they could cause injury.

Your final step in this process is to get your garden hose out of storage and fill you ice rink with 4 inches of water leaving a 2 inch space to the top of the 2×6. Make sure you put your hose away as to ruin it and then give your project a couple of days to freeze if needed, depending on where you live. When frozen put on the ice skates and have fun.

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Being Prepared For Hurricanes

Posted on March 19, 2011 by storage5


Surviving a hurricane with a Hurricane preparedness plan

Winds over 75 mph, water rushing your home people fleeing the scene as a cylindrical shape off in the distance getting bigger and bigger and bigger… Until it’s on top of you. What is it and what do you do?

Hurricanes are getting to be a common enough household name these days. After the big Hurricane Katrina struck everyone seems to know something about hurricanes, but does everyone know how to survive one? Being prepared for a natural disaster such as a hurricane is always a good thing to keep locked up in your mind in case it ever happens, especially if you live in the Hurricane target zone!

The first step to being prepared in any situation where you are not alone is to talk with your family about it. If you don’t have close family talk with friends about making plans in case a hurricane strikes. Being aware of any plans already in motion is a big leaping point for improvement and/or survival.

If you haven’t already, go back and read on a basic hurricane survival kit you should have prepared at all times. A normal hurricane survival kit would require the following: first aid, canned food, fresh water, radio with extra batteries, flashlight with extra batteries, sleeping bags and protection wear (such as rain coats or galoshes) & a weather radio. If you have a small child or toddler take into consideration of what their needs might be too, such as: baby food, toys, diapers, wipes, and something to drink. On the other end of the age spectrum if you are or have an elderly person with you make sure their needs are meet too, such as packing medications, or keeping a “ready box” in an accessible place you wont forget to grab in an emergency.

These days with natural disasters on the rise places sell ready made kits for certain situations. You can buy a Hurricane Survival pack on the internet if you can’t find one anywhere else or if you are unsure of the extent of things you will need.

Stay together with friends and family, form neighborhood watches and a calling tree to streamline your chance of getting away from a storm as soon as possible. If you know about a hurricane in advance (such as a high alert from the television) you would be able to drive away from where you are but you are never quite sure which way or how far a hurricane can travel so the best thing to do is stay indoors.

Make sure your home is up to snuff for such an event. Reinforcing windows, preening landscaping and being able to immediately tie things down that might fly away. Secure outdoor furniture, keep in mind that anything that looks like it will fly away has the possibility of doing so. When the hurricane is upon you make sure you’re indoors with all doors and windows securely shut and locked. Get in the center most part of your home making sure there are no doors or windows around you. A hallway closet or windowless bathroom are your best bet.

Keep a listen to your battery powered radio for any updates on the hurricane, never go outside to check to see if the coast is clear. Again, initiate a calling tree with your friends, family members and neighbors to get the word that the hurricane has passed to stomp out confusion. Other than being prepared the most important thing you can do during a hurricane is stay calm and keep your survival kit nearby and ready when the time comes.

You can also have a car survival kit so if you hit the road and need the protection while driving away from the hurricane landing point.

Everything will work itself out!

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Conversion Vans Vs Mini Motorhome (Class B RV)

Posted on March 17, 2011 by storage5


Conversion Vans vs. Mini Motorhome (Class B RV)
How many people know the difference between a Conversion Van, Camper Van, or Mini-Motorhome? Knowing the differences can help an individual make “Good Purchase Decisions”. The right Van can be your daily transportation or RV. The differences become important for simple reasons like:How much will it cost me to insure my vehicle?

How do I determine a fair “Blue Book” price to buy or sell? Does my neighborhood association allow me to park my Van at Home? Safety: Is my Vehicle Crash Tested by a Government Agency? Who will service my Van when I need repairs or maintenance?

Conversion Vans are not Motorhomes, but they can offer many of the features of a Motorhome. So let us clear up the differences!

Keep in mind there is room to stretch from one class of vehicle to another; and there is no defacto industry definition; just guidelines. Search the listings at RVTRADER.com and you’ll find many Class C’s mixed into the Class B listings not to mention the Class B’s in the Bus Conversions. You’ll even find ordinary Conversion Vans in the mix. It seems people really don’t know what they have! Confusing isn’t it? We love vans and own several different types and is how we at Conversion-Vans.NET define the Vehicle Classes.

Cargo Van – A Cargo van is a vehicle provided direct from the Manufacture with no rear seats, carpeting, or windows. These vans can be “Up fitted or Converted” to meet the needs of a variety of purposes. Camper Van – This is the simple conversion of a stock cargo van to add features helpful for “camping”. So a Camper Van is any van that has been converted for the purpose of camping – simple enough! Yes and No. There is no such thing as a commercial “Camper Van” – unless you get outside of the USA where the nomenclature changes. Camper Vans are typically “Homemade” modifications. A Class B Motorhome can be Called a Camper Van if you please, but you can not call a Camper Van a Class B Motorhome unless it has some very specific features! (See next) Class B Motorhome (Class B RV) – Any full fledged Motorhome built on a Cargo Van Chassis by a licensed up fitter. The van may have the top removed or the sides widened, but it is still essentially a van in size and shape. Additionally in order to qualify as a Class B Motorhome the van must have built-in sleeping, eating, and bathroom facilities (Including properly mounting fresh and grey water holding tanks). If the frame of the van has been cut down clear to the floor level (they come direct from Ford, Chevy, and Dodge this way – just a frame and a cab) and built up completely from the floor it’s a Class “C” not a Class “B”. Conversion Van (aka Luxury Van, Custom Van) – Any van that has been customized for comfort can be considered a conversion van. These are really luxury vehicles used to transport 6-10 people in comfort. Conversion vans can have some of the features of a “Camper Van” or even a “Class B Motorhome”, but are typically more upscale and designed for daytime use and luxury transportation. These vans may have a raised roof, fancy paintjob, Custom Wheels, Leather Seats, 4 Captains chairs, dual stereo, TV/VCR Combos etc. Mini C’s & B+’s – These are really Class “C” Motorhomes masquerading as Class B Motorhomes. They feature sleek aerodynamic body styles – often made of a single fiberglass shell. The Chinook line of Motorhomes by TrailWagons, Inc. is probably the best example. These are also sometimes referred to as B+ Vans. They are in fact built from the same chassis as a Class C, but are made more to look like a Call B. Confusing? Ultimately it doesn’t matter, as long as you find what you want.

So there you have it! The Van is an incredibly versatile mode of transportation that can be “converted” to suit the needs of a variety of individuals and purposes. Vans offer large storage capacity for hauling cargo to completely self contained luxury travel. So don’t just rush out and get a giant RV until you have considered a Conversion Van or Class B RV.

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How to Make Your Liquor Store Into a Thriving Business

Posted on March 15, 2011 by storage5


In my extensive experience with helping individuals buy all sorts of businesses, I’ve repeatedly noticed something thought provoking about people who are selling liquor stores. Almost all of them are suffering from severe burnout!

If you tour a number of liquor stores that are for sale, you’ll discover what I mean. The places are usually dingy, and there are bottles on the shelves that could have been sitting there for years. The lighting needs updating, the walls need paint, and boxes of old stock are piled up in the storerooms. I have even seen injection-molded plastic signs on the walls for brands of beer that aren’t even available anymore.

Sounds dismal, right? Well, not really, because all those factors can spell opportunity just for you, a smart buyer.

Here are the steps to turn that underperforming liquor store into a money machine!

Step one: Make sure you buy the right store!

First things first… You have to buy a store with untapped demographic potential. It could be an older “mom and pop” liquor store in a neighborhood that has recently been transformed by the arrival of younger, well-to-do professional consumers. It could be in a part of the city where new office complexes are planned. Whatever it is, it has to have growth potential.

Avoid buying a liquor store in an area that’s in decline. Sometimes such stores can be generating positive cash flow by selling half pints of liquor and flask-style bottles of inexpensive wine, but let’s face it; a store in an district which is improving will always provide you with more opportunities for expansion and increased profitability.

Step two: Cater to a more upscale clientele!

If you’re in an region that’s bringing in an increasing number of professional people, begin building an upscale inventory that will appeal to these customers. Don’t wait for people to ask for more exclusive wines, get those products on your shelves in anticipation of popular demand.

Then we get to the issue of customer service. If you want to capture an upscale customer group, you’ll have to be able to answer questions about various wines – which wines are highly rated, or which go best with a particular kind of food.

One way to provide this service is to hire knowledgeable salespeople. Another way is to hire enthusiastic people and train them, or perhaps become a wine expert yourself. Your choice of strategy depends on your budget, your sales and the size of your establishment.

Step three: Make your upscale store look the part – from day one.

If your store needs renovation or freshening up before it can appeal to your new clients, make sure you budget for this – and always reserve a realistic amount of money for fix-ups. Arrive at a reality-based figure for how much everything will cost, and make it part of your calculations as you bargain with the Seller for the most realistic purchase price. Remember, you can’t get the business from any of the upscale clientele by rolling on a fresh coat of paint on dirty old shelves. Look at windows, lighting, floor areas, wall coverings and more. Even your cash registers need to be up-to-date and spotless.

Step four: Expand your product offerings beyond alcoholic beverages.

Over the last decade, upscale liquor stores have begun to offer gourmet cheeses and other food products. It makes sense to expand in this way. If people are looking for a good bottle of wine, or some excellent beer to compliment a good meal, why not offer them cheese, olives, crackers and other elegant appetizers? Remember to check local ordinances and zoning to be sure you can sell foods at your location.

Step five: Hold in-store events to attract more of your target clients.

Hold wine tastings, cooking classes and cheese seminars in your store. If an author has recently published a book on wine or cheese, have a book signing on your premises.

Events do more than sell products. They give your store the feeling of a community – and a destination.

Step six: Build an Internet presence.

Set up a store Webpage where you recommend wine, liquors and beer. On your Webpage, make sure to put a sign-up form where customers can subscribe to a professional email newsletter, in which you distribute detailed information about your products.

Also, in your newsletter, add in coupons for rebates on wines, beer and a variety of other products, and make an effort to be creative with discovering new ways of making it as simple as possible for your customers to recommend new subscribers to you.

Always provide your Website visitors with the ability to order products directly from your site. You can offer local delivery if you have a vehicle, or low cost shipping to a wider area. Be aware, however, that you may be prevented by law from shipping alcoholic beverages to other states, and make sure to check this out before you buy your store, so you can get a realistic idea of the business’s true overall profit potential.

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Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

Posted on March 13, 2011 by storage5


You would never dream of inviting guests to your house without making certain preparations, so don’t invite potential buyers without first making the necessary updates by preparing your home to sell. If you are like most sellers, you want to get as much as possible for your home and you want to do it as quickly as possible.

Letting Go

After you’ve lived in a house, it becomes much more than four walls and a ceiling. It’s a home and it has a lot of good memories. Your first step to preparing your home to sell is to realize that you will take these memories with you wherever you go, but you won’t be taking the house. It can be difficult to let go, but the task will be much easier if you start to think of it as a new beginning rather than an ending.

Cleaning House

An important part of getting your home ready to sell is in staging the decor for potential buyers. When you stage a home, you create an environment that is free of any personal items, such as photos and/or anything that stands out as being customized for you or your family. When a potential buyer walks through your home, they need to envision their belongings and decor without being distracted by yours. While these items may be special to you, they could possibly prevent the buyer from being able to imagine their own style complimenting the home.

In addition to removing any personal items, make sure that you remove any clutter from the home. A clean home seems larger and more inviting, whereas a lot of stuff lying around could give the impression that the home is too small or cramped for storage. Pack up any knickknacks, remove your children’s drawings from the refrigerator and clean up your counter space in both the kitchen and bathrooms.

Staging Your Home

Now that your house is clean, it’s time to put the finishing touches on the staging process. A solid, neutral shade in a tablecloth should be selected for the dining room table. Depending on your decor and wall coloring, a solid white, sand or ivory covering will work well. In the center of the table, a vase with fresh cut flowers (or silk, if you have allergies) will add a nice accent. Did you know that the kitchen and bathroom are two of the main selling points to any home? Keep this in mind when preparing your home for potential buyers.

The living room should have one focal point, whether it be a fireplace or breathtaking view of the outside world. If you have too many features screaming out at potential buyers, they may feel overwhelmed, so focus on one aspect and make it shine. If you have a mantle, line it with three candles that match your decor in color. Place a large candle in the center with one smaller one on each end, which will be reminiscent of a perfectly matched bookend set. A home with a stunning view should have window dressings that accent the positive, instead of hiding it. If your furniture has a design of any kind, mask it with a solid slipcover to compliment the flooring or wall color. Some homeowners also add a fresh coat of paint to their home, which will bring life back into a fading color. Turn on the lights and open the blinds and draperies to create a bright and inviting environment throughout your home.

Where to Store Your Stuff

Now that you know how important it is to remove any clutter and oversized or bulky furniture, you need to know where to put it. If you already have a new home, you can simply move it there. Otherwise, you can put it into storage until you are ready to move. It’s important to leave some essentials in your former home for potential buyers to see, such as a dining room table, a sofa and chairs, bed, etc. Any additional furnishings that seem to interrupt the flow of your home, or make it feel cramped, should be removed. You do not want potential buyers to feel as though the house is too small.

Details, Details, Details . . .

As a final strategy to prepare your home to sell, make sure that you have any carpet stains removed, windows cleaned, fresh linens placed in the bedrooms and bathrooms, etc. You would be surprised how many people pay attention to even the smallest of details, so be sure to fix any small repairs that could be a turnoff for buyers. Last but not least, make sure your home looks just as good on the outside as it does on the inside. This means that your lawn should be cared for, flower beds must be maintained and any outdoor clutter must be removed.

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Garage Flooring Options

Posted on March 11, 2011 by storage5


Garage Flooring Options can seem overpowering. How much will it cost? Can I do it? Which choice will work best for my application? To start this journey, lets see what your choices actually are?

Many moons ago, few were fortunate enough to actually have a garage. The ability to have your cars inside the footprint of your residence deemed you as successful. As time went on, the garage becoming a dumping ground (and still is to some.) Things that weren’t meant for the living areas of the home were stored deep in the confines of the garage.

In this day and age, the garage space serves multiple purposes ranging from work areas, storage and necessary parking spaces. But for the certified car nut, the garage is truly the center of the residence!

Dissecting the areas within the garage space, pics and posters adorn the walls. Many people add additional lights, cabinets and electrical outlets – all functional add-ons. But for those wanting to make this area a topic of discussion, many look to the biggest space this room has to offer – the floor!

Everyone who has a garage has one. A floor. Most often it is one of the more neglected parts of the room, but offers the biggest “WOW” factor when it has been upgraded in some way. For those that decide to do the task themselves – it can seem monumental. This article will explain some of the choices you’ll have when considering garage flooring. No matter which you choose, you’ll have a garage that will be the envy of your neighborhood!

Paint

Painting is one of the simplest ways to beautify the floor. Before choosing the paint, keep in mind that your garage floor is always under assault from things like chemicals, vehicle weight and heat. Pedestrian traffic, abrasions, and moisture also add to attack. The paint you choose must be for this specific job. Standard concrete paint will peel and break down under consistent use. The paint must be resistant to scratching, bond flawlessly to the concrete, as well as making the surface look fantastic. Makers of this specific paint are everywhere. Decide carefully in making the choice, as prepping and painting is a labor intensive operation. Do it once, and do it right.

Carpet and Mats

Choosing carpet or mats as flooring is a less labors option. The only work involved here is sizing the carpet for the floor. In choosing, keep in mind that you’ll need materials that offer resistance to moisture and chemicals. Many garage mats and carpet can be groomed by sweeping, washing or vacuuming. The great thing about using carpet is that it is easier to beautify an older garage floor that may have been cracked or stained over years of use. The other choices will require a level, crack and stain-free concrete flooring surface.

Tile – Plastic Modular or Ceramic

Plastic modular flooring is easier to walk on, resists gas and oil, and is very inexpensive. The notched, plastic units snap together like a puzzle and can be replaced individually if they become damaged. Plastic tiling is available in a wide assortment of colors and can be purchased through many different retailers. No gluing or prepping is necessary. Simply snap together using a rubber mallet.

Ceramic tile is the pinnacle of garage floor protection. Laying the tile is a job best left to a pro, but if you are looking for the ultimate – this is it! Use a commercial grade thickness tile when using this option. Tile that is made for use within the living areas of a home will not stand up to vehicle weights and abrasion. Ceramic tile requires almost no maintenance and is highly resistant to chemicals. Additional items like grout, thinset, spacers and tools will be necessary for the do-it-yourselfer. If you have no cap on the price, this choice will make your garage stand head and shoulders above the rest!

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Your Dream Home

Posted on March 9, 2011 by storage5


Your dream home is what you make it out to be. For example, you do not have to live in a million dollar neighborhood in order to enjoy the atmosphere of where you live. Your home is what you make of it as well as how you define yourself. There are some people who love the look of colonial houses while there are some who prefer a more modern, futuristic look. Some people like the aged look of a historic home or homes that have a ton of greenery growing along the sides of the house while others prefer very simple landscaping that gives off a clean-cut feel. Whatever you want your home to look like, chances are that you can achieve it no matter what sort of a budget you are on. It is simply a matter of being creative.

When I lived in a townhouse with one of my former roommates, I was given permission to take charge of the garden front of the home. I had a blast experimenting with different trees and shrubbery from Home Depot and Lowes hardware stores. At one point, I planted Azalia bushes as well as several rose bushes in the little plot of land in the front of the house; and it actually came out looking really nice. Several of the neighbors would often stop by to look at the different flowers growing.

When it comes to the interior of your home, this is a different story. There are some people who aren’t necessarily content with how the inside of their house looks; but at the same time, they are too afraid to make any changes because they are afraid of all of the work that it would have entailed just to have it turn out looking horrible. This is where it pays to play around with color swatches. For example, if you are thinking of redecorating your living room, Ikea has work stations set up with software that allows you to play around with different aspects of your living space to figure out what would look best where. You can even do this yourself from the comfort of your own home if you are creative enough. Similarly, when my mother was thinking about re-doing our kitchen, she went to a kitchen store and the store sent out one of its representatives for free to take measurements of our kitchen as well as pictures. Then, back at the store, my mom was able to view a 3-D model of our kitchen as well as what it would look like after the renovations were made. Having this visual aide was certainly a great help in determining what needed to happen from that point out. Isn’t technology amazing?

Even if you are on a budget and cannot really afford renovations such as the ones mentioned above, less expensive alternatives include buying a couple of buckets of paint and inviting some friends over to help out. Remember, sometimes the key to discovering your dream home is to work with what you have and let your creativity shine.

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Content Ideas for Ads and Brochures When Selling Your Home

Posted on March 7, 2011 by storage5


Even in this hot real estate market, selling your home requires a bit of marketing effort. Ads and brochures are important and powerful tools. So, what do you put in you’re marketing materials?

Content

To the degree possible include key information in you’re ad or brochure. A classified ad will contain less than a poster, which will contain less than a brochure, which may contain less than an Internet listing, etc. The key, however, is to make sure each medium contains maximum information and minimum fluff.

In general, people want to know what type home is being offered (single family house, townhouse, condo, etc.), how many bedrooms and baths it has, its general location, and the price. Obviously, you also need to include contact information so potential buyers know how to reach you.

If you have the space, a good tactic is to describe the characteristics of the house that lead you to originally purchase it.

1. Was it the location?

2. A beautiful view?

3. Neighborhood charm?

4. A school district you were seeking out?

5. Lots of storage?

6. Garage spaces for 3 cars?

7. High ceilings?

8. The style of architecture?

9. Large entertainment areas?

10. A beautiful garden?

Don’t be shy. Mention the best features to set your home apart from others for sale.

A note of caution is called for here. When you mention your home’s best features, don’t overstate them. If your potential buyer’s first emotion on actually seeing your property is disappointment, there really isn’t much potential for a sale to that person. With that in mind, I wouldn’t refer to a house with a garden that backed to a small farm pond as “waterfront property,” nor would I call a small, city apartment with windows on an air shaft a “spacious city abode with sunny views.”

Photos

Include color photos of your home whenever possible. When selling real estate, a picture really can be worth a thousand words.

When taking your photos, take lots of them. Take them from typical angles and from unusual ones, too. Cameras often like odd angles. Photos that show three walls very often seem to reduce the size of the room visually. It is often better to show only two walls with the corner slightly, or very, off center. You may want to show the same room from more than one angle. One photo may include a wall of windows and another show a fireplace in the same room. Regardless of your approach, keep in mind the photographs will give a potential buyer the first impression of your home.

Obviously, marketing is one of the key factors in selling a home. If you are creative with yours, buyers will come.

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Surviving Economic Collapse

Posted on March 5, 2011 by storage5


As preppers or survivalists we frequently consider preparations as something intended for when the world has finally pushed those lethal buttons and nuclear bombs have departed for many of the world’s largest cities. We center our survival kits upon scenarios intended for total destruction with a hopeful overview of getting started fresh once again. Few people reflect upon their survival supplies with the implication of economic preparations to get us over the economies downside.

As we cautiously peek at the evening newscasts being televised on the TV screen we can take note of all the mayhem being generated by the various European nations as they face fiscal catastrophes entailing drastic infusions of loans to hold them afloat.

Our national debt is essentially positioned no better when we grasp that the federal deficit is currently in the trillion dollar amounts. It may be flatly denied by those in public office but in effect America is bankrupt, we owe more money out then we are currently worth.

Families are having increasingly difficult times preserving their simple physical resources which they require to sustain their day to day lives. Many are on the threshold of losing their homes as well as their future savings. A good many American families are without work and losing their means of livelihood. Fossil fuels, so needed for our transportation demands have sky-rocket in price leaving many to ponder how they can survive.

If I may be as blunt as to state we will likely encounter one of three serious situations in our near future.

1. Nothing will change. Things will remain the same as they are right now. We as a nation will persistently trudge along as our government continues to fling towards us small tads of hope after each and every crisis. Our elected officials are apt to sink our nation deeper in debt as they inject what they deem as stimulus money into the arms of overbearing industries.

2. As a nation we will be obligated to initiate some fundamental adjustments in the way we do business in order to elevate our economic progress to a more positive level. No longer will it be acceptable to survive financially beyond our means but rather each entity in the economic food chain will revert to a physical-collateral system based upon what we own and what we owe. We will once again look at the books of life as being either in the black or in the red.

3. Our third choose consists of continuing to formulate wrong economical decisions ultimately triggering our financial system into collapsing. The current arrangement of trade whether is based upon dollars, euros, yens or what have you, will be nothing more then entries found in a collectors book of past monetary tokens. When this occurs we will be able to honestly admit that our society has plummeted to one point short of pure chaos.

Now we have no choice. Since employment will rarely exist at this point in time our spending both by individuals and by government entities will quickly come to be curtailed. Our government will no longer be capable of financing their accrued debt. Their income via taxes will be near to nil since there exists no one being gainfully employed.

At this point our government leaders will be confronted with the seizure of private physical assets however; the people recognizing their need these items to survive will finally fight back. The question here is how can we survive until the system balances itself out and becomes self-sufficient once again.

Your first consideration will need to center upon your income. Are you currently depending upon the government handing you a monthly paycheck? Do you receive your livelihood from a government retirement plan? Is social security your means of income? The solution to this dilemma is simply not to depend upon a single source of income. I know it’s difficult but is essential to survive.

Your second point to ponder is how much money you currently owe out. Will the person or agency you owe this money to come after you for it if you are unable to pay it? What seized assets do you risk losing if you can no longer afford the payments on this debt? At this point your best course of action would be to eliminate those debts as soon as you possible can. Above all do not incur additional debt.

The third point we will make here is where are you keeping your assets? Are they in government bonds or tangible items which can be bartered? If it comes down to joining a bartering system do you have additional supplies you can use or are your sources limited?

Our forth important point I would like to make concerns perceived skills which you may possess. Over the years have you acquired specific skills which could be in need by others? Would they be willing to adequately compensate you for your efforts? Having skills which can help you pay your bills can greatly increase your chances of survival.

Lastly, be realistic with yourself and determine what chances you have either alone or in a limited community for providing most of your needs, including security, for a short time period of time. Physically where are you located? Are you in the suburbs or in an urban environment? Is your current neighborhood good or bad as far as safety is concerned?

Do you have a yard or a patch of land that you could put to good use growing food on? Do you have the means of raising small livestock? Have you stockpiled supplies such as toilet paper, aspirin, batteries and cooking oil during your times of plenty?

When the infrastructure dropped out the bottom of the bottom of the barrel, will you have friends or neighbors that are likely to arrive at your doorstep with their hands outstretched? Or perhaps their goal is not so honorable and they arrive with evil intentions. Are you currently maintaining a low profile and provide the appearance of suffer with the rest of the people?

It seems like a lot to think about and it really is but if you take each issue one step at a time and make wise decisions you can be prepared for the next downfall. As long as people exist we will not have an economic collapse which lasts permanently. People generally want a society with peace and order. Looting does not thrive for the long term. Think and plan accordingly.

Copyright @2010 Joseph Parish
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Living In Orlando, The Sweet Spot Of Florida

Posted on March 3, 2011 by storage5


Orlando Florida is known by some as the vacation capital of the world and it certainly is a great place to vacation with major theme parks such as Universal Studios, Sea World, Islands Of Adventure and of course the mother of all theme parks, Walt Disney World. But not only is Orlando a great place to vacation, Orlando is a great place to live.

With a population of more than 200,000 people that call Orlando home, there are some top notch cultural, sporting, dining, entertainment and shopping experiences to really enjoy. You can take in the Orlando Museum Of Art, the Orlando Science Center, the Orlando Ballet, the Florida Film Festival, the Orlando Opera and more for the cultural side of your mind. The Orlando Museum Of Art is my favorite and features world class art exhibits from around the globe. It has been mentioned by Newsweek magazine as one of the top museums in the South.

Or if sporting events are your thing, come watch the UCF Golden Knights play this season’s home football schedule at their new stadium known as Bright House Networks Stadium. The Orlando Magic play at Amway Arena in downtown Orlando if you are a basketball fan or if you can’t get enough football, the Predators play arena football in the same stadium. Other large concert and entertainment events frequent the arena as well.

And if you want something to do at night then world famous Church Street in Downtown Orlando is the place to go. With venues such as music clubs, bars, comedy clubs, dance clubs and more, you are sure to find something to do to feed your nightlife needs.

Yes, Orlando is the vacation capital of the world, but just because you live here doesn’t mean you can’t participate in some of what brings millions of people here each year. International drive is bursting with fun, shopping, dining and attractions for everyone that enjoys a good time. Wet N Wild is a family fun water park good for hours of water bound entertainment. Several different water slides and thrill rides make for an enjoyable afternoon for all ages.

And the Orlando Convention Center along International Drive always has something going on. Whether it is a home show, a boat show, a car show or something else such as an educational seminar, the Orlando Convention Center has something for everyone. It is also the largest convention center and hotel complex in the world.

International Drive includes 5 of the top theme parks in Orlando including Sea World and Universal Studios, more than 30,000 hotel rooms, more than 450 stores, 3 major entertainment complexes and more than 150 different restaurants. You could spend a few days on International Drive alone and not see everything.

And if you are just moving to Orlando and need a place to live, there are nearly 300 apartment complexes and condo rentals available in the metro area to fit every budget. Some include great amenities such as clubhouses, free fitness and exercise centers, business centers with computers and internet access, beautiful swimming pools, racquetball courts and much more. And if you are in the market for a new home there are plenty being built and plenty for sale as Orlando Florida is one of the fastest growing areas in the south.

And you never have to worry about a place to work in Orlando since it is the great vacation escape, the resort and theme parks are always looking for people with many different skills. BellSouth, Lockheed Martin and Walt Disney World are major employers in Orlando with Disney World employing more than 50,000 people.

Yes, Orlando Florida is certainly one of the sweet spots of the southern United States. With everything there is to do here and great places to live and work, there isn’t any reason for a single boring day in this Central Florida paradise.

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