Is The Economy That Bad?

[Born to Fish]

Businesses on that stretch of Hwy 7 (Clinton to Warsaw) have had a rough go of it for the last decade or so.   First, there's the 2008 recession which hit the recreation industry really hard.  Locally you have the increased competition from the growth of businesses in Clinton and Warsaw and, on a larger scale, you have competition from LOZ and the Table Rock/Branson area; both areas where you can build houses close to the shoreline.  Also, a lot of the "baby boomers" are getting up there in age were they don't recreate as much as when they were younger plus Truman Lake is past its' "boom" period which makes it a bit less popular.  Its always been tough to make much of a living on a 3-4 month recreation season in Missouri, especially if you don't have activities for school kids!  In fact the last time I drove through Tightwad, the bank had even gone out of business too! Just my 2 cents!

    

[Riverwhy]

I think the economy is just uneven at this point.  Some business owners and real estate investors are doing very well right now.  Most white and blue collar W-2 earners have jobs but have not seen wage growth or starting wages that provide enough discretionary income to spend on fishing right now.

[Brian Jones]

On 10/17/2016 at 2:33 PM, Blazerman said:

While fishing in the BBB at the lake I am always amazed at all the really nice new looking bass boats you see. And then you see the nice trucks that go with them. I see these and think there sure must be a lot of guys making a whole lot of money in this world. And they are young and old.

We currently live in a world where boats can be financed for 15 years, vehicles for close to 10, credit card debt is at an all time high and personal savings at an all time low.  Before the housing crisis, people were purchasing $300,000 homes on $100,000 budgets and financing the closing costs as well.  We have become the "what's it gonna cost me a month" generation and we tend to overlook exorbitant interest rates and finance charges; all in an attempt to "keep up with the Joneses".  No pun intended.......

[Brian Jones]

On 10/16/2016 at 6:16 PM, Chief Grey Bear said:

That's my problem, no balls. 

I've always admired those that step out in faith and risk their security in a new business adventure; regardless of how it turns out for them.  Heck, I am locked in my comfort zone so tight that I rarely even consider new places to hunt or fish; let alone a life or career change.  

[Mitch f]

6 minutes ago, Brian Jones said:

I've always admired those that step out in faith and risk their security in a new business adventure; regardless of how it turns out for them.  Heck, I am locked in my comfort zone so tight that I rarely even consider new places to hunt or fish; let alone a life or career change.  

"If you have a business, you didn't build that!"

[Seth]

6 hours ago, Brian Jones said:

I've always admired those that step out in faith and risk their security in a new business adventure; regardless of how it turns out for them.  Heck, I am locked in my comfort zone so tight that I rarely even consider new places to hunt or fish; let alone a life or career change.  

Same here. I think that happens a lot with those of us that work in a school system. We gripe about how the pay stinks, but we make up for it time off and other benefits.

[Chief Grey Bear]

8 hours ago, Brian Jones said:

I've always admired those that step out in faith and risk their security in a new business adventure; regardless of how it turns out for them.  Heck, I am locked in my comfort zone so tight that I rarely even consider new places to hunt or fish; let alone a life or career change.  

Absolutely!!! With so many depending on my consistant income, it's scary to go all in on a dream. 

Its much less risky if you a sizable income that gives you wiggle room to play with your dream. 

[fishinwrench]

I pretty much live quarter to quarter, and I kinda like it that way.  Keeps me from screwing up so bad that I suffer more than a couple months.  

[Quillback]

Things are doing well here in NW AR.  It took a while to recover from the 2008 bust, but things are moving again.  New houses going up, road construction, and quite a bit of commercial construction.  Downside is traffic is getting to be a bit heavy. 

[oneshot]

4 hours ago, Quillback said:

Things are doing well here in NW AR.  It took a while to recover from the 2008 bust, but things are moving again.  New houses going up, road construction, and quite a bit of commercial construction.  Downside is traffic is getting to be a bit heavy. 

My wife had a hard time finding work there because she had a Union Card. But went to work for Tysons soon as she quit telling them she had one. Then Mexicans pushed her out on that.

We have a place close to Warsaw and have considered moving there but we have so much more here in Lebanon, so we will just visit up there.

oneshot