Q. What’s the function of this economic recession and when does it go back to normal ?
A. Let’s get our terminology straight: the inflated debt society we’ve been living in, is not “normal” from any angle – to return to the pre-recession way, would be to return to abnormal. The purpose of the recession is steer us to a saner way of life.
For instance, let’s say someone has $40,000 in the bank. In the old economy it might make sense to invest in real estate, which is now deflated in values with some of the lowest interest rates in many years. Unless prices rise, and there are buyers or renters able to afford the rent, what have you gained ? Future wealth will not be measured in how much we own, but in self-sustainability.
In keeping with that trend, I am converting my backyard into a vegetable garden, sharing the labor and produce with two other households (one of which has just lost their income). Excess produce will be sold at the farmer’s market, so that they can have an income for their family unit.
My backyard shed is being converted to a year-round growing shed, so that it is no longer dead space. And we are erecting a chicken coop from an old treehouse that was sturdily built.
It’s time for us to start thinking innovatively.
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