Editor's Journal

Don't look now, but there are only 76 selling days (and shopping-ugh!) until Christmas! Where has 2008 gone?

This seems like one of the fastest passing years I can remember. In reflection, maybe I just stayed more busy. I know got out and about a lot more this year to garage sales, flea markets and auctions. It seems like it was an especially good year for us when it came to finding bargain treasures. I am not sure I can explain why one year is good and one year isn't, but in talking with sellers, especially at garage sales, there was a lot of discussion about downsizing and trying to simplify their lives. In the process, we found many people turning lose of better collectibles and vintage goodies.

We also did a bit of profiling this year that might have helped our search efforts. Instead of frequenting particular areas of St. Louis where you might expect to find the "old money" or people who may have collected and kept nicer quality items through the years, we instead concentrated on older neighborhoods where seniors are beginning to move out of their homes and are ready to sell the few nice things they have. Our reasoning? Too often, Jim and I find that the "Tic-A-Bobs", as my grandmother used to call the well heeled, are more knowledgeable about what they have and want antique mall price or better, or they think that their Avon lipstick cameo that Aunt Sally handed down is surely a rare item to be featured on the Antiques Roadshow - hence a lofty and absurd garage sale price!

Where else have my days gone? We upgraded to the new website this year which has taken many hours. But when you are having fun doesn't time always seem to fly by? And in 2008 I fed my soul by making more found item, mixed media art pieces that I have sold at the antique mall and on a new "favorite" website of mine called Etsy. I know I am at my best when my creative "green light" is on and this year I tried and found new ways to make my productive hours really count financially and emotionally. Not only do we manage our website, but you know that we sell at Treasure Aisle antique mall here in St. Louis, we sell on eBay and Etsy and at local live auctions as well. So as I relate all this to you I am beginning to see where 2008 has gone. If you add to the mix being a live-in caregiver for my mom and swimming up to my high heels in alligators demanding more than I have to give, I see why I haven't noticed the days flying by until I heard on television yesterday that there are only 76 days left until Christmas!

The most important things I am reminded of this year are that everyone in these tough financial times needs to look after themselves. There really aren't shortcuts to the bank and really no free handouts. It may look like it from the Wall Street bailout that has just taken place, but most of us are going to have to find a way off the leaky ship by bailing out the boat ourselves. Do we have to get creative to keep our incomes healthy? You bet! Will we have to be flexible in our approach to selling, perhaps looking for additional places to sell our goods and services or new ways to sell them? You bet! I heard recently that in a 2004 census of working Americans the average two income family had 5 sources of income. We will all have to make ourselves more valuable in our primary bread winning endeavors and look for talents and abilities we can turn to our advantage to keep the money flowing our way. Anyone who works for themselves whether full or part-time knows that it takes a lot of self discipline and a strong personal work ethic to stay the course.

As times get harder across the country, and it looks like they may, my advice is to look for your own creative "green light" to guide you into things that will not only give you new or increased sources of income but will also be personally and emotionally rewarding. Making money and working for yourself is serious business. But finding a balance between what you need to do and what you enjoy doing will make you a happier person and will be reflected in the prosperity of your business. When you feel good, that creative "green light" will follow you around and you will have little problem in finding profitable solutions for you business. And before you know it... days will have flown by and you will look at the calendar and say, "Oh! My gosh... there are only 76 selling days (and shopping - hooray!) until Christmas 2009."

Until next time, happy selling and if you travel on the highways and byways, arrive home safely.

Georgia Goodridge

NCE Editor