Retail sales have taken a hit because of the recession. But shoppers haven't disappeared altogether; some have turned into swappers. As reported on Mainstreet.com, clothing swap groups have become popular on Meetup
, a site that helps users organize or find meetings based on common interests. Everyone who brings something to the swap event may take something. What's left over usually gets donated to charity.
Looking to swap other stuff? Sites like Swaptree.com
and Paperbackswap.com
help people trade books, CDs, DVDs, and video games. Totsswapshop.com
is for people who want to trade kids' clothes, furniture, or toys.
Matt's View
Of course, you don't need a web site to organize a swap. Just put the word out among friends or co-workers. My wife recently complimented a friend on her outfit. It turns out she got it at a swap she organized among employees of her business.
The summer vacation has been downgraded - again. First it became a staycation, with people opting for local entertainment as a way to save money. Now, according to a Consumer Reports article, tight finances and fears over job security are prompting 35 percent of workers to say they don't plan to take a vacation at all this year. Among those who are going to get away, 28 percent plan to stay in touch with their office while on vacation - up from 20 percent in 2007. That number may grow after people ask their bosses for time off, as fully 50 percent of employers expect their people to stay in touch during their vacations this year, prompting Consumer Reports to coin the term "paycation."
Matt's View
If you manage others, it would be a great gift to your people if you encouraged them to take their vacation time and required them not to stay in touch while they're away. Sure, you'll build loyalty and enhance productivity. But more importantly, it's simply the right thing to do.
Looking for some inexpensive entertainmment for the kids this summer? Five Cent Nickel
put together a helpful list of movie theatre chains that are offering free or inexpensive kid-friendly movies.
Matt's View
Libraries often have special summer programs for kids as well. The great library in our little town is offering extra story times, craft-making sessions, and weekly movies with free popcorn.
How's this for a subtle reminder of the importance of backing up the data on our computers? "You have a 100% chance of the data on your hard drive becoming corrupting, degrading, or disappearing." That wake up call comes courtesy of the Suburban Dollar
blog.
Matt's View
I bought an external hard drive a couple of years ago after my trusty Mac froze up, leaving me pacing the floor at a nearby Apple store hoping and praying that the teenage tech behind the counter could ressurect my family photos, workshop presentations, and, oh yeah, the manuscript for my first book. But even after surviving what felt like a near-death experience I've used the drive so infrequently that it took me a while to remember where I put it. I've now scheduled monthly backups on my calendar.
For about $5 per month, several online storage backup sites, such as MyOtherDrive
and Carbonite
, will back up your files automatically. You could also copy important files onto DVDs or flash drives. Do you have a system for backing up your computer files? If so, let me know
what approach you use and how well you like it.
