This is a big..... who the hell knows. I've been predicting an upswing for the last four years and it's only gotten worse. This article simply says.... sooner or later thing will improve, duh.
Too little, too late for many of my lumber friends. Let's hope sooner rather than later.
Is a Housing Construction Boom Coming? - Daniel Indiviglio - Business - The Atlantic
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
It is unwise to pay too little...............
The quote below was written a well over 100 years ago by John Ruskin, but still rings true. I especially like the last line.
Thought for the day....... "Save big money (or waste big money) at.... "
“It is unwise to pay too much, but it is unwise to pay too little.
When you pay too much, you loose a little money; that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything.
Because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.
It cannot be done.
If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run and if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.
There is hardly anything in the world that someone can’t make a little worse and sell a little cheaper – and people who consider price alone are this man’s lawful prey”. - John Ruskin 1819-1900
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Building Material Stores Continue To Close.
It is still happening at an alarming rate. The latest two in our area are McComb Lumber in McComb Ohio and T&M Supply in Stryker Ohio.
The Stryker one isn't on this map yet, but it has closed. Jim Haddox owner of McComb Lumber is a good friend of mine from back in the Ohio Lumbermen's Association days.
It's really sad for me to see this. I think the hand writing is on the wall for all of us independent lumber dealers. The old fashion yards without the large retail stores seem to be going first in our area, but I think the time is coming when even that walk in retail trade won't help much. It really bothers me when someone comes in for a chalk line and staples for their roofing felt, when I know they went to a big box for everything else. I guess the thing that irritates me the most is those same people come in and want donations for their kids baseball team, or post prom party.
I had a customer ask why I was not open Sundays anymore. The answer I wanted to give them was that twenty years ago, there were no big boxes between Fort Wayne and Toledo. People from the surrounding towns would shop here on the weekend. Now with four big boxes within 30 minutes of me, the surrounding town and many Edgerton people go to them. I can't afford to stay open five hours on a Sunday and sell only two or three hundred dollars worth of goods. The answer I told the guy is that I decided to have a life. After working 72 hours a week for twenty years, now that I'm working only 60 it seems like I'm semi-retired.
I still love my job and wouldn't want to do anything else. And even though I may not sound like it, I appreciate and treasure every customer I have.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Obama announces steps to speed US oil production
Obama announces steps to speed US oil production
The President is finding it's easy to sit back and criticize until you have to be the adult in charge; then the "pie in the sky" ideals have to be set aside and real decisions made.
This is what has to happen. He has to give up many of his precious ideals or the whole country will fail. We need oil and gas for energy and more importantly we have to kill the debt spending.
A compromise would be equal amounts of dollars of budget cuts and dollar amounts of new taxes for the short term. Then real reform to hold down spending and not spend any more than we take in. All new spending should not be allowed unless it is shown how we will pay for it NOW, not in the future.
Good luck with that in this political climate!
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Nation & World | Emanuel faces big money woes as next Chicago mayor | Seattle Times Newspaper
Hold onto your wallets tax paying citizens of the United States. Mayor elect Emanuel does have a lot of political ties and he will be reaching out for federal dollars. His ex-boss wants to help too. Chicago is the most unionized city in the US. If there is anyplace where the unions rule, it is there.
If our government just keeps handing our money out, problems will not and can not be solved.
Monday, February 21, 2011
taxfoundation.org/files/bp60.pdf
Who wants to do business in your state. Ohio is currently not a good place to do business or start a business. Governor Kasich plans to change that. The big question is can he do it.
The link takes you to a report discussing all 50 states. How does your state rank. Check it out.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Fuzzy, Frustrating Economics
I had an appraiser do our spec house and he told me they don't count the basement. Finished or not! So for instance in my house I probably have over $40,000.00 just in my basement that counts no more than as if it were just a concrete slab floor. What's wrong with this picture? It's no wonder so many nice houses are appraising so low. Bank and appraisal problems are discussed in this article.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The New American Past Time
Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie
and Remodeling!
It's almost February and I've been thinking of spring. I'm ready for some baseball, the all American past time and all the trimmings that go with it. I think baseball is my favorite spectator sport. It's a slow paced game and it's just nice to sit back, relax and watch the game with friends. A hot dog and a cold beer helps with the whole experience as well.
And what can be more American than good old apple pie! Man, I can almost taste that warm apple pie with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on it. Mmmm, is it lunchtime yet?
You might have noticed that I replaced Chevrolet with Remodeling in the title above. When I think of a good American past time, I think of remodeling, No offense Chevy fans, I just do. There's something about working with your hands that's good for your soul. And if you can get your son or daughter to help, it builds more than a finished room, it builds memories for a lifetime. So, this spring, take time for the baseball, hot dogs and apple pie (and maybe a beer), but also take on a project to improve your home. Remodeling: The other All American Past Time!
Have fun and remember, hammer the pointed nail, not the finger nail.
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