Over at Unit Interactive they have the audacity to announce that they “refuse to participate in this recession.” Furthermore, they are behaving like the good times are back again:
We’ve raised pay for our staff. We’ve hired experts, not low-wage warm bodies. We’ve purchased additional computer equipment, furniture, and additional software licenses. We’re growing our business by making good business decisions. We’re doing what businesses are supposed to do to keep the market healthy and we’re crafting our own market results. That’s how the market is supposed to work.
Following their lead I have patterned my post title after their excellently phrased recession refusal. You may well ask, “So big deal, what have you done to show your non-participation?” Well, not much, but doesn’t the thought count? I’m not a business so I can’t give my non-existent employees a raise. How about that I received a 4% raise? I think that loading up my Roth IRA with stocks last month should either be viewed as complete folly or as someone at least pretending that there is no recession. And today I moved the last of my government treasuries into the market. Now I haven’t bought a house but I have been toying with acquiring another home and join my neighbors who have already purchased foreclosed properties. And thinking about loans, I am still increasing my portfolio at Lending Club. As for acquiring goods, though not much, maybe this qualifies as a recession rebuffer:
Rickety with his new computer — some assembly required
You are a hard person. So difficult to convince. What about my upcoming nine day trip to Texas. Not all the family can go but Jill, Paul, and myself will be driving to Keller. Ahhh, now you are smiling. What’s that? Only a fool would vacation with the economy in the dumps? Well, all I can say is, “I refuse to participate in this recession.”
Update
12 Mar 2009 I’ve been asked what operating system I am running, how big a hard drive did I buy, and how much did it all cost. I am running Ubuntu 8.10 on two 640 GB drives that are configured as a RAID to give me fast 1.3 TB storage. I used the Alt CD installer for the RAID. System cost, including monitors, was $1298.83 with $34.71 shipping, all from Newegg. The two Asus 24″ monitors were $279.99 each, with free shipping.
And all through the system, not a Microsoft was stirring, not even a mouse.
Nice machine!
Wow, that’s great equipment! Nice screens! Something to be proud of! :)
I’m used to two screens at work so it was time to install some at home too. Now I won’t want to go to work. :)
I love the attitude. It says so much about the way I think we should be during this time. It does not say to be dumb, but to move ahead as though business will grow. there is a lot to be said about the mindset of abundance and the mindset of lack. One of those mindsets will lead to great things during tough times and the other will lead to being a part of the statistics of the day.
I like the equipment in the picture though. Do you have t3 internet to go with that?
Rick,
I could have managed without the new computer. My wife and I have a “Toys Fund” that we can individually dip into to buy “toys” that are not part of the regular budget. That is where the money came from. I firmly believe that “the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare.” Where there are shortages it is because of mismanagement politically and/or oppression. In other words we do it to ourselves, there is plenty for everyone.
I don’t need t3 Internet right now. I have Comcast that is paid for by an employer.
I work hard, but god I barely make ends meet. The boom didn’t make me rich either. I can’t get all kinds of welfare payments for my family. Well meanwhile, recession which hit everyone hard, even the places you would think to be recession proof. Stay connected.
This has a lot to do with the current scenario. I think recession has moved away now. So far we are seeing commendable improvement in employment and business growth as well. Your new system seems impressive a lot.