Post by fernwood on Apr 13, 2020 3:42:24 GMT -5
I went overboard (for me) this past year on purchases. Spent about $2000.00.
Lots of used equipment, which was repaired/refurbished.
Rocks/slabs I was planning on making cabs from.
Other jewelry supplies.
Extra tumbling grits/polishes.
Some new (used) display items.
I had been accepted into 4 local, juried shows. Requested not to be scheduled for work those days. Now 3 of those shows have been cancelled, the May/June ones. I heard the other show in June is going to probably be cancelled.
Granted, I was the show manager for one and made the decision to cancel.
Had spent lots of time building inventory. Selecting tumbled rocks, cabs and rough slabs for upcoming shows. Planning on making some specimen displays, shadow boxes and other items from rocks.
There are only 3 more local shows I can apply for. Those occur in September - November.
Online sales via Facebook are not great.
Unemployment = about 25% of what I was earning while working. Not enough to cover essential monthly expenses, such as utilities, lP gas, phone, internet, car/home insurance, payments to rodent control, payment for my basement pumping and another personal checking account deduction which is over half of my Unemployment. Have plenty of food for my 4-legged family members. Some for me. Being creative on what I am eating.
Have no idea when my employer will be able to call back employees. All depends on when the restriction limiting gatherings is lifted.
Now is not the time to take money out of my retirement account as it took a recent hit, as I am sure those of others did. Plus, there would be an early withdrawal penalty.
So many are limiting nonessential spending now. At least my usual customer base is. Some have ordered items, but said they could not pay until the COVID "crisis" is over. I just let them know I understood their concerns, but would not ship anything without payment.
I know many others are in similar situations. How are you handling this?
Do you have any pointers for someone in this situation?
Thank you
Lots of used equipment, which was repaired/refurbished.
Rocks/slabs I was planning on making cabs from.
Other jewelry supplies.
Extra tumbling grits/polishes.
Some new (used) display items.
I had been accepted into 4 local, juried shows. Requested not to be scheduled for work those days. Now 3 of those shows have been cancelled, the May/June ones. I heard the other show in June is going to probably be cancelled.
Granted, I was the show manager for one and made the decision to cancel.
Had spent lots of time building inventory. Selecting tumbled rocks, cabs and rough slabs for upcoming shows. Planning on making some specimen displays, shadow boxes and other items from rocks.
There are only 3 more local shows I can apply for. Those occur in September - November.
Online sales via Facebook are not great.
Unemployment = about 25% of what I was earning while working. Not enough to cover essential monthly expenses, such as utilities, lP gas, phone, internet, car/home insurance, payments to rodent control, payment for my basement pumping and another personal checking account deduction which is over half of my Unemployment. Have plenty of food for my 4-legged family members. Some for me. Being creative on what I am eating.
Have no idea when my employer will be able to call back employees. All depends on when the restriction limiting gatherings is lifted.
Now is not the time to take money out of my retirement account as it took a recent hit, as I am sure those of others did. Plus, there would be an early withdrawal penalty.
So many are limiting nonessential spending now. At least my usual customer base is. Some have ordered items, but said they could not pay until the COVID "crisis" is over. I just let them know I understood their concerns, but would not ship anything without payment.
I know many others are in similar situations. How are you handling this?
Do you have any pointers for someone in this situation?
Thank you
