I think a lot of businesses aren't going to be able to survive in the near future, honestly. I make plenty of money to live as comfortably as I want, but at the same time I'm cutting back on things I don't really need, especially eating out and services that are mostly for convenience, and I know a lot of people are making the same decision. I think a lot of businesses were cultivated in a time when there was so much spare money all around, from the 1990's until recently, and I feel like there's going to be a shakeout on what people really value and find important.

I've been seeing what happens when I just stop spending money, and my quality of life hasn't dropped one bit. I'm cooking at home, playing my banjo, reading, and hanging out in the woods and parks with my old friends.

I have some friends who own businesses and they're noting that the current crop of high school and college-aged employees are among the best they've ever had. They say they are more punctual than in the recent past, are more appreciative of having a job, work harder, and all-around do a better job than they've ever seen.