Middle-Class Lifeboat: Careers and Life Choices for Navigating a Changing Economy [Paperback]

Paul Edwards J.D. (Author), Sarah Edwards Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

A comprehensive guide to safeguard your livelihood, income, and standard of living through the ups and downs of any economy.

Most Americans, no matter what their economic circumstances, identify themselves as middle class. A recent Gallup poll showed that 63% consider themselves upper-middle or middle class. And they are feeling burned out and squeezed, under pressure to bring home more and more money just to maintain their standard of living. Middle Class Lifeboat is an answer to that pressure, a comprehensive guide to living a more stress-free lifestyle.

• Part I: Safeguarding Your Livelihood: profiles the 53 best jobs to have to be self- sufficient whether the economy is up or down.
• Part II: Safeguarding Your Income: 6 ways to extend your earnings, that don't always involve money.
• Part III : Safeguarding Your Standard of Living: 10 off-the-grid lifestyle choices to increase your quality of life

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785220526
• ISBN-13: 978-0785220527
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,307,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not written for current Economic conditions., February 28, 2008

By 

Jennifer Whiddon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Middle-Class Lifeboat: Careers and Life Choices for Navigating a Changing Economy (Paperback)

I bought this because I'm extremely worried about my career in this economy. (I'm a Hair Salon Owner and a Stylist) I've been doing this for a long time and I love it. But we have been hit by this economy so hard that I thought I would get this book to prepare for hard times. Get a 2nd job. Most of the Careers listed aren't safe or feasable. I have a Massage Therapist working for me and also network with 5 others and they are taking 2nd and 3rd jobs to even bring home any money. This is a luxury for people right now. Mobile services! Again, most people can't afford a Personal Shopper; an Errand Service. Cleaning Services are being cut back when it is something you can do yourself. A few years ago, these were good, (just good) suggestions. Times have changed and people are looking for real ways to survive. I think they needed to update the information and really think about people that are living pay check to pay check. Most of these people are who we'd be marketing to. If they are living pay check to pay check then a massage, a haircut, personal shoppers, errand services, personal chefs, cleaning services, interior decorating, etc. will not be their sweet spot. They are going to buy the necessities and that is about it. I would do your own research, because this info is too old to deal with these economic conditions.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and important, January 7, 2008

By 

Mar G. Preston (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Middle-Class Lifeboat: Careers and Life Choices for Navigating a Changing Economy (Paperback)

I could not be more enthusiastic about the usefuleness of this book. Anyone who has seen the erosion of his paycheck or retirement fund will find value in the huge number of ideas and resources useful in re-directing a future to cope with a very slippery economy. It's motivating to read accounts of people not just scrimping to get by, but living life largely with big ideas--and happily. What a piece of work to pull all this together! My copy is already marked up and tagged with sections that inspire me.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really useful book that I'm recommending to my clients, April 11, 2008

By 

L. Buzzell-saltzman "Linda Buzzell-Saltzman" (Santa Barbara) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Middle-Class Lifeboat: Careers and Life Choices for Navigating a Changing Economy (Paperback)

I'm a career counselor and am delighted that the Edwards have written this forward-thinking book. It's the first of its kind I've seen that's written for a new time and a new economy. I'm recommending it to my clients who are struggling to maintain a middle-class life in turbulent economic times. It helps them realize that things have really changed and we need to be considering new options and new approaches that seem counter-intuitive and different from what we've explored in the past. I urge those of you who are resisting what the Edwards are saying to take a second look. Don't shoot the messenger! Realize that they're offering really helpful advice for rapidly changing conditions.

The book doesn't recommend any one choice over any other, but instead puts forward a well-researched smorgesboard of choices that other people are actually pursuing successfully. The Edwards point out the pros and cons of each of these occupations. The list they present can help trigger people's imaginations as they search for a way forward into a richer but perhaps simpler way of life. They don't pull any punches in telling us that to survive and thrive in future economic conditions, we'll need to get out of debt, curb our shopping addictions and be open to new ways of doing things. You may not want to hear this, but it's excellent and practical advice.

Even Alan Greenspan admitted yesterday that we're in a recession. Wake up and smell the coffee, folks!