Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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!

In my time of mid-life career transition, this book was helpful in helping to point me to a new career that wouldn't be gone in a few years. And, since I'm closing in on retirement age, lots of helpful ideas on how to make it enjoyable.

Paul and Sarah Edwards are seasoned writers and know home business intimately. This is their latest book, and will not disappoint the reader. Subtitle is Careers and Life Choices for Navigating a Changing Economy.

This huge book is over 500 pages of research, ideas, and strategic plans for thriving in any economy.

Back cover reads: "Inside, you will discover ways to safeguard your livelihood, provide for your family, and pursue a career you love."

The book introduces many new outside-the-box ways of living, earning money, and enjoying your life. The authors are extremely thorough and lay out options, ideas, views, and then they have put in sections that say "our advice," so you can consider and weigh new concepts in living your life while viewing many pros and cons.

Some ideas presented are about becoming more "green" and doing "greener" businesses; others are about living with roommates or having elderly parents live with you to share expenses and make for tighter bonds; others are about bartering and other financial matters. The ideas presented have extensive details for how to execute them so you can actually picture what each scenario might be like for you and your family.

The authors present dozens of jobs, tell you the projected start up costs, and other details about considering each as a new career or something to add to what you currently do for a living.

Excellent book for people who realize they have to be more creative to make a living, as well as a life, in the USA and in other countries.

Lifeboat has lists of numerous web sites and resources to contact for further information in dozens of categories, including food, shelter, clothing, family and living dynamics, jobs, careers, and how to change your situation from surviving to thriving.

Lifeboat is a reference book that can save you countless hours of research and lots of money. The Edwards' have done most of the homework, due diligence, and legwork, so that you can make informed decisions and wise choices for your future.

Unlike some of the other reviewers, I see this book as a breakthrough in what you need to do to continue to thrive in a completely different economy. Whether your new business is home day-care, internet commerce, or consultant, the fact remains that there are less and less companies hiring employees and if you are being downsized, you need to take action ahead of time to secure your financial future. This book is for people who need to make a change, who want to make a change, and who like to have some analytical data behind the decision making process, along with some helpful resources for additional information. If there is any shortcoming in this book, it is with the topic of marketing for your own business. Marketing is such a huge topic that it just wouldn't fit in this already hefty volume of information. Excellent book for life changing times!

As a top-producing residential real estate agent living and working in a small rural community, my feeling is that "Middle Class Lifeboat" could not have been published and distributed at a better time! With over 500 pages of tips and solid information about how to downsize, minimize, save and earn money without feeling the edge, I recommend this book not only to the middle class, but all who are concerned with the future for themselves, their children, grandchildren and beyond.

Developing a quality tool such as "Lifeboat" could not have been an easy job. But Paul and Sarah Edwards have done the research, put it all together in an easy to read and understand paperback that is affordable as it is useful. Clearly, the knowledge and class of these brilliant authors will allow millions to get on track and realize a higher quality of life with just a few minor adjustments in their earning and spending habits.

I have purchased ten copies of this book to pass on to my clients as helpful information on how they can survive not only living in a rural community but also in today's economy. I'm looking forward to the reaction of each person that reads "Lifeboat" and implements some or many of the ideas that The Edwards have so thoughtfully brought together in this fabulous book. Clearly written for today, I see myself referring to this valuable information for years to come. I hope you will, too!

Other books written by Paul and Sarah Edwards that I have read and highly recommend are:

Making Money With Your Computer At Home
Changing Direction Without Losing Your Way
The Best Home Businesses For People 50+

I loved the authors other books, but this is a bad mismash of advice....the classic advice they give is to "sell and move to a cheaper location". Which is a popular boomer option if you are at the correct end of the boomer generation.( which I am not).
The first half of the book gives advice on home and service business, the second half tells you to save money by avoiding these services.....hmmm.
I am a professional dog trainer,, and when I see dog training listed as a home business for "people who love pets"... I just sigh, it took me 15 years to have the experence to give dog advice.... and thousands of dollars of training, and showing dogs.... in my area we have people with no ability or training to handle dogs go into business every year, based on cheap advice like this... they don't last long and do some major damage on the way...makes you wonder about home business advice.
Please save your money, these fine authors need to take a break from making money with recyled material and cheap advice. Perhaps the next book will be more honest.

Paul & Sarah Edwards have done it again! With over 2 million books in print, they continue to prove that they can help you be successful and prosperous working for yourself. Middle-Class Lifeboat, careers and life choices for navigating a changing economy comes just when we need it most. With the credit crisis getting worse each day and an imminent recession for 2008, this book is perfect to help anyone make educated choices about their career, quality of life, finances, and how to stay financially afloat as the economy falls. I will recommend this book to everyone in business that I know.

Paul and Sarah Edwards have written another highly practical book to help us cope with living, working and growing older.