There is hope.

I just heard from an old friend. He’s developed a technique to turn sewage sludge into usable energy that is cleaner, cheaper and environmentally friendly versus the current methods of incineration, trucking to land fill, or worse spread onto farm land (YUCK!).  

He needs $1 million of seed capital. Now here’s capitalism at work. An engineer invents a system that solves a major problem. He now need to take his idea out to potential investors, convince them of his value proposition and build these new systems.

My point is – isn’t it wonderful that even in this economic environment, we have great people thinking up solutions for problems that can become tomorrows big industry. This call made me happy and hopeful. Even in bad times you can’t crush the spirit of an entrepreneur with a viable idea.

I love this and if I had a million, I’d invest in solving an environmental hazard!! And by the way, the name of the company is called Clean Recovery, Inc. Unfortunately there is no website, yet!! 

If anyone wants info, I’ll send you the powerpoint!!

Viva la entrepreneur!!

The following article blog in the NYT does a nice job on the topic: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/if-you-got-money-its-time-to-spend-some/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

I can’t believe that I am now reading a phrase in the newspaper that I learned 25 years ago and by the way viewed as a mere theory.  But the concept is now relevant.  And how ironic.  We all need to save more and saving is what will get us out of debtor hell.  However there is a resounding BUT….and that BUT is we need to spend to help the economy from tailspinning into a deeper recession.  So, now do you get the paradox!!

But there is a near-term solution – it’s government spending. For anybody complaining about government spending – Here’s the equation you need to know:

GDP= C(Consumption) + I(Investment by businesses) +G(Government Spending) + X(exports) – M(imports).  If C goes down because savings is going up, then there is one clear place where the spending needs to come from – it’s government.

The reality is far more complex but you get the gist!!  So keep saving wisely but don’t forget to live while you’re living!!

Last night friends and family strapped on snow shoes and head lamps and took off into Beartown Mountain State Forest. It was a balmy 42 degrees and the moon broke through the clouds to provide a glow and shadows along the trails. It was truly magical – the combination of bringing a group of diverse ages and backgrounds together to walk in the snowy woods and then capping the evening off with food, drinks and a roaring fire in the fireplace is priceless.

And priceless it was in more ways than one – the walk in the woods — FREE.

But let’s think about it further.  We live in the Berkshires.  We have access to nature.  During these tough economic times, combining sport, connecting with friends and family and a simple dinner is old fashioned fun.  No fancy bells and whistles.

An investment in snow shoes can be anywhere from $50 – $300; I also suggest getting some adjustable poles.  You wear your hiking boots and voila – you are ready!!  I also use my snow shoes when showing land during the winter.

So, instead of fretting about money – call some friends, get out in the woods, cherish nature and appreciate why we live in the Berkshires – I did – and I feel fantastic!!