In my situation, it probably won't be me hanging it up, but merely ceasing to exist.  (As a contractor) I haven't started a complete house in over two years, my last remodel/addition started one year ago, and I've not paid myself since about September.  There are some small furniture projects here and there.    The vinyl gives me $50 - $100 or so at a time, but I never pay myself out of that.  It is just a self sustaining business.  I continuously post my little accomplishments anywhere I can as cheap advertising.  We are able to survive, and it is really not a bad thing.  At some point it will just no longer make sense to keep up with paying for licensing, insurance, etc. and I will cease to be "Open Collar Carpentry, Inc."  It is difficult bidding the small jobs that are out there because I'm bidding against these little fly-by-night, uninsured, non-tax paying, back of the pick up, guys who are working for cash in hand.  With the vinyl, it's just the opposite.  It is difficult to bid against the "Big Boys" who can print a tee-shirt for pennies, print a wrap, or provide a banner for $20 and tell everyone that cut vinyl is the "old, extinct" way to label a car.  So ending the businesses may not be my choice.  I am looking at my options.  In fact, I've been practicing: "Would you like fries with that?" and, "Welcome to Wall-Mart!"  How'd I do?   

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Sad that regardless of how the media and our government spin it,
we're all still hurting out here in the 'real world'.

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Those in control of our government need everyone to BELIEVE!

Why should any one of us believe figures that are provided by
the very same people who WANT to be re-elected?
The SPIN is to WIN.

But is it the truth?

*********************************
Most every small business has cut back to bare bones to survive in
this economy.  We are all hanging on hoping things will improve.
It has been 4 years now . . . that is a long recession.

This time of year we all have the winter blues....
please don't make any rash decisions now...
wait a bit longer and see what a few months bring.

In pollyanna mode....
Sue2

I agree that business it tough with our current economy but as camsmom said, "sleep on it...don't ditch it, just take a breather". We all have our good and bad times. I am a retired and cut and sandblast as a hobby and the extra money allows us to eat out a little bit more often. Take a vacation for a while and weigh all the facts before you make your decision. 

Some very good points by all. My main reason is space and time.

Working a full time job plus running the webhosting along with an auction site and doing sign stuff on the side leaves little time for relaxing. I might just end up cutting back and taking a break for a while. I still plan on going to that show so maybe that will reignite the spark for me as well.

I know I do not post alot anymore, but I do read and keep in touch with what you all are doing,,

This is a Sad thread. I do understand being to busy and finding personal time.

I am however super happy to find out that you all will still come and post  and remain a part here of the forum,
Some of us have been on forums together for many many years, and I feel you are like family.

Hugs to you all
Sandy jo

That's very true. I haven't done anything yet but It has crossed my mind multiple times. Still planning on doing this one show next month and going to start scaling back a bit on what I have in stock. I really enjoy the dye sub stuff but I haven't really done a formal cut sticker in a really long time now.

I was given a larger printer that needs some work so that is keeping me busy. It's kind of renewed a bit of the spark. I guess I find it as a bit of a challenge to see if I can breath live back into it. XD

In case anyone mis-interrupted most post, I am not going anywhere for what looks like a lonnnnnggggg time (unless I pick the correct lottery numbers)