I read the book, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe during my first year in graduate school. Without going deeply into the plot, I can tell you that this book is about change, loneliness, abandonment, fear, and the importance of social relationships. One of the main themes behind this book is that there is no such thing as a static culture. Change is continual, and flexibility is necessary for successful adaptation.

I clung to that theme, as it defined my life to that point. And, it continued to define how I lived. I've always been a survivor and I know how to deal with adversity; but, current financial changes are something new. My world, although it seems stable, feels like it's falling apart.

Why do I feel this way? I haven't lost my job, because I don't have one to lose. I own a business, and so far it looks like business is thriving. I'm working twice as hard as I did last year, and my clients all seem to be in good shape. They continue to pay their bills, so I only check their vitals every two to three months rather than weekly. I'm making regular house payments on a fixed mortgage, and my daughter still is ensconced in college. So, why do I feel the bottom is about to drop out from under me?

Well, for one thing, a credit card company is stalking me. I'm making regular payments and I overpay what I owe each month. Yet, this company lowers my credit limit every month to equal my balance. Although I've talked with them several times, they keep stating that they're basing their actions on my credit rating. Ironically, their actions are affecting my credit rating. There's nothing I can do but patiently pay it off and then shut them off. Forever.

Additionally, I don't know who I have credit with any more. My credit card companies have changed hands so many times that I don't know which banks hold my debt. Bill Maher has the same problem – he said on his show the other night that he asks his credit card companies for two forms of ID before he'll deal with them. This changing of the “credit card guard” is both frustrating and frightening, as it's difficult to stay on top of all the credit terms as banks roll over.

Two folks have foreclosed on their homes on this street over the past four months. Fortunately, one bank stays on top of the property and it looks great. The other property, on the other hand, is beginning to look like it has been abandoned for years. On the other hand, several local foreclosed homes have sold within the past month. However, the survivors in this neighborhood are fretting, as we see neighbors we knew being forced out of their homes.

As the mortgage survivors, we are seeing homes in our area being sold below valuation (of course, none of us know, exactly, how much our homes are worth anymore). This is just another sign of the changes that we are having to live through in today’s environment.

On another note, my siblings also own their own businesses. One is happy with the decline in business as he invested in food and water companies over the past several years and his portfolio is healthy. Plus, he's saved enough money by working so hard that he didn't have time to spend his income. Now, he's happy to relax in his hot tub as his client load decreases. On the other hand, my other brother isn't doing so well. He's in court now, trying to salvage some of the money that seven out of ten clients owe to him.

My parents' retirement income has been cut by ninety percent. Ninety percent! Although I may be residing in a low-rent neighborhood within a year or two, I also may need to take my parents in so they have a roof over their heads. This means I need to finance a bathroom addition in the basement so they don't need to climb stairs for a reprieve. But, I'm glad I'm in a position to help them if needed.

Finally, all the relief efforts that have been spelled out in Washington over the past month don't affect me one whit. As I said, I'm on a fixed mortgage and I haven't missed a payment. So any mortgage relief is moot in my case. I don't own a car, and I don't plan to buy one anytime soon. Any benefits for car owners or buyers won't help me, unless I go in debt to purchase a vehicle.

Despite my fears, I know that entire communities never felt the Great Depression. These towns were, ironically, based upon the railroad industry as their primary means for income. In fact, some towns, like Clifton Forge, Virginia, thrived during the Great Depression. Now, however, without a major business to fall back on since the majority of railroads have vacated this region, Clifton Forge has become as desolate and as desperate as Wall Street.

What to do? My answer is to return to the book's theme, where flexibility is necessary for successful adaptation. If you're in my boat or better, now is the time to become a visionary with your portfolio. Stocks that used to pay great dividends may be altered forever by this financial crisis. Blue Chip stocks may fall from grace.

Instead, you might look at flexible companies. In my mind, a flexible company is not so large that it “cannot fail.” Instead, companies that may survive and thrive now are those that provide basics like food and water, or that have the vision to foresee what this country will need within the next ten years. Greener businesses, updated and renewed transportation and infrastructure and the materials that will get it all done. That's what I'm watching now.

Be a visionary, be flexible and – although changes are happening quickly – be surefooted. By the time everything finishes falling apart, you may find yourself very well put together.

Until Later,
Linda Goin