Some might think I'm tooting my own horn, performing a publicity stunt, blowing smoke, etc, etc, if so, your entitled to think that way. I'm coming right out and saying it; with the prices the way they are, some item climbing out of control, talks of getting taxed to death and all that, I'm not playing. I'm not raising prices on anything I make. I'm not going to be part of the problem. My answer is do things more cost effective, optimize my resources, set the heat lower in my shop and put on a coat and hat (I'm the only one out there working so I don't have to hear employees whine about the cold.) I'll use more hand tools and less power tools. Open some doors and turn off some lights, or even work outside. Chop my own feathers.... eat less (if that's possible), all while keeping the quality at the best of my capability. It all sounds like more work on my end, and it is, but at least the customers won't deal with it. After all it's customers that pay my salary.
Sound like I'm blowing smoke? Remember I'm not a used car salesman, I can't leave at the end of the day and forget "the job". It's here day and night and it's a big part of me, and if I don't give the customers the best deal I can it's all gone.
So during these times, when everything seems to be a huge economic avalanche, just know I'm swimming upstream.