All right, we get it… Gas prices are high; the real estate market isn’t good, stocks are down, and many banks are in a mess. The media keeps drilling it into our heads like we had no idea.

Despite their negativity this may actually be an excellent time to better your life and the lives of those around you. Tough times are some of the best times for people to become resourceful, innovative, and make positive changes.

Here are 9 ways you can take advantage of this “terrible” economy.

1. Buy foreclosures and invest in real estate

It’s a buyer’s market for sure. You don’t want to look back in ten years from now and have a “shoulda, coulda, woulda” moment. Even if prices aren’t low in your area, explore different towns and states for commercial locations and empty lots. Even if you don’t have the resources and funds to develop right now, stake your claim while you can.

2. Invest in green technology

High oil prices are igniting interest in alternative fuels and green technology. If you’re active in the stock markets, perhaps you should consider doing some research on emerging green companies. If you’re not an active trader, another way to invest is to explore purchasing a hybrid or electric car. It might be costly now, but in a few years you’ll be happy.

3. Start a company

Sure, there are a lot of companies shutting down but this maybe the right time to start a company up. Here are some tips to think about if you want to launch a start up:

- Look for an industry or market with a large number of businesses closing. Are the big competitors shutting down? If so, you’ll have less competition.

- Research the reason why they closed.

- Find a solution and an opportunity in what they did wrong.

- Many of the companies shutting down are large corporations. So one of the best things going for you is being small but thinking big.

4. Switch careers

I know exactly what you’re thinking or even saying right now, “well there are no jobs, and my job’s safe.” Is it really though? Do you like what you do? Is there a long commute? And many expenses? You must ask yourself questions like these. Wouldn’t you rather be your own boss? Or have a job that you enjoy so much you don’t care what you get paid or what it costs you to get there?

5. Move somewhere you’ve always wanted to

A location or town you’ve dreamed about living in might be at its most affordable right now. Seize this window of opportunity to make a big change.

6. Learn

During times like these there is plenty that you can learn. Such facts as:

- Where the US gets most of its foreign oil from.

- How much gasoline the US uses.

- How big of a role the media plays in driving up fuel prices and striking fear in the public about their finances.

Become aware and educate yourself. You can prevent yourself from letting any future economic troubles giving you trouble.

7. Go on vacation!

Many people are skipping vacations because prices aren’t affordable for them. But you shouldn’t let that hold you back. While everyone else is staying home you can live it up and enjoy yourself with smaller crowds.

8. Get your voice out there

If increasing prices, the bad economy, and politicians are making you frustrated, then take action. Harness the power of new and old media to voice your opinions. Offer new ideas and solutions, be controversial, and be a leader.

9. Break bad habits & modify your lifestyle

Old habits die hard, but they might die quickly in a tough economy. Think about walking or riding a bike instead of driving everywhere. You’ll stay fit, save cash, and help out the environment. It’s a win-win-win situation.

Photo by Brent and MariLynn

*Note: These are views and opinions expressed in this post. Not concrete financial advice guaranteeing success. Lyved is not responsible for your actions.

Lyved has come a long way since its launch in January. Some of the most popular articles have been read thousands of times; some even hundreds of thousands of times. Many of the goals I set have been accomplished but now it is time to go even BIGGER!

With the launch of this new design, today marks the journey of taking Lyved from what it was yesterday to what will be one of the most popular and influential blogs in the world in the near future.

Lyved will continue to cover success, goals, and personal development but life consists of many things, so Lyved will also cover other topics. No matter what subject is being discussed, all articles will remain inspiring, positive, motivational, and informative.

I believe sharing goals helps people achieve them even more quickly thanks to positive pressure. So to give me an extra boost I’d like to share with you my new goals for Lyved:

- Make Lyved one of the Top 100 Blogs on Technorati

- Increase readership to at least 1 million unique individuals a month.

- Have Lyved, our articles, and our opinions featured in magazines, newspapers, and on television.

- Turn Lyved into a platform where high profile and low profile people of the world can share and discuss whatever is on their minds.

- Turn Lyved into a full time business.

- Bring positivity to the negative-filled media.

- Raise awareness for important causes.

- Win a blog award.

- Change the world even more.

You may be thinking, “When will all this be achieved?” Well my goal is to accomplish a lot of these within the next six to twelve months. With more focus and hard work it is very achievable. I’ve included this goal list on the about page. I will update it whenever something is achieved or when I think of new goals to add to the list, so please be sure to check it out once and awhile.

Now, I’d like to give a special thanks to a few of my friends for helping re-launch Lyved:

Firstly, I’d like to thank Konstantino Kapetaneas. He designed this amazing layout for Lyved. The design is very simple, sleek, and very professional, perfect for Lyved. If you’d like to check out some of Konstantino’s other designs and creations please visit his portfolio here http://konstantino.deviantart.com/.

Secondly, I’d like to thank Syed Balkhi for coding the design to work with wordpress. Syed has an amazing talent and runs a web design company called Uzzz Productions. If you’re interested please visit their website here: http://www.uzzz.net/.

Thirdly, I’d like to thank Jacob Gube for helping me with moving Lyved to a new server. If you are into web design and development I recommend Jacob’s blog Six Revisions. It is an excellent resource and has quickly become one of the top blogs in its genre.

Lastly, I’d also like to thank Marius Jivoin for creating Lyved’s great new logo.

I appreciate all the help you’ve given me. Thanks to the four of you, Lyved is ready for a big future.

I’d also like to thank all of you for being a part of the beginning of Lyved. It has been really exciting and interesting. But get ready for what’s next; it’s going to be very bright and exciting!

One more piece of information: I really enjoy writing but I’d like to get many more voices on Lyved. So if you are interested in writing please visit this page for more information.

-Andrew

Photo by James Jordan

Buying an eco-friendly car or outfitting your house with solar panels and the latest green tech can be costly and time consuming. Perhaps this is why many are reluctant to go green. However you can be green today with these seven simple ways. Some may seem stupid but they are often overlooked for that reason.

1. Don’t turn your faucet on until you’re ready

This is an interesting habit many of us have. When we want to rinse our toothbrush or fill something with water, we turn on the faucet before the brush or cup is under the water. Think of how many times this is done and how much water is lost over time. It adds up. Hold your cup or toothbrush under the faucet before turning it on and turn off the faucet before moving anything.

2. Take it easy when driving

One of the best ways to save some gas is just to be more relaxed. No tailgating or pushing the petal to the metal. It’ll keep your blood pressure down as well. Also if you’re driving downhill, let your vehicle coast and when you’re coming to a stop don’t slam on your brakes, slowly reduce your speed.

3. Have a dehumidifier? Use the water

It gets very humid in basements during the summer, so you might have a dehumidifier to take the moisture out of the air. Don’t toss the water that fills up the bucket out the window, use it. You can water your flowers and plants. Perhaps you can even use the water to fill a bucket for suds to clean your car.

4. Reuse trash bags

Obviously you can’t do this with your kitchen garbage but you might be able to reuse your bathroom’s trash bag. Most bathrooms have a small can that you throw paper waste in. Well dump that waste into your kitchen garbage and save the smaller bag.

5. Attach funnels to your watering cans

If you’re a gardener, place your watering cans out in the open with some type of funnel in the can’s opening. Then when a rainstorm comes the funnels will catch the raindrops and fill the can.

6. Take the time to start tissue and paper towel rolls

This might seem stupid but when you’re the first one to use a new roll of paper towels or toilet paper, you know what I’m talking about. It always seems impossible to use the first piece of the roll. It always get ripped and shredded, and sometimes if you keep pulling it tears through 5 more sheets. The next time you have to start a roll, relax, breath, and take your time to save that first sheet.

7. Water plant roots, not leaves and flowers

You’d be surprised at how many people don’t understand this. You have to water the plant’s roots, not the leaves and/or flowers. A large percentage of water will evaporate off the leaves and flowers, without the plant getting what it needs. Because of this your plants will probably die. Make sure to water the base of the plant to reduce evaporation.

There are plenty more ways that you can be green. It doesn’t take much and after you practice new ways over and over, they’ll eventually become habits for you.

Photo by Frank E.

“I will act now. I will act now. I will act now. Henceforth, I will repeat these words each hour, each day, everyday, until the words become as much a habit as my breathing, and the action which follows becomes as instinctive as the blinking of my eyelids. With these words I can condition my mind to perform every action necessary for my success. I will act now. I will repeat these words again and again and again. I will walk where failures fear to walk. I will work when failures seek rest. I will act now for now is all I have. Tomorrow is the day reserved for the labor of the lazy. I am not lazy. Tomorrow is the day when the failure will succeed. I am not a failure. I will act now. Success will not wait. If I delay, success will become wed to another and lost to me forever. This is the time. This is the place. I am the person.”

Og Mandino

-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Photo by ericskiff