While economists debate whether we are already in, or about to enter, a recession, it's starting to feel as though one is imminent either way. No doubt consumers will be affected, as will businesses like On The Fly. We thought we'd get out in front of this economic downturn by suggesting ways to get the most bang for your buck...

Reduce waste. We've all opened a bottle of wine over dinner or at a party and realized it wasn't going to get finished. A year ago, we'd have poured it down the drain while someone lit our cigar with a $100 bill. Not any more. Pek Preservation Systems makes a number of products that preserve an opened bottle of vino using argon gas.

Lifetime Guarantees. Sure, sometimes you might spend a little extra on something of extraordinarily high quality, but you have to consider it as an investment. The alternative -- buying a $15 umbrella, having it break after the first strong gust of wind, and then buying another and another, for example -- is not only psychologically bruising, but usually ends up being more expensive in the long run. Products like the El Casco desk accessories and M-Clip money clips are just a couple of examples of products that will last a lifetime.

Reversible anything. While some of us will resort to wearing our underwear inside-out just to double the use, there are better ideas. The Fairway & Greene Reversible Microfiber & Fleece Vest is a great example. One side keeps you warm when you're cold, the other side keeps you dry when you're wet. And it's on sale!

Double-buckle belts -- literally two for the price of one. Martin Dingman makes a couple double-buckle belts like the Julian Belt. With the Julian, not only do you get a beautiful Louisiana Alligator strap, but you get a buckle in sterling silver and one in polished brass. One for the days when you're wearing your gold watch, and one for the days when you're wearing your sterling silver cufflinks.

Loss Prevention Insurance. We wish more of our products had the kind of policy that Davek has created for his umbrellas. When you lose your umbrella (notice we did not say "if"), you send in a serialized ID card that is included with every Davek umbrella, and he sells you a 2nd one at 50% off the retail price. It's not quite 2 for the price of 1, but you can't complain about 2 for the price of 1 1/2. If only other vendors were so kind...

Our Winter Sale! While our sale is winding down, that just means that the savings are now up to 45% off all Fall fashion merchandise, including Bills Khakis Limited Edition, Fairway & Greene, Agave Denimsmith, Seaward & Stearn, and much more... 

No one likes a downturn, but they're an inevitable result of the business cycle. Together, we can weather this storm!