In our recent economic climate there are many who wish to point out lessons learned from this event. Obvious lessons include the need to spend less than you receive in wages, save money whenever possible, use what you do have as long as possible and find ways to cut back.

The Great Depression is a historical monument to frugality. Many who lived through that era remained frugal throughout their lives. This is in stark contrast to the last few decades. We often want what we want when we want it and don't mind using credit to get it.

I think one of the biggest lessons of this economic misstep is that we should not wait for someone to bail us out. We need to have a strong sense of self-reliance.

This is especially true of those involved in ecommerce. The growth of business online is staggering. It is something that is used by some as their sole means of income while others use it to supplement an income that may not quite cover all the expenses.

Face it; many people are looking for work. The Internet may actually provide the feeling of becoming a mom and pop establishment of the past in this modern age of fast page corporate lifestyles.

There are numerous couples who are turning to ecommerce and home-based business as a means of escaping the lack of job security in the general workplace. Many do this intentionally and others are introduced to the idea through necessity.

These individuals are not looking for a handout. They are striving to meet the needs of their customers, and their families. They are spending long hours in site maintenance, product fulfillment and marketing. What's more they are loving every minute of it because for every hard hour worked they are finding great satisfaction in answering their own economic questions.

While others stand in long lines filling out applications that in some cases are being fought over by hundreds of other applicants these individuals are carving out their own way in an online environment. They are becoming their own boss and learning new skills that will allow them to care for their family over the long haul.

In the Great Depression men often had to travel great distances from their family in order to find work. The families they left behind were often evicted from their homes or worked especially hard to find their own way to raise money to keep a roof over their heads.

Those who figured out a way to pay their bills in these ‘worst of times' were the ones who came out the other side with fewer scars and a greater attitude toward the days to come.

You, too, can get past the days we are currently in, but it will take hard work and it will mean relying on yourself more than you may have ever had to do before, but the good news is you can do it and an online environment is a cost effective way to build a business that will allow you to confront and conquer expenses.