Whats in Your Wallet?

Its getting rough. Yet, the government is eating well! Not only well, but much better than most of the USA!

Why are we paying for their meals? Supreme Court Justices are eating $15 salads for lunch and say they're roughing it; whereas, I'm lucky if I find something for around $5 or brown bag it.

Local lumbar company is closing b/c housing market slump. Over 160 people have already or will lose their jobs.

My step-dad has not been paid for over 6 weeks and parents living on savings. They may apply for SS soon and work part time jobs. (Yet, he has heart condition)

So very worried -- people are living on credit cards. Wal-Mart was virtually empty last night.

Neighbors are selling home (divorce) thousands less than new homes in neighborhood of comparible size.

Food, gas, utilities, etc. -- you all know its going up.

Companies are laying off, hospitals are understaffed with nurses, store closings (i.e., Goody's, Exxon, etc.), gosh!

Wish I'd chosen a medical field, which is very promising these days!

Neighbor mentioned today that find working is tough. Her sister is one the employees who lost job at lumbar company. Says that those who have a job, best to keep it and not complain!

What are ya'll experiencing in your local? Do you see any positive improvement or forecast?

I am concerned, too, Mustang. I think about retiring, and then, as much as my job just isn't doing it for me and as much as my love needs me at home, I am not sure that we can afford it right now.

But, in all fairness....I've been in DC and a $15 salad probably isn't very much. I can get away with a cheap lunch - a school lunch can be purchased for 3.50 - but most cannot. I have to think that most of these DC people are doing working lunches and brown bagging it most days won't cut it.

The housing market has hurt so many. Around here, it is beginning to rally a bit, but only on older homes. We have built up the new housing and condo and townhouse phenomenon to adnauseum. The area has built up far beyond capacity.

Your step dad has not worked? I am sorry your family has been directly affected by this slump.

I wonder what it will take to change our forecast? I do know that everything is cyclical, and that it will come around. But, just how will it affect each of us and all of our loved ones?

I wonder what each of us could do to affect a change in the current events?

The rising gas prices have led to higher ridership on
our public transportation. More people are carpooling to
work.
People are thinking twice about retiring.

I surely do not know the answer but believe all of this is a great wake up call to Americans to simplify their lives. I know I have. And to be quite honest, the more simple I make my life, the better I like it.

However, we still have needs such as groceries, banking, etc...and we have evolved to this. In other words, we still have to go to town (buy gas), some still have to travel where the work may be, and downsizing for some is not an option for one reason or another.

Are we in a recession? Heck, we've been in one!

Have we seen the fallout from all of this? Not even the tip of the iceberg. Unemployment breeds more poverty and with that comes higher crime. Let's just hope it doesn't come down to people stealing to eat.

I hate to sound like the voice of gloom and doom, but are we going to replace the "re" with a de?"

Here are some happier thoughts. More and more people are starting to grow their own food and this is a good thing. Maybe we should start a list of things we can do to offset some of the rising cost? It's a supply and demand thing. Anybody else want to join in? If so copy and paste this and add your own...wanna?

1) Grown your own food, or some of it
2) Carpool (an obvious one)
3) Open your windows and shut off the air cond. when you can and this will help to lower your utility bill.

next?

1) Grown your own food, or some of it
2) Carpool (an obvious one)
3) Open your windows and shut off the air cond. when you can and this will help to lower your utility bill.
4) Walk whenever possible to pick up groceries and other small errands (This is one I will commit to)
5) Wear my clothes more than once before washing
6) Keep those phones, toothbrushes, etc. unplugged unless they need charging.

next?

1) Grown your own food, or some of it
2) Carpool (an obvious one)
3) Open your windows and shut off the air cond. when you can and this will help to lower your utility bill.
4) Walk whenever possible to pick up groceries and other small errands (This is one I will commit to)
5) Wear my clothes more than once before washing
6) Keep those phones, toothbrushes, etc. unplugged unless they need charging.
7) Use more coupons and pay more attention to sales
8) Buy in bulk at places like Sam's Club or Costco and do so with a Buddy...share the expense of the bill, and split the goodies.
9) Also make a garden with a buddy, that way, you don't have to do ALL of the work...you could rotate
10) Gulp...cut off cell phones

Interesting..interesting. We aren´t feeling it yet..the way you are..but it is creeping up on us with high gas prices..they have always been much higher than the US due to heavy taxation..and yesterday, when we ordered in pizza..the delivery guy apologized for yet another increase in prices..because the ingredients cost much more than they did before..and they don´t know were it will stop...

Don´t like the signs, ladies..but do like the suggestions of how to do it more simply. I think we are pretty sinple here in some ways ..but there is always need for more..hmmm...

I've started a practice of spending cash VS quick drawing out the debit or credit card for quickie trips in the store & most pruchases under $20 -50. Believe it or not it can make you think a bit more before buying the little not necessary last minute extras that add up so fast.

I soooooo get you, Qball. I also make sure that I stick to my list when I shop for food and sundry so none go to waste. I also work on previous receipts and calculate how much cash I'd need to shop with. Costs do pile up when one flashes a card.

People are really hurting in Arizona! There are people drilling holes in gas tanks on cars. There are people losing their homes right and left or selling them for ridiclas prices. I am watching one friend who owns two homes loose them both!

In Tucson, an area of about a million plus, we are a resort town with no real commerce. This is a city of world class resorts and golf courses.

There is a cut back in the amount of money that those who would come here and enjoy such things, /AND, it's 111 degrees, so many here who live of tourists are getting hurt very badly. The housing market here is a major problem.

Crime is up, street crime and the sort of personal crime where people are mugged for money.

I and my husband can and are, well, semi retired. We have had enough money, thank God, to live on from our previous careers so we do not have to rely on a job. If we did, Tucson would have booted us out as it is others.

The University of Arizona here is still strong and will stay so. It will employ, as usual, those that it employs.
But...
Yes, it so sad to see the people who relied on that paycheck month to month go under and loose their homes!

Good topic!

Dancer

1) Grown your own food, or some of it
2) Carpool (an obvious one)
3) Open your windows and shut off the air cond. when you can and this will help to lower your utility bill.
4) Walk whenever possible to pick up groceries and other small errands (This is one I will commit to)
5) Wear my clothes more than once before washing
6) Keep those phones, toothbrushes, etc. unplugged unless they need charging.
7) Use more coupons and pay more attention to sales
8) Buy in bulk at places like Sam's Club or Costco and do so with a Buddy...share the expense of the bill, and split the goodies.
9) Also make a garden with a buddy, that way, you don't have to do ALL of the work...you could rotate
10) Gulp...cut off cell phones
11) Buy clothes and toys for the grandchildren over Ebay or flee markets.
12) Use the library more, instead of buying books
13) Concentrate on recreation near you, instead of miles away.
14) Dry clothes outside, instead of the drier.

1) Grown your own food, or some of it
2) Carpool (an obvious one)
3) Open your windows and shut off the air cond. when you can and this will help to lower your utility bill.
4) Walk whenever possible to pick up groceries and other small errands (This is one I will commit to)
5) Wear my clothes more than once before washing
6) Keep those phones, toothbrushes, etc. unplugged unless they need charging.
7) Use more coupons and pay more attention to sales
8) Buy in bulk at places like Sam's Club or Costco and do so with a Buddy...share the expense of the bill, and split the goodies.
9) Also make a garden with a buddy, that way, you don't have to do ALL of the work...you could rotate
10) Gulp...cut off cell phones
11) Buy clothes and toys for the grandchildren over Ebay or flee markets.
12) Use the library more, instead of buying books
13) Concentrate on recreation near you, instead of miles away.
14) Dry clothes outside, instead of the drier.
15) Embrace your LOCAL community for anything possible.
16) Make cards and thoughtful gifts (be creative).

Work out for yourself
what are wants and what are needs.
Mountain ash

1) Grown your own food, or some of it
2) Carpool (an obvious one)
3) Open your windows and shut off the air cond. when you can and this will help to lower your utility bill.
4) Walk whenever possible to pick up groceries and other small errands (This is one I will commit to)
5) Wear my clothes more than once before washing
6) Keep those phones, toothbrushes, etc. unplugged unless they need charging.
7) Use more coupons and pay more attention to sales
8) Buy in bulk at places like Sam's Club or Costco and do so with a Buddy...share the expense of the bill, and split the goodies.
9) Also make a garden with a buddy, that way, you don't have to do ALL of the work...you could rotate
10) Gulp...cut off cell phones
11) Buy clothes and toys for the grandchildren over Ebay or flee markets.
12) Use the library more, instead of buying books
13) Concentrate on recreation near you, instead of miles away.
14) Dry clothes outside, instead of the drier.
15) Embrace your LOCAL community for anything possible.
16) Make cards and thoughtful gifts (be creative).
17) Work out for yourself
18) What are wants and what are needs
19) Use home remedies instead of buying expensive cleaners. (I use 1/2 baking soda and 1 cup vinegar to unclog drains)
20) Pull out old jigsaw puzzles for entertainment

MA, great thought. I often remind my kids that they WANT something, they don't NEED it.

JJ, thanks for the puzzle reminder. My daughter loves doing them. It's time to get on eo nthe kitchen table, or the ping pong table which doesn't get used any more.

It keeps getting reported that many here in the UK are tossing out food.Buying stuff and it goes out of date.One programme had a food economist call at a couples home and show them how to avoid this.
Also careful shopping.Not buying from the one supermarket.We have German (EW you will know them Lidl and Aldi) where food is cheaper.To begin with people were wary but many have swung to these discount supermarkets.
I tend to buy the best quality I can,,wherever I judge it to be.In season locally we have veg and fruit.Soon my own tomatoes apples and plums.Redcurants blackcurrants.
Potatoes grown at a neighbours far,Leeks and carrots.
As a young wife I never wasted food.Now I admit to having done so a few times..and felt bad about this.On reflection I think it was bad planning believing the family wanted choice and trying to be "a good provider" .this is since they were adults.I strive to waste no more...Cant say I did it to extremes but I did go off the rails...
Mountain ash

MA, I get a few things from Lidl and Aldi, too. I have always done so since they opened in London. I love their biscuits, tinned sardines and juices. I buy most of these from them. What I don't understand is how it was once thought so downmarket here. Most of its goods are those found in supermarkets in the continent, with continental prices at that. One of the girls at my firm scowled at Lidl and Aldi until she travelled to the continent and found the same items I told her about. Well, I guess, some people are just funny.

The Aldi's here in our area require you put a quarter in for a cart, other than that I like the tores and find great buys there. But, I'm always lurking around the parking lot to purchase a cart before it goes back into the dreaded slot machine. Then I am either back out peddling my cart for my quarter back or loose my quarter cause I can't return the carts any better than I get them out. To me that's not the least bit embarrassing, I actually find it to be quite amusing in an hysterical way... More so when I recieve a quarter and a pitiful look.
Another way to save a bit it look for items with a bonus IE: Larger amount for same price or hermetically sealed sample or travel size product attached. As well as watch sale flyers for items used that you also have a coupon for. TIP: If you like a product and go online to company website, brag on their product I've found that about 75% of the time you get a coupon or free sample in the mail later on. Same hold true when dissatisfied Voice it and they usually refund in some fashion. I e-mailed Jimmy Dean a bit back and asked about the expireation dates, were they sell by or use by: To be safe they told me to not use the product and sent me 2 coupons for FREE of the same as I had let get to the due date. WHAT? I almost felt guilty.

Oh I am one of those consumers that your product better do/taste/perform like you promote it or you WILL get a call/letter/email from MOI. Oh yeah, sure do. And I also am that consumer who calls you and says, "I just wanted you to know you are my new best friend. I LOVE your _____." Fill in the blank.

I get coupons all the time for the pros and cons comments and believe it to be my right as a consumer to do so/get so! LOL!

It's the only way they will make a better product or know that the one they have WORKS!

I carry an envelope in my purse with my coupons in there. When I get new ones, I add them to the envelope. Every once in a while, I go through the envelope and throw away ones that have expired, or that I want to give to someone else. What I don't like are manufacturers who put 50 cents off if you buy six of ____ You fill in the blank. This usually means you have to spend six bucks to get 50 cents off of a product you only use occasionally. That burns me up. Bargain? HA! Some bargain...

I miss coupons. It has not caught up as well here as there. However, my daughter and I always go for the BOGOF...buy one get one free. I've also started buying generic brands especially medicines. Future DIL, daughter and son have all said that these are comparable to brand names. The only difference is just that. Brand. And the mark up in price is quite stark. A bottle of store paracetamol would fetch £0.99...a brand name of same quantity would be over £2.50

My youngest son use to be in the biz...he told me that MANY store-brand items were the identical BRAND name items, they just change the label and dropped the price. Also, same with generics. So from that moment on, I bought the cheaper priced ones. PERIOD.

I didn't know Aldi and Lidl are international. We have both of those stores in our town, among 5 other grocery stores. It's the joke of the town , because only 7000 residents live here. Do they know something we don't? Well, NY started off as a village too.

We use our freezer alot, and save on bargains by buying bulk and freezing. Although the electricy isn't a bargain anymore either.

Things are booming around here, just like they did in the 70s and 80s when 'oil' was a problem. After the big problems in the 80s, Houston diversified, having mainly been a port and oil industry area. Now, they have finance, tech, fashion, better tourism, medical (a major draw), sports, and still oil and the port. My SNL and I were just talking about this night before last. We both concurred, it all puts a bigger target on the area - for terrorist action, that is.

We've been living on a shoestring for so long, we pretty much have it down to a science. What's in my wallet - books of stamps, one credit card, my library card, my address book, my check book (which I never use), and some small bills.
Speaking of cash, another thing my SNL mentioned to me --- he said he and his friends are carrying more cash these days. He's also made sure his and his families' (our oldest daughter and their four children) passports are current. He intends to fly this joint if things get too bad (in his eyes) for the six of them. I'm glad he told me, because I'll be right behind them... pulling our other daughter and her family with us.

Cobwebs and moths!!!!

Quote:

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Speaking of cash, another thing my SNL mentioned to me --- he said he and his friends are carrying more cash these days. He's also made sure his and his families' (our oldest daughter and their four children) passports are current. He intends to fly this joint if things get too bad (in his eyes) for the six of them. I'm glad he told me, because I'll be right behind them... pulling our other daughter and her family with us.

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Where would you go to live outside of the U.S. if things got bad?

Actually I've avoided using debit card. Paying some small weekly things with cash, forces very much to pay attention to spending real money.