Consumers cut back on small pleasures

[RamboLiberal]

Source: USA Today

Jason Jepson works for a chi-chi yacht dealer in Newport Beach, Calif., but he's so worried about the economy he stopped buying $1.79 PowerBars at his gym.

Richmond, Va., legal secretary Angela Harris is passing up her beloved $3.46 Iced Mocha Latte at Starbucks.

William Muckelroy II, a research director from Eagle, Idaho, now carries a bottle of tap water instead of buying $1.29 bottles of Evian at Walgreens.

Such small luxuries seemed almost necessities in happier economic times. But no more for lots of folks, including those and other USA TODAY readers who described how they've changed their habits.




Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-02-26-consumers-cut-small-luxuries_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

---

Certainly true for me. I've cut out down on the mochas, rarely go to the movies, not renting dvds, not treating myself to steak or higher priced dinners out (around $15+), going to restaurants where I don't have to tip (i.e. Panera's), eating at home, not going out to lunch much, rarely buying magazines or books, not driving extra, etc.

[Hugin]

1. Helpful Money Saving Advice:

"Toothpicks are sharp on both ends! Don't use them only once."


From the article: "Such small luxuries seemed almost necessities" Evian? Starbuck's Mocha Latte? PowerBars?
Seems awfully LUXURIOUS to me even in good times. But, I'm a cheapskate, penny-pinching, %$#@%$# according
to several of my ex-Romantic Interests. :/

[tridim]

3. I buy plastic toothpicks

I get about 4 months out of ONE toothpick. Now that's value!

[CoffeeCat]

6. Ohhhhhh...fancy!

Do you buy the little, bright colored ones that look like swords?

Love those, but I often lose them in the dishwasher.

;)

[tridim]

9. The pack I bought about 5 years ago..

are light blue with a curved pick on one end and floss on the other. The floss can only be used a few times, but the pick end lasts almost forever.

[Yavin4]

80. They're Also Good for Cleaning Out Your Finger Nails

They have multiple uses.

[dysfunctional press]

38. i used to use a crisp $ bill in a pinch- the 'paper' is stiff, and they work well...BUT-

the LAST time i ever did it, or i should say ALMOST did it- i took the $5 bill out of my wallet- folded it on a crease where it already been folded, and started to draw it toward the food particle lodged between my molars...when i noticed the tinge of crimson on the edge of the bill(before it ever got near my mouth), i unfolded the bill, and from the stain that i hadn't noticed before, it was disgustingly apparent that someone else was using u.s. currency as a toothpick- and they had some nasty-ass bleeding gum problem.

that was the LAST time i EVER thought about using a crisp bill as an emergency toothpick.

and i spent that bad boy as quick as i could-no way it was going back in my wallet.

[Hugin]

39. Take note everyone!

Sound advice there, friend.

Lord only knows where that filthy lurcre has been!

[barb162]

21. I bought bottled water once when tap water wasn't available.

I just use tap water. And I stay away from Starbucks which I consider a huge ripoff.

[Hugin]

27. It's always good to have one of the old bottles to carry tap water in...

Re-use can trump Recycling.

Excellent money management advice barb162! :)

[barb162]

60. You're darned right!

And thank you.
:hi:

I try to re -use as much as possible. I read of one woman who hasn't bought aluminum foil in years. She kept re-using what she had. How she did it I don't know, but after I read about her I will reuse aluminum foil if it doesn't have too much gook on it. Sometimes I think using too much water cleaning something then causes you to waste fresh water.

[Merlot]

66. Just don't refill the plastic bottles

Apparently the plastic chemicals start degrading into the water when they're refilled.

[pinniped]

72. Some say DO NOT REFILL on the label, though I didn't pay attention.

You just can't print this (DO NOT REFILL) without further explanation.

I'll buy one glass bottle of Voss and use it.

[Lorien]

76. They do when they are filled the first time too

use a Sigg bottle and a Pur or Brita filter to avoid the contaminants and the costs: http://www.onlinefitness.com/productlist.cfm?m=361&gclid=CJuXpdeM6pECFUl2OAod6Ca3Sg

[xxqqqzme]

77. snopes says - FALSE

http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/petbottles.asp

Now the polycarbonate bottles do leach - got an email from Consumers Union about them a few days ago.

[Yavin4]

81. I Do That As Well

I bought a liter bottle about a month ago, and I refill it with tap water ever since.

[CatholicEdHead]

31. When I get bottled water I always refill it a few times afterwards

with tap water. When it becomes unhygienic after a few fills, I recycle the bottle.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

78. Get a SIGG bottle and refill it.

They are made in Switzerland and come in lots of cool colors and designs.

[Hydra]

2. Same here

I miss the small pleasures...like steak or fruit at home, or smoothies, home internet...

For being "a decedent nation," I'm not getting to be very hedonistic :evilgrin:

[tridim]

5. The one benefit of not being able to afford steak..

is finding alternative, low fat protein sources that are actually good for me. But I really do miss steak because it's so damn tasty.

[Hydra]

8. Part of it for me is that I don't like paying less for pesticide or hormone filled food

But in the end, I'm having to do both. I buy less food, and it's not as good for me. The usual problem with being poor.

[CoffeeCat]

11. Do you buy vegetarian food?

If you go to this Web site, you can get a $2 coupon for any Morningstar Farms product, at Super Target. You
end up getting their "chicken" patties, "chicken" nuggets and load of other vegetarian meat substitutes for
under $1. These are actually pretty tasty.

Go here: http://afullcup.com/upload/cmps_index.php?page=coupon_generator

Scroll down until you find the Morningstar Farms coupon to use at Target. You can print as many as you like.

You can combine Sunday newspaper coupons with these Target coupons. Target allows you to do this. I'm combining
these $2 Morningstar Farm coupons with the 75/1 coupon from the Sunday newspaper, and I've purchased 25 packages
of Morningstar Farms products for less than $6!! No joke.

Also, there is also a coupon for Target $1/1 veggies--such as fresh broccoli, cauliflower at that same site.
I was getting these for free last week, as well. Free fresh veggies, can't beat that!

I hope this helps!

[Hydra]

13. It would if target was closer than 40 miles :p

I do what I can- I live on sale items. I think the checkers get annoyed about that :evilgrin:

[RebelOne]

15. That site is great.

I just printed some Morningstar coupons. I always buy the sausage patties and the price has gone up within the past month by 30 cents.

[CoffeeCat]

18. I'm glad someone else knows about it...

Are you a couponer, or do you just visit the Full Cup site to get the Target coupons?

Target really has some great coupons!

I forgot that you can also use the Market Pantry Cheese coupon to get free string cheese singles.
I think that coupon is 50/2 and the singles are 25 cents.

I usually end up getting something we can use, for free at Target, almost every week.

With grocery prices so high, this site is a life saver, isn't it?

:)

[RebelOne]

28. I didn't know about it until you posted it.

I bookmarked it. I shop at Target all the time and those coupons are going to really come in handy.

[LostinVA]

44. Are they just for SuperTarget?

We just have a regular Target here, but they have a grocery section.

[CoffeeCat]

50. You can also use these at regular Target stores too...

I hope you can find the Morningstar Farms products, if that's what you're looking for!

[LostinVA]

52. The Target carries Morningstar here

Haruka eats their stuff constantly.

[CoffeeCat]

56. Go to it!

I hope you guys get some great deals!

Just a suggestion, when I find a great deal with the Target coupons, I usually go through the line
using up to 10 of the same Super Target coupon. If I want more, I'll check out, take my stuff to
the car and go through the line again.

Cashiers often make mistakes--or sometimes they'll question someone using 20 of the same Internet
coupon. I've found that keeping it at 10 of the same Target Internet coupons, keeps me hassle free.

Have fun!

[Muttocracy]

67. thank you! oddly Target is beating the local grocery stores

on prices for some items (we have a regular one, not a SuperTarget or whatever they're called). I get weary of shopping at multiple grocery stores to get cheapest things (and now with gas prices you have to weigh that too). Anyway, thanks, these may come in handy!

[yorkiemommie1]

69. Our Target beats our supermarket also

They are right next to each other so when Ralph's wanted to charge us $4.79 for 10 tortillas, we plunked them right back down, walked next door to Target and bought 10 bigger ones for $1.79. Not the same brand but they were just fine.

My strategy is to get all I can at the 99cent store ( Ajax dish det, Ivory soap, Colgate or other toothpaste, etc, ) THEN Target, THEN the regular market if I must.

[yorkiemommie1]

68. THANKS so much!!!

Since Target is on the next block, I always shop there!

Thanks!

[sepulveda]

40. ack

don't tell me the anti-meat fake science brigade has gotten to you.

to quote chris rock, it's not the red meat you need to worry about. it's the green meat!

[tridim]

49. Do you deny red meat is high in saturated fat?

[sepulveda]

51. actually, i was just being funny but...

it depends on the cut. some cuts are VERY low in saturated fat
USDA select eye of round, for example, has 1 gram per 3 ounce serving

that is definitely not high in saturated fat


i am REALLY into nutrition. i used to be a personal trainer, and have had to make weight for many strength contests (powerlifting and weightlifting) etc. so this is a big topic for me.

but again, depends on the cut. note also, that it's not just about the "bad" thing (e.g. sat fat) but the good things that are in red meat - creatine, stearic acid, zinc, etc.

and saturated fat in moderation will not hurt you.

red meat is not 'bad for you'. that's a simplistic way of looking at diet, which is holistic and not as simple as 'bad foods, good foods'

it's about combining everything - protein, EFA's, fiber, hydration, phyto's, etc. etc. into a healthy and performance increasing combination

red meat can be, and is a, a healthy part of that.

3 cheeseburgers a day, as a counterexample, is not

here a quote from obgyn.net

In fact, 68% of all muscle cuts sold at retail and 17 of the top 20 most popular whole muscle cuts meet government guidelines for lean.

The 19 lean cuts, beginning with the leanest, include: eye round roast, top round steak, mock tender steak, bottom round roast, top sirloin steak, round tip roast, 95% lean ground beef, brisket (flat half), shank crosscuts, chuck shoulder roast, arm pot roast, shoulder steak, top loin (strip or New York) steak, flank steak, ribeye steak, rib steak, tri-tip roast, tenderloin steak, and T-bone steak.

These 19 beef cuts meet government guidelines for lean with less than 10 grams of total fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving. Beyond lean beef's favorable fat profile, beef is nutrient-rich.

A one 3-ounce serving of beef is an excellent source of five essential nutrients: protein, zinc, vitamin B12, selenium and phosphorous, and a good source of four essential nutrients: niacin, vitamin B6, iron and riboflavin.

In addition, beef's fat profile is generally misunderstood. Half the fatty acids in a 3-ounce serving of lean beef are monounsaturated fatty acids - the same heart-healthy kind found in olive oil that research shows may have cholesterol-lowering abilities.

And, one third of the saturated fat in beef is a unique fatty acid called stearic acid, which has been found to have a neutral or cholesterol-lowering effect.

[tridim]

55. Thanks, that's good info

But who eats 3oz cuts? I think 8oz is the absolute minimum in most American meals, 10oz per meal is probably average.

I can't afford it at all, so it's not really an issue. I try to get my essential fatty acids from different sources like flaxseed/oil (which tastes like oil paint but in a good way) and beans.

[sepulveda]

61. i have a

high protein requirement because of lifting - often 200gms + a day.

so 6 ounces of lean red meat can really help me along

i also (when i can) try to get deer from my friend who is a hunter, and that's a very lean red meat. it's so lean, you CAN'T make burgers w/o adding fat.

i am a big fan of flax and fish oils. i read fats that heal, fats that kill by dr erasmus years ago and that was a big influence on my nutritional stuff

flax oil is actually pretty good if you mix it with an acid (like vinegar). believe it or not, it makes a decent oil for salads - if you go light.

i usually just dump a few teaspoons in a chocolate protein shake :)

btw, ever heard of linseed oil? that's rancid flax oil and man does flax get NASTY when it gets rancid!

cheers

[Manifestor_of_Light]

73. I only eat the good quality low fat cuts of meat.

I can't eat bubblegum roast. Or things that people say are cheap per pound, but by the time you get through deboning, or skinning or cutting out the non-meat parts, like cartilage and ligaments, it's a waste of time and energy.

[CoffeeCat]

4. We are cutting down on activities...

...with our children, and opting for more inexpensive weekend activities. Taking 2 kids to the
movies is about $50 now. We have more fun at home now.

I'm going batshit crazy in the grocery store. I don's shop with a list. I buy the loss leaders
at each store and I stockpile on sales. We eat what is cheapest. However, I belong to a coupon
club and I get multiple copies of the Sunday newspaper inserts, which often results in tons of
free and ultra-cheap food each week. I manage to keep our family-of-four grocery bill (all food, paper products,
shampoo, toothpaste, cat food, etc) at $60 per week--and we have an entire room full of stockpile.
I coupon like this--as a hobby--and I'm feeling the pinch at the grocery store. I can't imagine how others, who don't shop
in this way (most everyone!) are dealing with exorbitant grocery prices.

Also, there was an article in the NYTimes a few weeks ago. It featured stories about upper income
people who were giving up their $100 manicures, expensive haircuts, dog walkers and gourmet foods.
The article was written tongue-in-cheek--about the plight of people who were making $250k, but cutting
back on these luxuries. The article demonstrated though, that people at all socioeconomic levels
are scared right now.

People, across the board, are hunkering down and saving more.

[dipsydoodle]

41. I misread that

and thought it said "you were cutting down on anchovies" I couldn't bear to eat a pizza without anchovies....lol.

[Carni]

53. OMG! You can feed four on 60 bucks a week!

Not being a smart ass...that is totally remarkable that you can swing that!

Are you able to eat any fresh fruits and veggies within that budget?

Three years ago we had this fantastic fruit and vegetable place where we could load up on everything imaginable in the way of produce for about 20 bucks...now it's a major expense just to manage to keep onions garlic and tomatoes in stock.

[CoffeeCat]

58. Yes, we always have fresh fruits and veggies...

...in the house, but I also love the Green Giant frozen veggies--and I eat loads of
those.

I look at the 4 local grocery ads, and pick the two stores--based on which
store has the best prices on fresh fruits and veggies.

Also, do you ever use Super Target coupons? If you go to this site, you can print off as
many Super Target coupons as you want. This site is awesome. Right now, you can get FREE
fresh broccoli and cauliflower at Super Target by using the $1 any fresh broccoli or cauliflower.

Here is the site: http://afullcup.com/upload/cmps_index.php?page=coupon_generator

Peruse that site a bit. There is a Market Pantry Cheese coupon--50 cents off 2. You can
use this coupon to buy the Market Pantry string cheese singles...and you get them for FREE.

Also, there is a coupon for $2 off ANY Morningstar Farms product---awesome vegetarian products.
That coupon enables you to get so many things for under $1.

I get a lot of free and dirt-cheap produce with these Super Target coupons. As a personal
preference, I use only 10 of the same Super Target coupons in one order. In one order I'll
use different Super Target coupons--but never more than 10 of the same coupon. That keeps
me from getting hassled by the cashiers.

Hope that helps.

[Carni]

74. Thanks for the info!

I just registered at that site you linked and I have a food lion in my area so this will definitely come in handy.

Thanks again!

[InkAddict]

7. American Corps and Government ramp up abuse n/t

[mrcheerful]

10. I been cutting back since 2000.

Living on a fixed income and all. Lets see to pay for cable and the internet, I rarely go anyplace, unless you call going to doctors offices traveling. I eat 1 time a day, though to stop hunger pains my coffee intake is on the high side, 2 to 3 pots a day. I still wear clothes that I bought in the late 70's unless my SO finds something at the free store in my size. I drive a 30 year old van, I get by on $60 of gas a month for that, insurance for it is $90 a month. I manage to do most of the repairs on it myself and call around for deals on parts. I have never bought a thing at Starbucks, eating out is $1 sandwichs at McD's, I eat 3 of those and call it a daily meal. I haven't gone out to the movies since Flash Gordon came out, I wait until new movies come out on cable, so renting DVD's is not high on my list of wants. I rent a place where all the heat and electricity is paid, which has its draw backs as I have little or no say in whole moves in or out. Yet because I have cable and the internet the republicans claim I'm not poor,I be living off the fat of da land in fact.

[candice]

12. Tap water is equivalent and better for the environment...if everyone

...stopped buying water surrounded in plastic, the petroleum and energy used to produce it could be diverted into more critical use.

Having water shipped from Fiji to the U.S. What an environmental waste.

[RebelOne]

16. My tap water is gross. I bought a water-filter pitcher.

You get water just like that in plastic bottles.

[ReadTomPaine]

57. Regarding tap water - it really depends on where you live...

There are many places which supply tap water that's superior to the best bottled water you can buy. The problem is that it goes just as strongly in the other direction.

For example, I recall the water in Orlando to stink of sulfur and barely be sufficient for bathing, much less drinking. That stuff was just vile. Yet there are places in the northeast where the tap water is delicious - much better than flat tasting Evian, for instance.

California is another example- the water quality seems to vary every ten miles or so. It's a real dice roll.

[Chovexani]

83. The water in Phoenix is undrinkable

I have a Pur filter on my faucet to get rid of that crap.

I never drank bottled water until I moved out here. The tap in NYC is far superior.

[customerserviceguy]

87. The stuff here in Rockland County

tastes awful, I really miss my nice clean Pacific Northwest water. Come to think of it, I miss those Pacific Northwest craft beers, too!

[barb162]

22. Yes, yes, yes. n/t

[khaos]

25. be sure you have a decent filter

[RebelOne]

29. I do. I buy the filter made just for the pitcher.

I have two. A Britta and Puri

[khaos]

34. cool; i use..

http://www.berkeywater.com/BerkeyLight/BB_Purification_Elements.html

water in LA is deadly

[TommyO]

14. I've cut small things too

One of my favs at Starbucks was an iced Venti Americano, extra shot, sugar-free vanilla. I still get them, but only a few times a month instead of almost daily.

I still rent movies, but I get them a Redbox movie vending machine, they're all over the place by me and the rentals are only a dollar a night, plus tax You can return them to any Redbox, not just the one you rented from, I've rented at a location near me and returned it near my mom's house, almost 100 miles away. You can see if there are any near you at http://www.redbox.com.

I'm doing much more eating at home, and am picking up my first Angel Food Ministries order this Friday night. See the Frugal forum here for more information, or go to http://www.angelfoodministries.com for the scoop.

[liberal N proud]

17. We have cut back significantly

In the last 7 years we have cut back each time the prices of gas were raised.
In 1999, we took many weekend trips, I have not gone on a weekend trip for 3 years.
The family hasn't flown in more than 3 years.
At one time we ate out 2 or more time each week just because our schedule was tight, now, once ever two/three weeks.
We don't shop nearly as often as we once did, those pair of pants will do fine next year as well.
We used to do one major update project to our house each year (keeping it in shape for resale) Now, if isn't broke, don't touch it.
Same with the car, I have driven my current car further than any car I have owned and I don't see a new one in my future.
We have dropped all our magazine subscriptions.
My latest cut, breakfast at work, I used to wait until I got to work and get hot breakfast in the cafe, eat while I worked. Now I just get up earlier and fix toast with jelly.


That hurts all those people who were getting a piece of the paycheck, Now the oil companies see most of it.

[Stuckinthebush]

19. Most everyone I know has cut back

We have started to do the same. My daughter asked why we don't go out as much anymore and I told her that it was because the economy was in very bad shape and we need to save more money just in case...

She seemed to understand that.

Oh, well...it's a good practice to scrutinize ones' purchases I guess.

This too shall pass....I hope.

[onehandle]

20. Our weekly sushi night is a monthly event.

Cooking at home more than we ever have.

[TommyO]

23. Sushi used to be a several times a week event for me

That has definitely been scaled back, it's now two or three times a month for lunch when it's cheaper than for dinner.

[LiberalEsto]

24. We've become vegetarians

We decided that not only was meat too expensive, but also bad for us and terrible for the planet.

[RebelOne]

30. I'm a vegetarian and I sure save a bundle

not having to buy meat. Even then, I spend about $75 to $100 a week for me and my 2 dogs.

[hughee99]

26. Or another way to spin it... Consumers increasingly refused to get F'd

by corporations for overpriced products that they don't really need or want.

[yorkiemommie1]

70. my feeling too

i don't buy anything unless it's hugely discounted.

[postulater]

32. I still like my coca mocha locha frappucino latte grande

but now I just get a small decaff.

[redqueen]

33. It's so weird... reading about the things people spend money on...

I grew up poor and have always been frugal. These always seemed like just common sense to me.

[Nay]

62. It is funny, isn't it, RQ? I also grew up poor, and even tho I am

no longer poor(we're in the top 10% of earners they're always talking about), I am still cheap and so is Mr. Nay. We owe nothing except 5 more years of mortgage payments. I have a 13-yr-old car. I don't shop for recreation. We have $$ in savings, thrift plans. If we need something, we save for it, and we always have, even when we weren't well off. When I see people sashaying into work with $300 purses, $1000 suits, etc., I just shake my head. These people are ten minutes away from being on the street. They should have been putting that money away for important things.

Another thing that being poor did for us -- if we somehow lost everything, we could walk away and not look back.And start all over again.

[ReadTomPaine]

35. Guess how many cars on the market for 2008 have a base price of over $75,000?

A dozen? Two dozen? Three dozen? Not even close.

There are currently at least 45 distinct models of cars that start with a base price of 75K. There's even a Chevy that weighs in at $100,000. I guess it's not just hot dogs, baseball and apple pie that are more expensive these days.

So not everyone is cutting back apparently. While the rest of the country clips coupons and does without, ranging from the occasional cup of coffee in the morning to food for dinner at night, others are buying Ferraris with tax cuts financed on your back, executive compensation looted from your pension and raises awarded for laying you off.

Less for you = more for them.

[Hugin]

37. On the bright side, soon those predators will only be preying on each other...

Hierarchies have their advantages.

[ReadTomPaine]

63. The predation is pretty high up the pole already...

Using the above automotive example, think about the money that simply evaporates in depreciation when the new owner of that 75K car drives it off the lot. With a few notable exceptions, the cash loss on cars of this class is staggering from an investment point of view, particularly over the long term.

Even the collectible car market has been effected - ballooning yet again with an economic bubble more grossly distorted than the last one, which collapsed in the late 80's early 90's. The prices people are paying for some fairly mundane cars from the 60's and even the 70's is staggering.

In both instances, these people are being taken advantage of, pure and simple. The problem is that the money being suckered from them is yours. Easy come, easy go. It doesn't hurt much to lose others people's money, after all. Some folks do it all day long.

[superkia]

46. And its only going to get worse, anyone that believes otherwise...

should do some research. This has been going on for a long time, the elite are going to eventually drain everyones pockets until we are all low income or poverty, its about control. So if the middle class is starting to get pinched now, it only means that those of us already struggling are also getting pinched more. They cant just impact one class at a time, its done slowly over time all through inflation and stagnant pay.

Some people think Alex Jones is wacko but some of his documentaries have some useful info in them. One is titled, ENDGAME: Blueprint for global enslavement. I think the title alone explains what it is about.


I am happy I grew up dirt poor and can deal with just the necessities and sometime less, I worry about how the middle class, SUV driving, big house, every year vacationing, "aww you have to pull yourself up by the bootstrap" people are going to handle it. The U.N is predicting food riots around the world, its going to be a tough ride. I fear the violence and theft that is going to rise when it does come crashing down and the idea of martial law.

[ReadTomPaine]

48. The tipping point you describe is when those SUVs start to become low income housing.

Line them up and move on in. Rent = parking fee. Ironically, some of them cost as much as homes did when I was growing up anyway.

I don't think this situation is unavoidable, but I agree that our current economic and social trajectory isn't a random one - it has been guided in this direction. Diverting from our current course isn't going to be as simple as turning left instead of right, it's going to involve a struggle for control of the wheel.

[superkia]

75. The positive side to it, is as more people get hit, more people...

will pay attention and possibly get involved.

[The Backlash Cometh]

36. Ahhhhh! America will be defeated. We're being attacked by the

practical shopper!!!

[guitar man]

42. I've cut

Cable TV, Internet, cancelled all my magazine subscriptions....shit, I can't count everything I've cut from our budget and we're still struggling under the price of gas, increased utility and grocery prices...hell, everything has gone up except my pay, which went down :(

[coalition_unwilling]

45. Are you ready to consider nationalizing core industries and sectors, like

energy and health? It's way past time, imho. But it will take another FDR moment for it to happen. Even then it's a long shot. Still, I have hopes that President Obama will generate another 'FDR moment'.

Just saying "President Obama" is music to my ears.

[guitar man]

47. I'd say it's past time

If the wealthy owners of everything who employ people are so loathed to raise wages and salaries of working people to some king of living wage level, then the alternative is to reduce the costs of the things we have to pay for to fit those wages and salaries. Nationalizing is probably the best answer to meet those ends.

[dysfunctional press]

43. we're actually going the other way...

we sold our chicago two-flat last fall, after buying a less-expensive but more spacious(land-wise) place in an outlying suburb...
my wife left her job, with it's hour-and-a-half commute each way in november, temped a bit thru the holidays, and now has a better-paying permanent position with a growing company 15 minutes from home.
we got a beautiful black lab, bought a new big-big screen plasma, and a huge hot tub, a new bedroom set, and we're building a new 3-car garage, so that we can turn the current 2-car garage into a kick-ass woodshop- which means buying a bunch of new tools as well. and we're planning a driving trip to quebec this summer so my wife can run in the marathon there.

we're finally getting a chance to live the dink lifestyle that has been eluding us for so long-
even though my share is just a dinky disability check, we made enough money on the sale of the house to carry us pretty far.

[zanne]

54. No more Saturday night pizza...

If we want pizza, we have to make it with what we have. Yuck.

[BluePatriot]

59. 86.5 hours of work = $1056.81 net

I'm sure there must be some here looking at that figure in horror. It goes further in the South. But it's still not enough.

Sigh. Back to the grindstone. I want to break $1100 once with my damn OT and Saturday mornings.

However - I feel pretty secure in my job. No one is sucker enough to do it and there's a shortage of experienced people. Plus I get full bennies - no premiums for insurance out of my check. And my field won't suffer in a recession (exports)

[conflictgirl]

64. How many weeks is that for?

Hell, even if it were for two weeks instead of one, I'd still take it. Up here in Michigan I've been looking for any full-time job in any field since August.

What's the job? And is your company hiring? :P

[BluePatriot]

65. 2 Weeks

LOL 86 hrs in one week...hey I've heard of that workload with lawyers, docs, etc *shudder*

Actually we are hiring. We have a lot of burnout. The air/ocean export industry is very deadline oriented and very high stress.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

71. Less is more...

I took a job closer to home, and love it...as does my gas tank. We tend to not buy things unless they're on sale, and I buy a lot of kids clothes on consignment. And I gave up my Starbucks habit, which has saved a bundle. We're slowly climbing out of debt right now. We've learned that it's not worth killing yourself financially for the thrill of having something new all the time. Life isn't about things - it's about people.

I got rid of a lot of stuff I didn't need. Some of it was sold on eBay, but a lot of it was donated to charity, too. I'm a big believer in that old William Morris quote (which I have scrawled on a piece of paper in my wallet): “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." That amounts to a handful of music memorabilia, household necessities, clothing, and most importantly, things that have to do with my family, like photos and videos and a few momentos.

We actually did splurge on a new flat-screen TV and new computer, but the old ones were dying on us, and were 10 and 9 years old, respectively. We got plenty of use out of them.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

79. I just came from my neighborhood library

where I found lots of the books I had been intending to buy and a smaller number, but still a significant amount, of the DVDs I had been intending to rent.

Those are some significant savings right there.

[Yavin4]

82. I Live With Roommates

That's the ultimate in cutting back.

[Chovexani]

84. I've cut out my movie going

I'm a big movie fan and used to go at least 3-4 times a month. I've cut that out entirely, just can't afford it with food so high. Instead, I invested in my home setup--got myself a gorgeous 42" LCD on sale (with free Blu Ray player), am piecing together a cheap high quality speaker system and got a NetFlix subscription. I did the math and even with that outlay, I'm saving far more money--and getting a better experience (no dealing with screaming kids, can fix my own cheap snacks from my own fridge, etc). I don't buy games full price anymore unless it's something I pre-ordered in advance to get freebies. My membership card at Gamestop means I get the buy one get one free offers and cheap ass used games. Then when I'm done with them, I do trade-ins at our local used book & media store and use the trade credit to get more books, movies, and games.

That is all the entertainment I need, really--and at far less cost.

[katty]

85. vegetarian,,brown rice, beans, veges-pretty cheap eating

[tedoll78]

86. Yup. I'm cutting back as well.

- No more coffee from Starbucks et al. - I'll make my own at home.
- Limiting my eating in restaurants to $25/month.
- No new video games for a while (I have enough of a backlog as things stand anyway)
- No video rentals
- No nights at the movies, unless I get free tickets from work
- I'm planting a larger veggie garden in the back yard; my main crop - lima beans - will be twice the size of last year's.
- Brown bagging lunch.. leftovers!
- Gave up cake, candy, cookies, and cola for Lent.. it's been difficult, but I have to admit.. the grocery bill has been lighter. :P