re: The Economy - a question

[merrijoy]

Regarding the economy and seeing how expensive everything is getting (ie Gas, Groceries, etc, etc.), have you made any lifestyle changes? Do you have any good hints to help others?
Or, are you staying status quo and waiting it out to see what happens?

 

[erica k]

We used to drive up to Maine once a month during the summer for fun, but I don''t think we''ll do many roadtrips this summer. Also, a friend is getting married in Rhode Island, and I''m reluctant to drive down repeatedly to help her prepare for her potluck reception. It''s two hours each way, and although my car gets decent mileage (23 mpg highway), the stop and go traffic really takes a toll.

In terms of food, this summer I decided to plant a few herbs, tomatoes, and red bell peppers (container gardening on the deck) to cut down on salad costs. Salmon is pretty much out, not only because the scarcity drives up costs, but also because they''re over-fished/farmed. I don''t think we''ll eat out as often since it''s pleasant enough to have a plate of pasta on the deck.

We had hoped to go to Paris on holiday (we''ve never been) since we haven''t had a proper vacation in years. Instead, we''re going to fly to Oregon to see my husband''s family for a week. I''m not exactly looking forward to this, but it''s been over two years since I last saw them.

In general, I''m happy with most of my lifestyle changes. It has helped me evaluate my priorities. I would rather spend money on fewer things, walk/bike more, cook rather than eat out, and read instead of going to bars or the movies.

And yes, it''s 100 degrees and disgusting, but no, I don''t have air conditioning. I turn a small fan on in the morning, keep the blinds down, and hope that my utilities bill won''t go up too much. That said, I''m really nervous about the winter. I can stand the cold, in general, but at a certain point the condo needs to be heated. Our building uses oil, so last winter was bad enough.

 

[Libster]

Everything just continues to go up and up and up and at some point I think we all feel the pinch and start to conserve somewhere.

I don't have specific useful hints, but wanted to share a section of Clark Howard's website. Clark is a local person in Atlanta, GA and always has tips on saving money for anything and everything. He is quite a character and loves nothing more than getting a good deal

Here is a link to a section on his website named "The Free and Cheap List"
http://clarkhoward.com/topics/free_and_cheap.html

 

[mom2twogirls]

I haven''t been driving my Lexus SUV as much. We have an older Honda Accord that we never got rid of when I bought my Lexus, so I''ve been driving that more and more as the price of premium gas continues to climb ....

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My husband is changing jobs, so even if the economy wasn''t so dire, I''d be doing the same things. Mostly cutting coupons, buying food on sale (and picking up many products at Target and Trader Joe''s). Buying clothes ONLY when they''re on sale. I found an adorable pair of sandals at the Nordies sale for $89 that normally I would have snatched right up, but instead I pouted and put them down and am hoping they show up at the rack sometime soon.

The biggie is that my husband is selling his truck! Yesterday we were talking about sharing a car and using public transportation for him to go to work, but then we realized that it won''t work because a 20 minute commute would turn into a 1+ hour ride with two transfers.

One of my other ways to save on power and make clothes last longer, is by hanging/flat drying them all.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

We cut back on travel plans--we''d planned to go to Italy this year, but it''s sort of been put on the back burner. DH decided to quit his job and figure out what he wants to do, so that also impacts our plans since we are living on my income. Our day-to-day life is the same, but we''re being a bit less aggressive with investments and cutting back on travel (or at least taking vacations within the U.S. instead of Europe).

 

[sumbride]

We have definitely cut back. DH and I pretend to only have one car because his is a turbo and requires 93 octane, so he drives my 87-drinking Camry most of the time and drops me off at the train. I''ve always taken public transit to work, but I used to drive myself to the train station. We figured out that it''s easier not to now, most of the time.

We also used to take long weekend drives. That went out the window last year. I miss it, but I also am enjoying staying close to home. We don''t go to movies, we don''t go out to eat remotely as often, we aren''t traveling much at all this year, we''ve really cut down to the basics. And I LIKE it.

Like Erika said, it''s really helping me define my priorities and I''m realizing that I''m much happier with less. I don''t miss shopping. Now I go to yoga class on Saturdays, and at $10 a class, it''s a lot cheaper than a trip to a mall. I''m inviting friends over to my house for lunch rather than meeting them for brunch. We shop at the farmers market and are eating a lot less meat and a lot more whole grains, which we buy at Trader Joe''s. I feel healthier and we are saving a lot of money that way.

I think that it''s good for us to go through these hard times because we are realizing what is really important in life. It''s not anything we can buy that matters. It''s us, being together, living a good life together, and thinking only about the basics... food, shelter, and minimum transportation. It''s enough, really.

 

[merrijoy]

Date: 6/10/2008 11:51:05 AM
Author: sumbride
We have definitely cut back. DH and I pretend to only have one car because his is a turbo and requires 93 octane, so he drives my 87-drinking Camry most of the time and drops me off at the train. I''ve always taken public transit to work, but I used to drive myself to the train station. We figured out that it''s easier not to now, most of the time.

We also used to take long weekend drives. That went out the window last year. I miss it, but I also am enjoying staying close to home. We don''t go to movies, we don''t go out to eat remotely as often, we aren''t traveling much at all this year, we''ve really cut down to the basics. And I LIKE it.

Like Erika said, it''s really helping me define my priorities and I''m realizing that I''m much happier with less. I don''t miss shopping. Now I go to yoga class on Saturdays, and at $10 a class, it''s a lot cheaper than a trip to a mall. I''m inviting friends over to my house for lunch rather than meeting them for brunch. We shop at the farmers market and are eating a lot less meat and a lot more whole grains, which we buy at Trader Joe''s. I feel healthier and we are saving a lot of money that way.

I think that it''s good for us to go through these hard times because we are realizing what is really important in life. It''s not anything we can buy that matters. It''s us, being together, living a good life together, and thinking only about the basics... food, shelter, and minimum transportation. It''s enough, really.

Sumbride,

Thank you. I love this post.

 

[VegasAngel]

I know we are definitely seeing the pinch. We have pretty much dropped eating out. I signed up on a lot of sites of products I use so that I can get coupons. We me not working (yet) we are saving money on gas but I hate to think how much it is going to cost us to fill up my SUV. If we had good public transportation I would use it but there is no way I''m going to commute 2 hours by bus to & from the strip.

I have not been buying clothes or getting my hair done. Salon visits are absurd as it is so I''ve been holding off as long as possible.

Yesterday I went to pick up some vegetables & wound up spending $50 for barely anything.

Everything is just getting crazy.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 6/10/2008 12:19:05 PM
Author: VegasAngel
I know we are definitely seeing the pinch. We have pretty much dropped eating out. I signed up on a lot of sites of products I use so that I can get coupons. We me not working (yet) we are saving money on gas but I hate to think how much it is going to cost us to fill up my SUV. If we had good public transportation I would use it but there is no way I''m going to commute 2 hours by bus to & from the strip.

I have not been buying clothes or getting my hair done. Salon visits are absurd as it is so I''ve been holding off as long as possible.

Same with me regarding hair. Last month I dyed my own hair and two boxes of dye only were $14 as opposed to paying $100 at the salon. Plus, the color turned out better. It''s annoying when I ask for a shade of brown and my hair turns black, instead.

We quit eating out a few months back mostly because of all the chemicals & junk in resturant food. Now, if my husband and I want to go out, we just get drinks (lol!) and then go to a movie (where we sneak in our own water).

 

[VegasAngel]

Date: 6/10/2008 1:15:50 PM
Author: MC

Date: 6/10/2008 12:19:05 PM
Author: VegasAngel
I know we are definitely seeing the pinch. We have pretty much dropped eating out. I signed up on a lot of sites of products I use so that I can get coupons. We me not working (yet) we are saving money on gas but I hate to think how much it is going to cost us to fill up my SUV. If we had good public transportation I would use it but there is no way I''m going to commute 2 hours by bus to & from the strip.

I have not been buying clothes or getting my hair done. Salon visits are absurd as it is so I''ve been holding off as long as possible.

Same with me regarding hair. Last month I dyed my own hair and two boxes of dye only were $14 as opposed to paying $100 at the salon. Plus, the color turned out better. It''s annoying when I ask for a shade of brown and my hair turns black, instead.

We quit eating out a few months back mostly because of all the chemicals & junk in resturant food. Now, if my husband and I want to go out, we just get drinks (lol!) and then go to a movie (where we sneak in our own water).

I finally have the chocolate brown color I have been trying to get forever. I went back to a stylist I strayed from & she gave me the exact color I wanted. Every time before seeing her it came out too dark/hard looking. I totally would do my own color (I used to when I had blonde hair) but after a color disaster of my doing I''m too chicken to try again.

You know what else helps me to not eat out besides money? Reading the restaurant reviews & grades in the paper each Wednesday. Grooooss

 

[oobiecoo]

Mr. Oobiecoo and I tried to implement a couple of "rules" but the one that works the best for us is $5 meals. We try to spend no more than $5 per meal between the 2 of us... so thats only $10 per day(includes lunch and dinner). It''s actually much easier than I ever thought it would be and we have well-balanced meals. Sometimes it goes a bit over $5 but thats ok as long as its close. We used to go out to eat ALOT and we decided something had to change. We go now maybe once or twice a week as opposed to 5-7 times for lunch and dinner.

 

[spike13]

Date: 6/10/2008 1:15:50 PM
Author: MC
Same with me regarding hair. Last month I dyed my own hair and two boxes of dye only were $14 as opposed to paying $100 at the salon. Plus, the color turned out better. It's annoying when I ask for a shade of brown and my hair turns black, instead.

I'm about to make this switch as well. What is it with hair stylists that don't know the difference between BROWN and BLACK? Yet these same people can do a million shades of blonde?! Brunettes are solely neglected in the hair industry.

ETA: Oh right - the topic it's late and I forgot. So the point is I too am considering this switch. At least if I mess it up it only cost $10.

 

[brgirl]

Date: 6/10/2008 11:56:48 AM
Author: merrijoy

Date: 6/10/2008 11:51:05 AM
Author: sumbride
We have definitely cut back. DH and I pretend to only have one car because his is a turbo and requires 93 octane, so he drives my 87-drinking Camry most of the time and drops me off at the train. I''ve always taken public transit to work, but I used to drive myself to the train station. We figured out that it''s easier not to now, most of the time.

We also used to take long weekend drives. That went out the window last year. I miss it, but I also am enjoying staying close to home. We don''t go to movies, we don''t go out to eat remotely as often, we aren''t traveling much at all this year, we''ve really cut down to the basics. And I LIKE it.

Like Erika said, it''s really helping me define my priorities and I''m realizing that I''m much happier with less. I don''t miss shopping. Now I go to yoga class on Saturdays, and at $10 a class, it''s a lot cheaper than a trip to a mall. I''m inviting friends over to my house for lunch rather than meeting them for brunch. We shop at the farmers market and are eating a lot less meat and a lot more whole grains, which we buy at Trader Joe''s. I feel healthier and we are saving a lot of money that way.

I think that it''s good for us to go through these hard times because we are realizing what is really important in life. It''s not anything we can buy that matters. It''s us, being together, living a good life together, and thinking only about the basics... food, shelter, and minimum transportation. It''s enough, really.

Sumbride,

Thank you. I love this post.

I loved this post, too! I''ve been thinking about it ever since I read it yesterday. It''s definitely a wonderful perspective!

Personally, I have been doing a few extra things in this economy:
1. Clipping coupons/buying things only when they''re on sale/stockpiling/rebating. It''s this whole entire process, but it has saved us tons and we''ve eaten out way less...And, I have always loved a deal...so this is a great new hobby taken to the extreme! But, I really started doing this in January because my I wanted to see if we could live off DH''s salary when we have a baby..I didn''t like how much we were spending on the variable items like food..
2. Joined a CSA to get organic fruits and veggies all summer long!
3. Using reuseable shopping bags religiously. (5 cent bag credit...but really more for the environment!!)
4. Became a mystery shopper to earn extra income at my convenience
5. Joined some on-line survey companies to take surveys for money. $3 here and there adds up, and it nicely covers my ebay purchases (which are mostly coupons)

My husband and I work together, so we''ve always carpooled. Not much room for improvement there!

 

[merrijoy]

You all have some great ideas. My DH and I were carpooling a few days a week (we work within a few blocks of each other), but now his company gave flex time and my company did not. Boo. Not I am back to driving by my lonesome again. Luckily we work under 10 miles from where we live, but still, those few days carpooling did save about $15/week.

I am bringing lunch most days of the week and making my own coffee. Lunch was $8 + a day and coffee was $1.50 + a day. I have also been doing my mani/pedi every 3+ weeks instead of every 2 weeks.

Also, have been doing less laundry during the week and reusing shower towels.

I am pretty frugal already and always look for sales on clothes. I hate buying anything full price. I do not clip coupons but feel like I should now. And now I am second guessing getting my highlights on Saturday for $100+, but no one wants to see my new lovely greys, do they?

Thank goodness DH really enjoys cooking and has been fishing a lot lately, so we eat what he catches. DH agrees with whoever said about reading the dirty dining reports and it causing us to not want to eat out. Our news does a dirty dining report almost daily and

, some of those reports are really nasty and definitely make you think twice about eating out.

 

[dragonfly411]

We normally drive to the beach once a week in the summers. We aren''t doing that this year as it is an hour drive. We''re finding more things to do that don''t cost us, like going to local parks, and the prairie to walk, going to the springs which is a bit cheaper than a drive to the beach, going to the museum, packing picnics, and going on trail rides. We''re exercising at home. We''re buying locally grown vegetables, which ends up cutting our grocery cost almost in half. we''re getting locally made bread as well. We''ve already planted blueberries, which are already bearing fruit, and I plan to plant tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, some herbs, some kind of salad green mixes, and whatever I can for winter. We''re also planning to introduce a few orange, grapefruit, fig, and pear trees to the yard. We''re limiting how much we go out to eat, and trying to find restaurants that are a bit less expensive. We''re driving my jeep as much as possible since it gets about 25 m. to the gallon. I plan on walking to the grocery more. We''ve cut back on feeding hay as much, the horses have grass and get feed. We''re also picking the wild blackberries when we see them, as it is a free food source and they can be stored over time. We''re storing corn, honey, freezing blueberries and okra. We''re buying minimal on extras like books, clothes, movies. We''ll be using the library much much more. Those are really the main things at this point. We aren''t taking the boat out for a while, and the four wheelers are staying put up unless we go camping.

 

[vespergirl]

Even though it pained me, we let go our cleaning lady about a month ago. Since I''m a SAHM, I do have the time to clean, I just hate it, so we used to have someone come twice a month. (My husband told me when we met that he didn''t care if I had to have a cleaning lady as long as I worked out every day and made a hot meal for him every night It had only cost $180 every month, but with the price of gas and food going so high, I figured that I''d rather spend that money on other things. I also recently traded in my sporty car for a Volvo SUV (much safer for baby, and we''re going to start trying for #2 soon). Even though it''s not awful, I am spending much more on gas now.

My husband said that we could keep having her come if I wanted, but I felt a little guilty being a SAHM with a cleaning lady anyway, and I''d rather save the money since you never know what''s going to happen next with the economy ...

 

[Rhea]

We haven''t made any life style changes. Being in our mid-20s and just starting out there aren''t that many that we could make to cut back. We do plan to move to a bigger flat in the next couple of months and spend more on it.

 

[laine]

I''m kinda with you, Addy. I''m a grad student with very little money--there isn''t much cutting back to be done! Although, after I realized it will cost me $50 in gas to go to my parents house, I may minimize my trips home!

 

[LitigatorChick]

Not really. Fellow canucks, are you noticing increased prices (other than fuel)?

 

[lyra]

Date: 6/13/2008 3:30:31 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
Not really. Fellow canucks, are you noticing increased prices (other than fuel)?

Yes, fresh produce. It''s amazing how much we pay compared to the US. A fruit tray that would cost me $15 costs my friend in TX only $5. Now with the tomato problem, I''m really concerned. Tainted tomatoes could disrupt a lot of my personal diet if products containing tomatoes go up too! It''s bleeping expensive eating right.

I also have a pet peeve about chicken. It''s hovering around almost $18/kg here. You can actually buy turkey for much less, and grill it on the BBQ just like boneless skinless chicken breasts. So we are eating more turkey than chicken. Deals can be had on wild salmon from time to time. Otherwise, we just buy what''s on sale.

Clothes and shoes seem up, so I''m just not introducing much new stuff this summer. I am a SAHM anyway.