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Wow, this is really scary. I hope we all survive this mess. I don't suspect many of us have ever been through something like we are about to see.
I am going to start to make up a list of things I am willing to live without....
1. Cellphone
2. Dinner out
3. New clothes
4. Vacations
etc. etc. etc.
Anyone else thinking about where to cut back?
Ugh.
Andy and I have been meaning to cut back on our cell phone plan. We pay for far more minutes than we use.
We've been cutting back on food, not eating out as much and buying more generic. The crazy thing is that right now DH's company (civil engineering, gas wells) is doing extremely well right now and he's able to get a good bit of overtime. Still, I am wanting to put money aside in case this doesn't last...
Well, I can't do without my cellphone because it's the only phone I own. I don't have a landline. But, I have cut back by:
Going nowhere
Doing nothing
I've had the same tank of gas in my car for a week.
I don't go out to eat because I'm on a diet. I go to the gym as part of my weight loss program. I don't know what else I can give up.
I'm with you Donna! I go to work and grocery shopping and thats about it. The internet is a real cheap way to entertain myself lolQuote:
Originally Posted by moosmom
I have a cell phone and internet.. thats about it....
I don't have cable -- just rabbit ears -- until Feb 17th of course... then nothing..
I haven't been on vaccation in years.. no dog shows since January.
No new clothes..
I don't go out often at all -- its been months.
Though I am currently TRYING to find a full time job in my area, with not much luck these last couple months...
Yeah, it's tough to figure out where else to cut back. I have limited cable ($15.00 a month), dial-up internet, I only eat out about once a month and that is a trip to McDonald's. I have pay as you go cell phone service as it is only for emergency purposes and it only costs me about $150.00 total for the whole year. I have no vacation plans, and my entertainment consists of going to the dog park with the pups (which I do truly enjoy). It is tough to figure out where else to cut back. And with the holidays coming it is even tougher.
:o Pretty Basic Here = other than Vet bills here latley..
Isn't it all so scary :eek::eek:!! I feel so sorry for everyone who lost his house &/or savings...:(:(
The first thing I can do without is the Republician party. :mad::mad:
I might get a second job for the weekends so I can put more in savings at least over the winter.
Christmas is coming up................................
Usually I am spending a couple of hundred dollars a week by now on gifts to put away.
Instead this year I will be making gifts. Things like wreaths, and homemade cookies.
Some folks I will cut back on, I am sure that will be a relief to them as well.
One thing I will try to do is exchange services with someone. This can truly work well if you have a skill to barther for even if it is cleaning someones house or mowing their lawn. Single guys love some homemade frozen meals and cookies.
It's time to be creative. Ask your neighbor what they need and you might be surprised at what skills they would be willing to offer in exchange for something else.
Blessings to all in this hard time.
Marigold - years ago, when Canada was in (another) recession, I was broke and it was Christmas time.
I bought some tiny individual loaf pans, overripe bananas on sale, and had the flour and sugar to make little banana loaves! I wrapped them in Saran and had purchased little baskets - I made little gift baskets. People loved them even more because a personal touch had gone into them. I had also put trial-size bottles of bubble bath and etc into the baskets.
Gifts from the heart are always treasured. That's what I found.
Me - there's not much I can give up. I am pretty basic here. I have a new computer tech job - but am forgoing the $107 monthly Blackberry package until I have some steady gigs.
As the prayer below says, "Heal my desires..." they aren't always needs.
Also, have a boo at this thread everyone, if you wish: http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=147059
HEY!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ginger's Mom
Tell us the details about your "Limited Cable for $15.00 a month"!
I do NOT need a Zillion channels of junque for the "bargin price" of $50 / month!
:eek:
Phred - how about Rabbit Ears?
If I could get a decent signal with them where I am located, I would do it! You can even get powered ones!
Thats what I have! I can get about 5 (sometimes 6) channels on them... which is honestly all that I need. I buy cheap $5 DVD's from walmart every once in a while, so I have a good collection of movies...Quote:
Originally Posted by Catty1
I pretty much only do basics too. Light DSL, basic cable, small cell phone package, only need to fill up the van every 4th month (usually)..
I have been buying a lot of clothes these last 6 month because of loosing weight but I found a great used clothing store where nothing is usually over $2 and they have good brands in there. I will need to make a run and get some small winter stuff SOON! I prefer used jeans since that are already preshrunk when I get them and get no surprises when I wash them.
I DO stash as much as I can in savings as I can and spend as little as I can. Been doing that ever since I paid my house off.
That's awesome that you own your house free and clear! That's got to be a huge help; you can stash away the former mortgage payment. (Stupid taxes, though...:p)
Oh! Is that how it's supposed to work? :eek::pQuote:
Originally Posted by smokey the elder
We paid off our house, and now my monthly health insurance premium is $863 for just me. I call it my health mortgage.
I guess I could just go without, lots of people cut back by not buying insurance.
There are lots of things that I can easily do without. But I will tell you something I will NEVER do without - and that is my kitties!
Remember, though - "rabbit ears" won't work after February 17, 2009 - see http://www.dtvtransition.org/ for what to do!Quote:
Originally Posted by Spiritwind
Quote:
Originally Posted by rosethecopycat
HOLY MOTHER OF GEORGE!
I have to say that I do not have that problem.
I have health for life.
My co-pay is 5 bucks....I really hate to see people have to shell out bucks like that for health care.
That is a HUGE bug up my rear end......It's not fair to anyone to have to shell out bucks like that.
Wow, that is a high premium. I believe ours is only $200 per month from hubby's work, however we don't have ANY copays, an $800 per person deductable per calendar year, and what it covers is only 50-80% when you meet the requirements. Needless to say we don't go the the dr. until we have a multitude of things wrong, or something serious.
The weird thing is our dental has NO deductable, covers 80-100%, and our prescriptions cover a percentage (which changes every 4 months of course) right from the first of the year.
So we have healthy teeth but lousy overall health, go figure.
My health insurance is half that amount but it increases at least $50, it seems every 6 months or so. If it paid for everything, it wouldn't be so bad but I'm still paying for tests that I had done months ago for ovarian cancer. (No, I don't have cancer.) They pay only a small, very small portion and I'm stuck w/the rest. For ex: an office visit to my primary care physician costs $100 and my insurance company will pay $12.12. A visit to my gynecologist costs $135 and my insurance company will pay $8.67. It's only good for accidents and catastrophic illnesses because I'm over 55 and self employed. It's difficult to cut back on things but I just can't cut out my health insurance. A nurse friend of mine told me if I do that, at my age I'll never get insured again. I don't know if she was exaggerating but I don't want to take the chance and find out that she was right.Quote:
Originally Posted by rosethecopycat