In this economy what services or things you will never forgo? (mortgage, construction)

[Avengerfire]

Street hookers and call girls.

[chicagocubs]

Originally Posted by Milwaukee City

No I came down to Chicago to buy a SAAB 9-5 AERO, Loaded!!!



Well Milwaukee has a lot of financial jobs like Chicago(strong funds, Northwestern Mutual, Baird Co, MGIC) and the list goes on. Milwaukee area is know for being frugal however if you haven't seen Milw's east side or downtown we have high-rise condos still going up everywhere oddly enough a lot of the projects are being done and financed by Chicago firms. Housing sales from this Oct compared to Last Oct are actually up 3.3% in the Upper Eastside area down to the 5th Ward. The rest of Milw took a huge hit. Thanks to Chicagoians buying second homes in Milw has helped to.

MetroMilwaukee.org: Your guide to Milwaukee relocation

Seriously? Milwaukee has financial jobs? WHO KNEW?

Now living in Charlotte, what used to be the second largest financial district behind NYC. On the brink of loosing my job with little to no hope of getting another because of the large amount of competition of highly qualified people on the streets. Good to know where to look, even for contractor positions.

[chicagocubs]

by the way, I have already given up my blackberry, no presents of any kind (Christmas, birthday, etc), all spending that is not absolutely necessary. I have at least one day where I don't leave the house (no public transportation here, and it is impossible to walk anywhere, so, going out= costs). I also shut off the heater during the day when I am not here and set the t-stat to 62 degrees when I am here.

getting as close to budgeting life to living within the unemployment confines before it actually happens.

[chicagocubs]

next to go is cable...only subscribe to basic ($8.00/month).

[coldwine]

This is a time of great material plenty for me. I'm fortunate enough to be flush with cash this recession round.

To that end, I spread it around a lot. I cater and host a lot of parties and events, I've actually hired an on-staff maid, I tip usually 100% of any bill whenever I eat out... Just spreadin' the wealth around.

I'm not actually in the United States anymore, but people have always been much poorer here anyways.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by lincolnparker

my neighbor says shes cutting back on nanny service and chauffeur services, but will still go for her botox treatment, though she will be driving herself in her maserati. What is your story?

Cutting back on chauffers and nannies? What is this world coming to? As a symbolic gesture, I may cut back on Lulu's (my gorgeous Maltese) french parfum. I currently spritz her 3 times a day with VIP Les Poochs PupStyle.com: Sweet Scents for your Stinky Sidekick

I guess at $3,000 per 4 oz. it's somewhat extravagant. I may switch to the cheaper Channel #5. I will not forgo her bi-weekly french pedicure though. Things have not gotten that bad...

[At1WithNature]

acupuncture...that's about it.

[coldwine]

I had some time to think about it, and I realized that I don't really have much to give up on.

Yes, I'm a clotheshorse, but I work my life away and I wear very conservative clothing anyways. I don't really have much reason to wear my nicer clothing/shoes, so my expenditures for those went dramatically down when I left Chicago.

I've never had cable television, I've never owned a car, I've never purchased a television unit itself... It's hard to look at my life and really consider what else I could take away. I've never even taken a vacation. I guess buying books is the only thing I'd have to give up, and that would really suck

Again, though, after so many years of being poor it's nice to have so much extra cash. I'm doing a lot to stimulate the local economy, I'm sure.

[coldwine]

After I typed that last one, I started using the only moisturizer I've ever used: Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter body lotion. I've been a fanatically loyal user since the 80's... And it's like, $2 for a 32 ounce container. The mint julep face mask is my only face product (I don't wear makeup of any kind), and that stuff is amazing. $3 amazing, even.

[michmoldman]

Hey guys just thught I would add my 2 cents worth. We here in Michigan have been in a recession for maybe 7 years, and some may call it the new depression, but its not as bad as some people think it may be. Even in my small town I have not noticed a huge difference as in businesses closing and all that. Our state has recently had a lot of very good news lately concerning large companies expanding and huge investments in other sectors. Even with all the trouble with the auto companies, I really dont think things will be all doom and gloom as bad as they say. America is a great country, and people will adjust, it just takes time. Other companies will start up and its only a matter of time before the next "big thing" will come along and start hireing all the people losing jobs. There are a lot of smart people who have lost their jobs from huge companies who are already working on starting their plans to open their own businesses. These are the new companies with new ideas that will lead us out of this recession. We need these banks to open up their lending so these and other companies already established can get going again. The government really needs to focus on the housing mess soon. I think they would see a huge improvement if they could fix that mess. I proposed they should have taken 30-50% off what everyone (most everyone) owes on their home, because most people now owe more than their house is worth. That would give everyone almost instant equity and get people moving again. Also keep the interest rate of a 30 yr. mortgage at 3.5-4% I want to move farther north, but cannot do anything cause I cant sell my house. People need to be able to sell and buy again, and you will see this country get moving again fast!