In this economy what services or things you will never forgo? (Chicago: dermatologists, student loan)

[JustJulia]

We don't spend a lot on luxuries, so there's not a lot to cut back on. I tried to cut back my Comcast bill by downgrading some services, but like somebody said earlier, that place is rigged. We have to have high-speed Internet for work, and it's important to my husband to have cable because that's pretty much the only indulgence he has, and although we don't need voice mail and other phone services, we don't WANT to pay per minute for long distance, so there's not much Comcast could do. It's all or nothing with them, it seems, so WOW or AT&T is getting our business as of this weekend.

We have to tighten our belts a little, because my husband was laid off shortly after they moved us here (long story that just makes me mad, so don't ask), so I had to cut back the grocery budget a little. Not as much fish, soup more frequently, not so many snacks in the house. I refuse to cook cheap, overprocessed food for my family, so we can't eat too cheaply, but I am good at scouting out sales and stocking up on good deals. We still eat chicken and fresh vegetables and whole wheat bread and stuff like that.

[coldwine]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

We don't spend a lot on luxuries, so there's not a lot to cut back on. I tried to cut back my Comcast bill by downgrading some services, but like somebody said earlier, that place is rigged. We have to have high-speed Internet for work, and it's important to my husband to have cable because that's pretty much the only indulgence he has, and although we don't need voice mail and other phone services, we don't WANT to pay per minute for long distance, so there's not much Comcast could do. It's all or nothing with them, it seems, so WOW or AT&T is getting our business as of this weekend.

We have to tighten our belts a little, because my husband was laid off shortly after they moved us here (long story that just makes me mad, so don't ask), so I had to cut back the grocery budget a little. Not as much fish, soup more frequently, not so many snacks in the house. I refuse to cook cheap, overprocessed food for my family, so we can't eat too cheaply, but I am good at scouting out sales and stocking up on good deals. We still eat chicken and fresh vegetables and whole wheat bread and stuff like that.

ALDI. That's my word for you. ALDI is an amazing place to shop... Everything is always on sale.

[JustJulia]

I'll have to check it out. I've heard mixed reviews, but it can't hurt to go take a look!

[coldwine]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

I'll have to check it out. I've heard mixed reviews, but it can't hurt to go take a look!

I've never met an ALDI I didn't love. Just bring your own bags, which can be a bit of a pain for a city person who doesn't have a car

[JustJulia]

Then may I point you to baggu.com? Super cute reusable bags in all kinds of colors and patterns, and they fold into cute little packets you can throw in your purse.

[oakparkdude]

So far, (knock on wood) we haven't seen significant changes in my industry (healthcare). I'm still just a few years out of residency, so I'm still adjusting to the huge increase in standard of living (no more instant Ramen for me!). Other than the house, the kid, and cable tv, we haven't increased our expenses all that much from the starving graduate student years, so we don't have to cut back yet.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

So far, (knock on wood) we haven't seen significant changes in my industry (healthcare). I'm still just a few years out of residency, so I'm still adjusting to the huge increase in standard of living (no more instant Ramen for me!). Other than the house, the kid, and cable tv, we haven't increased our expenses all that much from the starving graduate student years, so we don't have to cut back yet.

My girlfriend's in healthcare. She hasn't seen any cutbacks.

For that matter, I haven't seen any cutbacks, but everyone's tightening up for the possibility of problems to come. It's only prudent.

[JustJulia]

My husband and I are too. My husband was laid off but found another job within a few weeks, and my job is fine. Our companies are not making as much as they hoped to this year, but they are still turning a profit.

[oakparkdude]

Well, healthcare is a huge industry (something like 16% of GDP) these days. For the most part, I think physicians and hospitals are going to do okay. Companies that may get hit are those that supply capital improvements (CT machines, hospital construction, etc) since that's the kind of stuff that can be most easily canceled/deferred.

[hank0604]

An old roommate of mine is a salesman for a company that makes the surgical lap-bands for dieters. He said his business has almost shut down, as that treatment is almost always out of pocket for the patient.