How has/will the recession affect you? (paying, checking account, Hawaii)
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I am retired so I don't get a salary. We get some pension money. My husband's salary increased less than 1% over the last 3 years. It's not enough to bring things back into line. One must learn to be thrifty.
I don't think moving to another country is the answer. Gas is expensive everywhere except Saudi.
I buy as much "on sale" as I can...stock up when I have the funds but if you saw my pantry you'd say "is there something to eat in here besides cat food?" I can't cut back much else.
I recently started using my PayPal Debit card for most purchases I make and to pay bills online. I get 1.5% cashback on purchases. Its not a lot of money but it is free and as far as I can tell it is also tax-free money too.
We don't eat out a lot but sometimes our schedules make it a necessity.
From my perspective and experience I have cut down spending. Pleasure roadtrips to go exploring are far and few between and for the first time in the last 25 years when I go grocery shopping I skip certain items which used to go into the cart at each trip to the store. Ironically, the best healthy foods are also the most expensive. I can count on one hand on how many times I have stopped in the past two years for fast food which is a good thing money aside. For regular merchandise and household stuff I don't go to just browse anymore, only when I have a specific need for an item and then almost always when I get the merchandise on sale. Also, certain magazine subscriptions that I have maintained for years have gone unrenewed this year. Unfortunately I have no immediate discretionary control over fuel to go to work, heating oil, and ever increasing property taxes.
Well, I haven't bought a new car that I need. Actually I don't need it, I want it. My car is now 5 years old and in the previous 15 years or so I have traded my cars every 2-3 years (mostly buying cars less then 1 year old). However now I'm taking the "wait and see what happens" point of view. I know a few other people who are in similar situations so I can see how the car industry is going to be hurting (even more) in the next few years.
Well, I haven't bought a new car that I need. Actually I don't need it, I want it. My car is now 5 years old and in the previous 15 years or so I have traded my cars every 2-3 years (mostly buying cars less then 1 year old). However now I'm taking the "wait and see what happens" point of view. I know a few other people who are in similar situations so I can see how the car industry is going to be hurting (even more) in the next few years.
I believe that life style (purchase new cars ever 2 to 3 yrs) is over. Could be wrong though.
I believe that life style (purchase new cars ever 2 to 3 yrs) is over. Could be wrong though.
For some, perhaps. The funny thing is that I could easily buy a new car now. I've never bought one that I couldn't pay for outright and wouldn't start now. The problem is this "future unkown" feeling is stopping me (even me, a car obsessed freak and able to pay in full) from stepping up to the plate. This is really going to get ugly folks.
Food is more expensive but you can buy healthy food. Cans of black eye peas and collard or turnip greens aren't expensive- about 33 cents at the local Winn Dixie. It's the fresh stuff that's expensive. As James Howard Kunstler said, the 3,000 mile Caesar salad is about to come to an end. I know black eye peas and collard greens may not be some peoples idea of good eating but it is healthy food.
Now, what has gone up in price is things like milk, cheese, eggs, and meat. They depend on being relatively fresh (shipping costs here) and they have alot of corn inputs going into them, so that's one reason they cost more.
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