Things are bad right now and I'm just wondering how everyone is dealing with it.

Any belt tightening I do is because it seems like the prudent thing to do - not because I'm forced to make a choice between a tank of gas and a prescription. I never was a player in the conspicuous consumption game and I have no debt. Real estate didn't crash here as in many areas, but there have been job losses like everywhere else. People who were on the edge have now fallen over the edge.

I guess, to be honest, the floundering economy really hasn't changed my day to day life much. I don't know whether I should feel embarassed by that or not.

"Are any of you trying to doing anything different, even if it's trying to save a small amount each month for that emergency fund?"
We already have 6 months salary in our EF... plus CDs and savings.

"Giving up your lattes?"
Never drink the things... so nothing to give up!

"Driving less?"
My 2003 Mountaineer has 46,000 miles on it.... I already AM driving less than most.

"Fixing more home made meals and then eating left overs?"
We have been doing that even since we got married in 1980.

The main changes we're making are putting off plans. We had planned to change our screened porch with convertible panels that allow us to use it as a sunroom or screened porch. The quote was $5,000. Pretty good for the extra use we'd get out of it, but I don't want to spend the money right now. We'd planned to put in skylights, a storm door & buy some furniture for our office & guest room. We're putting that off as well (we may get the storm door). We had also planned to take a vacation for our 15th anniversary - our first vacation since 2003. We were going to save some money each month to do that. But my company is very unstable & I don't know how much longer I'll have a job. So we're looking at living on just DH's income for a while. Thankfully he works for a great company that is very loyal to their employees. They are cutting expenses in all kinds of other ways in an attempt to not lay off anyone. DH is the only one at the company who can do his job, so that helps too.

Belt tightening - well, we already only go to 2nd run, $1 movies, no snacks at the theatre, rarely eat out, drive paid off old cars (althought that might have to change out of necessity), we pack our lunches for work, and don't do a lot of "descritionary" spending. I guess we'll have to eat more noodles and try to cut it out of the food budget.

We usually go see my dear friend in Chicago over Spring Break and that's about $500. She is 98 years old so I really don't want to skip that - next year she might not be there! So that's additional $$ I have to find in March.

I have considered trying to get a PT night/weekend job in addition to my reguar job. I used to do this before we had kids - I usually worked 2 jobs so we could save up to buy a house (we put 25% down on our house!) or to save the extra income. DH often had a side job, too. Neither of us have done that since the boys were born. The only problem is that DH does not work regular hours - he can be called on a moment's notice any time of the day or night. My job is 8-5, but I can't leave the boys alone if DH would get called to work in the evening or weekend, which he does 3-4 times a week.

I had hoped that we could take a trip in 2009, but unless the economy (the market) improves considerably, that will be postponed another year.

I still work part time for those "extras" that aren't really necessary but nice to have.

We eat out twice a month (at most). For January, I'm planning meals based on what's in the freezer. I do that a couple of times a year.

Entertainment is provided by the library, Netflix, and the occassional pay per view movie.

Starting this month, we have to pay $75/mo toward DH's health ins. So that's $75/mo less somewhere else. Fortunately, right now, gas is down.

All things considered, we feel fortunate.

1. Shorter wash cycle time. I already only do full laundry loads & use cold water. I had the idea to reduce the wash cycle time from 14 minutes to 9. I did this week's laundry on 9 min and can't see any difference in the clothes. It's only 5 minutes of electricity, but I do a ton of laundry for my family of 5, so it can add up to a few dollars a month off the electric bill.

2. Time showers. I put a timer in the bathroom set to 5 minutes. This keeps my kids FOCUSED so they get out of the shower longer. Otherwise they'd stay in there for 1/2 an hour a day!

3. Mix hand lotion. I love Jergens lotion because of the way it smells. Today I bought a bottle of $1 generic lotion and mixed the 2 together. Because Jergens has such a strong smell, the resultant lotion still smells great. It's only about $2.50 saved but it's a little!

4. I added a little water to all the shampoo & conditioner bottles. I think both are way too thick anyway, and this makes it easier to get just a small dab out instead of a giant glob coming out when you squeeze.

5. I turned off the outside front lamp post light in my yard. I live across the street from a church and they have huge lights in their parking lot - it's like daytime in my front yard at night from the church lights, so why have I been paying to light a post light all these years? It made no difference at all in the luminessence in my front yard.

6. This is a bigger idea - my sons' boy scout troop is going on a ski trip this weekend. The troop pays 100% for the boys, but adults pay their own way. I asked another mom if she'd drive and take my kids if I pay 1/2 her expenses. She was so happy because, like me, she really couldn't afford to go. This way she gets to go, I get to stay home, and I don't have to pay 100% for a weekend trip I don't really want to go on! So it's about $60 but that's better than going and spending $120, and my sons get to have a ride so they can go on the trip.

7. I like the idea said above about eating out of the freezer for a month. I'm going to try to do that this month - only buy milk and fresh produce at the grocery, no pantry or freezer stock!

8. I'm not going to renew both the Science Center and Zoo memberships for this year. All 3 of my boys play a sport every season, plus Boy Scouts, plus school bands. We only go about 4 times a year the past few years, and that's only because we fit it in since we paid for the membership. We won't miss not going at all until 2010 since we really don't have time anyway!

I got rid of my long distance phone service and added minutes to a phone card I used to use. So much cheaper, even if it is a little more inconvenient.

I've also decided to cut back on buying my lunches at work. I don't do it often but still more than I should.

I'm also not making any major purchases, other than plane tickets for the next six months. There's nothing we need to buy to survive so I won't be shopping much for other than food.

We have always tried to be intelligent in our spending. Purchased quality "pre-owned" cars - same family dealership for 14 vehicles - dosen't hurt that our oldest son is one of their top sales people. No car loans at all. Pay off the credit card bill when it comes in - don't use it much anyway. Stopped going out to the movies years ago. We do go out to dinner, usually on Friday nights. Pay cash and the bill has always been reasonable at our local family-owned restaurant.

The only major bill we have is the mortgage.

We pay cash for as many purchases as possible.

I retired in June after 33 years as a public school teacher. So we had been planning for a while in terms of spending and our priorities. We have a ten month cash reserve built up and we are not touching it. Our investments have taken a hit as has everybody else. But we don't need them right now so we should be okay eventually. Obviously I'm driving less so that helps since I didn't appreciate paying $4.49 per gallon this spring/ summer to fill up the SUV. And in our area, you need one to get around in the winter.

I guess our spending habits were not as irresponsible as many around us. So not too much has changed.

Enjoy the journey.
eal51 in western CT

Our main goal right now is to have 6+ months of mortgage payments in savings (we currently have 3), in case one of us should lose their job. Once we have that base in savings, we'll continue to save beyond that, for a new car for me, and maybe for a vacation for 2010. We'll see.

Until Goodwill left our area, we purchased our reading material there. When we finished a book, we returned to them to resell. We exchange books with friends and family.

Our cars are paid for and were bought as pre-owned, now why don't they just say used anymore? LOL. We worked to pay off our mortgage. We don't eat out much, never have. I like fried catfish and that is something I don't cook, so we go for that at a locally owned restaurant - but even then that is probably no more than once a month.

We never have been the type to "keep up with the Joneses". We just buy what we need, and look for the best deal - that doesn't necessarily mean the lowest price, but a good quality at a good price.

We do have an emergency savings, and a regular savings.

We have a small house and not many light fixtures but just by swapping out all the lower watt bulbs (25 - 40 watt) to energy saving bulbs of 10 watt apiece saved $10 on the electric bill last month.

Usually go to Goodwill or Salvation Army for most household items, clothing & books but have been concentrating lately on swapping with folks from church, at no cost, to save even more.

We ate very little prepackaged food before but now all but scratch cooking has been banned from the house, with lots more whole grains and less meat (which costs more).

The only indulgence that hasn't been relinquished is the twice/month purchase of gourmet coffee in a bag, which we grind ourselves. That will be the last thing to go - lol.

We've never been BIG spenders, just live comfortably. The only change might be vacations. Last year we took a month and RV'd back to Michigan. Gas was around $4.00 a gal and we were getting about 8-10 mpg. Ouch! If gas goes back up we won't be taking the trip this year. Other than that, we're living basically the same as we always have.

I will continue to max out my 401k ("buy low" right?) and will be substantially increasing my other monthly savings.

The conclusion is that more people are not only eating at home, but are cooking from scratch -- and even starting home 'larders'. (I get the canning, but guess the freezing is a wash or a loss when you figure in the cost of buying and running a freezer.)

I will continue to max out my 401k ("buy low" right?) and will be substantially increasing my other monthly savings

The buying low does work! I contributed to my mututal funds (not retirement, just savings) in the late 1980s, before, during and after the market crash. I just kept socking money each month (it was an automatic deposit thing) - not a whole lot but some. When the price went down, I bought more shares and I was actually a bit bummed when share prices went up (couldn't buy as many shares). Within 5 years, I had more than enough money to quit my job and go to graduate school full time.

The thing is, and maybe I'm a pollyanna, I knew that the market would go back up so I wasn't worried. Now, I only wished I was as smart as my sister who bought Apple stock back then for like $7 a share... (She liked her Mac).

I don't foresee being able to save as much as usual in the coming year because everything from bird seed to propane costs so much more now.

... but it cost me $15.00 to check my bag!

I said that I was going to kid her about it being a return ticket ... that it was apparent that she didn't want to put up with me, long-term ... and someone asked whether the return portion of the ticket was dated ... it was!

She met me last night at the airport, I had a great sleep, fun-filled breakfast ... we visited an old coppermine (at Jerome), are overnighting in Flagstaff, and bound for the Grand Canyon tomorrow.

We had a really great discussion in the car on the way up today.

I'm having a ball: daughters are a great blessing!

Wish me continued good fortune, please.

And I wish the same for all of you!

ole joyful

The Grand Canyon is totally awesome, but be careful near the rim. Also, I'd stay off the burros too!

Have fun :)

Sounds like your having a nice visit!

If your in the market for souvenirs, you might have a look at the roadside stands that are managed by the Navajo Indians. I picked up a nice silver and turquoise necklace and earrings for $5.00.

You also might want to consider taking a train ride!

A link that might be useful:

www.canyon-country.com/flagstaff/gctrain.htm

There was not a lot of sun at the Canyon, so not really good for pics. Came home Sun. evening, out last evening for Mex food again with her friend.

I thought of some sightseeing yesterday and read,"Joy of NOT Being Married", some interesting and useful ideas.

Daughter's friend lent me a laptop, so on computer much of today (not used to laptop, plus slightly arthritic finger results in frequENT "CAPS LOCK").

Vacation is not a time to figure on adding much to a nestegg. Just how does one add to an egg, anyway?

One can splurge a little, at an advanced age, right?

May see some sights tomorrow.

ole joyful

We haven't had a "real" vacation in years. We had a weekend/vacation house built in Pennsylvania five years ago, so that's our enjoyment.

We alternate dinners at our friends' houses and our own. We don't go to restaurants as much as we used to. We find it more enjoyable to be with friends in a quieter atmosphere.

We paid cash for our cars; we pay our credit card bills on time so we don't incur any interest.

I'm naturally frugal, and my husband is learning to be, but I don't think we deprive ourselves because our needs are simple.

He's now eligible to retire, but we're trying to save as much as possible so we can be comfortable.

Back to the OP - We have cut back in small ways. I am letting my hair grow longer and my poodle has hair growing over her eyes - but then I think I am really being selfish. The hair dressers and dog groomers deserve to make a living too. We are giving more to charity, but probably not enough. We have always been frugal but just a few months ago we went way out on margin buying rental properties in Tucson. We are about 600k in debt on a 2 figure salary. We did this because my husband thinks that inflation will once again be the only way the nation can bail its way out of debt.

Another thing we started was cutting our own hair with a Flowbee, and a bit of hand finish. The surprising thing there was that DH gives himself a better haircut than many barbers or stylists managed to do.

I've been bringing lunch more, cutting back on out to dinners some.

On the flip side, there are deals to be had. We did just take that bigger trip that we wanted to take for a while. We went to London. Airfare was down, hotel prices are down, throw in the favorable exchange rate now compared to other times. If you do have a stable income now is the time to do some traveling and do some good to stimulate the economy.