Seem the economy is taking it's toll on most of us, so how are you dealing with all the lifestyle changes that make you have to watch how you spend?
Economy
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Urq
- Posts: 266
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Re: Economy (Nismo V)
I dont go out to eat nearly as much as I use to that has saved me a bunch of cash just doing that!
Re: Economy (Urq)
Just glad I got a Versa, instead of something else. Not that I couldn't afford anything else, I'm just a guy that saves when I can and that spends as little as possible. But it is getting tough, house prices down big time, 401k's dropping like rocks. Where I live there was a major gas shortage going on at the same time as the initial crash I guess you could say. It seemed very apocalyptic.
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DejaWiz
- Posts: 345
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Re: Economy (Nismo V)
Oh man, there's lots that my wife and I have done to really cut back on expenses and be able to sock away some savings every paycheck. We've adapted very well, since it's a good (and free) lesson in becoming more frugal.
Some of the things we've really stepped up on doing:
1. Eat meals at home and bring lunch to work a lot more.
2. Find the cheapest gas in close proximity to home on gasbuddy.com.
3. Research and compare to get the best bang for the buck while being much more patient in order to find the best deal when in the process of purchasing something that carries a high price tag. If we can't find the price we want to pay, we don't buy.
4. Buy the store/off brand groceries and goods on almost everything with a few exceptions.
5. Drink a lot more ice water.
6. Recycle aluminum cans for cash.
7. Save loose change and the occasional dollar bill here and there to cash in every couple/few months.
8. Stay away from the theater and rent a movie from On Demand.
9. Make sure all the HVAC equipment is in clean and optimum operating condition.
10. Use the water/energy saving selections for the washing machine, dishwasher, and shower.
11. Ensure tires are properly inflated every couple of weeks since temperatures fluctuate a lot, especially this time of year.
12. Turn off all lights and power drawing things when not in use.
13. Work out and stick to a monthly living expense and savings budget sheet.
14. Find a flexible schedule side job for extra income. We do foster respite care on the weekends we want to. My best friend (32yo, father of 3) still mows lawns in the spring and summer and shovels snow in the winter.
15. We stop, think, and discuss before be spend money on something out of the family budget- is it something we need or just something we want? Why and what do we need/want it for? We give each other an equal amount of "fun money" each paycheck (to curb spending out of the family budget), which we can spend however we want, be it at the casino, on some new DVD's or CD's, books, magazines, computer games, whatever.
16. Go through everything once or twice a year and decide what gets put up for auction on eBay, sold at a yard sale, or donated (don't forget about tax deductions, as they can really add up.... especially for clothing).
Some of the things we've really stepped up on doing:
1. Eat meals at home and bring lunch to work a lot more.
2. Find the cheapest gas in close proximity to home on gasbuddy.com.
3. Research and compare to get the best bang for the buck while being much more patient in order to find the best deal when in the process of purchasing something that carries a high price tag. If we can't find the price we want to pay, we don't buy.
4. Buy the store/off brand groceries and goods on almost everything with a few exceptions.
5. Drink a lot more ice water.
6. Recycle aluminum cans for cash.
7. Save loose change and the occasional dollar bill here and there to cash in every couple/few months.
8. Stay away from the theater and rent a movie from On Demand.
9. Make sure all the HVAC equipment is in clean and optimum operating condition.
10. Use the water/energy saving selections for the washing machine, dishwasher, and shower.
11. Ensure tires are properly inflated every couple of weeks since temperatures fluctuate a lot, especially this time of year.
12. Turn off all lights and power drawing things when not in use.
13. Work out and stick to a monthly living expense and savings budget sheet.
14. Find a flexible schedule side job for extra income. We do foster respite care on the weekends we want to. My best friend (32yo, father of 3) still mows lawns in the spring and summer and shovels snow in the winter.
15. We stop, think, and discuss before be spend money on something out of the family budget- is it something we need or just something we want? Why and what do we need/want it for? We give each other an equal amount of "fun money" each paycheck (to curb spending out of the family budget), which we can spend however we want, be it at the casino, on some new DVD's or CD's, books, magazines, computer games, whatever.
16. Go through everything once or twice a year and decide what gets put up for auction on eBay, sold at a yard sale, or donated (don't forget about tax deductions, as they can really add up.... especially for clothing).
Re: Economy (DejaWiz)
dang dejawiz looks like u got things under control
well i got laid off i was a cashier at a mexican restaurant... they couldn't afford payroll. i have seriously $20 to my name left, and finding a job is almost damn near impossible, so i start sign twirling this weekend.... i don't want to, i know im gonna hate it, but i gotta do wat i gotta do to make some sort of money, but meanwhile still look for a real job. im also askin myself questions like, do i reallly want that ultimate cheese burger from jack in the box w/ curly fries? or can i wait till i get home and make somethin.... and save the $6 for clost to 2 gallons of gas. the good thing is that gas is at $3.07 where i live
well i got laid off i was a cashier at a mexican restaurant... they couldn't afford payroll. i have seriously $20 to my name left, and finding a job is almost damn near impossible, so i start sign twirling this weekend.... i don't want to, i know im gonna hate it, but i gotta do wat i gotta do to make some sort of money, but meanwhile still look for a real job. im also askin myself questions like, do i reallly want that ultimate cheese burger from jack in the box w/ curly fries? or can i wait till i get home and make somethin.... and save the $6 for clost to 2 gallons of gas. the good thing is that gas is at $3.07 where i live
Re: Economy (#1Tango)
Sucks about loosing you job. It's a suck *** time to try finding a new job.. It's one of the few things that scares the hell out of me. As for saving cash it's all about staying in on the weekends and eating at home. It's helping...
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DejaWiz
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Re: Economy (#1Tango)
We do what we have to at all costs to keep things in check. It's tough at times fighting off the temptation to spend money on useless/pointless s--t, but it really helps when we discuss spending not only with ourselves, but with each other.#1Tango wrote:dang dejawiz looks like u got things under control
well i got laid off i was a cashier at a mexican restaurant... they couldn't afford payroll. i have seriously $20 to my name left, and finding a job is almost damn near impossible, so i start sign twirling this weekend.... i don't want to, i know im gonna hate it, but i gotta do wat i gotta do to make some sort of money, but meanwhile still look for a real job. im also askin myself questions like, do i reallly want that ultimate cheese burger from jack in the box w/ curly fries? or can i wait till i get home and make somethin.... and save the $6 for clost to 2 gallons of gas. the good thing is that gas is at $3.07 where i live
Sorry to hear about you losing your job. A large amount of people in my company (myself included) might be losing jobs to Mexico here in the next few months. My wife and I have already run through the drill and figured out that with my severance package used to pay off outstanding debts, I can find a much lower paying job at a mall or department store and we'll still be just fine for quite a while, if not permanently.
The trick is going to be finding a new career, however. The job market absolutely sucks right now.
Best of luck to you finding a new job.
Re: (biggie)
I'm not letting it get to me. Whatever happens, happens. Keeping my confidence in God.
However, it has been tough for the construction company that I work for. We get paid through insurance companies. They do not want to let go of the checks! They're paying their customers 50cents on the dollar or less for their losses!
I'm blessed to be able to move back in with my parents for a little while. We've been saving $450 each week. Bye bye giant black hole that is rent!
However, it has been tough for the construction company that I work for. We get paid through insurance companies. They do not want to let go of the checks! They're paying their customers 50cents on the dollar or less for their losses!
I'm blessed to be able to move back in with my parents for a little while. We've been saving $450 each week. Bye bye giant black hole that is rent!
Re: (Mubbly)
To be quite honest, I haven't changed anything. I'm in my last year of university, and at a recent job fair, one company was looking for 9 people with my skills to fill vacant positions.
I've also lived by Dejawiz's principles all my life, and have a full year's salary in savings. GICs insured by the CDIC instead of investments that would have tanked in the past few years.
The banking system in Canada is very different from that of the US, but I will definitely admit that the slowing US economy is troubling for many Canadians.
Not only is the US our largest trading partner (who is demanding fewer Canadian items), but also our neighbor. Unfortunately, with a national population less than the state of California, we're at a slight disadvantage when it comes to helping out our big neighbor next door.
With the recent falling of the Loonie (CDN$), most Canadian made products will also become much cheaper. For those who don't follow currencies exept the US, Since January this year, the Loonie fell from ~1.05 US to its current level, ~0.80 US. The current level is the lowest it's been in over three years.
Anyway...my advice for getting through these times is the same as it would be when things are great. Buy only what you need, when you need it, and for the things you want, save your $s until you can pay cash for it. Don't forget the poor, homeless, and needy along the way, as there is always someone worse off than you, and there is usually (though not always) something you can do without in order to make their hard life a little easier.
I've also lived by Dejawiz's principles all my life, and have a full year's salary in savings. GICs insured by the CDIC instead of investments that would have tanked in the past few years.
The banking system in Canada is very different from that of the US, but I will definitely admit that the slowing US economy is troubling for many Canadians.
Not only is the US our largest trading partner (who is demanding fewer Canadian items), but also our neighbor. Unfortunately, with a national population less than the state of California, we're at a slight disadvantage when it comes to helping out our big neighbor next door.
With the recent falling of the Loonie (CDN$), most Canadian made products will also become much cheaper. For those who don't follow currencies exept the US, Since January this year, the Loonie fell from ~1.05 US to its current level, ~0.80 US. The current level is the lowest it's been in over three years.
Anyway...my advice for getting through these times is the same as it would be when things are great. Buy only what you need, when you need it, and for the things you want, save your $s until you can pay cash for it. Don't forget the poor, homeless, and needy along the way, as there is always someone worse off than you, and there is usually (though not always) something you can do without in order to make their hard life a little easier.
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Shad0wXCalibur
- Posts: 622
- Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:02 am
- Car: Nissan Versa SL Sedan
Re: Economy (Nismo V)
Nothing's changed for me...
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Rand0m0sityxX
- Posts: 377
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2008 5:32 pm
- Car: 2015 Nissan Quest S
2018 Nissan Versa S - Location: Princeton, La
Re: Economy (Nismo V)
I work for tips, which have decreased alot.. I can't eat out like i used to, which in turn I've eaten a lot more pizza.. Im sure my cholesterol will sky rocket soon. I also can't buy as much as I want to for me, or for my Cav...
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Bubs daddy
- Posts: 834
- Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:29 pm
- Car: 2007 Nissan Versa SL
ABS, CVT
Re: Economy (Rand0m0sityxX)
Nothing's changed, I still work, still have the Versa, still have the same money coming in so my lifestyle hasn't changed.
Re: Economy (Bubs daddy)
I just wonder what my finance rate will be next time - double digit?