How is everyone doing in these times?

[Trialanderror]

How are all my virtual friends South of the border doing (and anywhere else of course) in these economically challenging times? Did you have to make any drastic changes to your life to survive or are you staying on top of the tidal wave?
For my part, I keep recalculating my budget and have come up with all kinds of little savings here and there just to be prepared for job loss or other emergencies but nothing adds up...Do you live day by day or are you a financial hypochondriac like me? Whatever situation you are facing, just wanted to say let`s all be strong and never lose our sense of humor on here. It really helps.

[gokuangel]

LOL oh that is soo funny AngelIn.. and sooo true!! That's one my biggest faults right now im trying soooo hard not to buy alcohol but it never works!! As Cherie was saying though we should count our blessings i think we all forget that but right now its about survival and not being rich! I have my home and im very thankful for that! My bills are paid and we have food!!
LOL oh you guys are sooo funny about the bike riding thing!! I cant ride a bike either i live 10 miles outside city limits so i would need to be a racer to get anywhere and i dont think groceries would fit in that basket either!! On the serious side we use my DH's work truck to get around and its a monster on gas so we have to be very careful going around we only get out when we have to get stuff or we know we have enough gas and money for the dang thing!!

[Melissa0116]

I tried the bike thing but my vacuum and cleaning supplies would not fit in the basket.  LOL LOL

We have to make light of these things at times or we will all go crazy in worry.  

MK:  have you ever thought of starting your own business.  Women seem to be able to receive many grants and funding for start up and to keep their business running.  I have not had to use any funding but have done much research on it.  Some types of businesses do not require alot to start up and keep going.  My cleaning business did not require much money at all.  Just a thought.......................

[HelpinUtah]

Fortunately, my husband and I are doing better than we have in over 10 years!  I know we are blessed right now.  But, we are taking steps to stick with a budget better than we ever have and are spending less on things we do not need.  We figure that while we are doing well, we need to put money aside.  We're not rich, but we are okay right now.  I feel so badly that so many people are out of work.  I told someone at our Church that if they need our help with food or anything to let us know.  I feel like being blessed means we must do more to help.  We have to take care of each other.  My job is secure right now - our company had its best months ever for January and February of this year.  My hubby's job is not as secure since he works for a large mortgage company.  But, he is the head of IT here in the Salt Lake City office and so I'm sure he'll be okay for awhile.  But, with the economy we just never know!  

I think pinching pennies is the best way to be right now.  But, no matter what our circumstances, if we know family or friends out of work - we can always invite them to dinner or make extra and take them food.  I feel that is one way we can help each other!

[Angelinthemorning]

Well, luckily for us my dh works in the beer business.  And we all know when depression hits people like to drink!!  I know that's kind of horrible to say but, it's true.  So, we are doing the same as always.  I stay at home with the girls so, we've always pinched pennies to make ends meet and so forth.

[Trialanderror]

Cherie, a positive attitude sure helps. It`s true, it could all be much worse. Homelessness and worse.
MJ, riding a bike is a great way to save. I keep contemplating if I could do the 20 miles to work but no, I`d have to ride it at 80 mp/h to make it to my son`s daycare on time at night. Hope your job hunt turn out well soon. Maybe you can sell your MH entries in the meantime. It`s all well-written :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, everyone..

[MJIthewriter]

Still have no job.... I haven't heard back from the interviews I had.  I'm feeling discouraged about that.  The SSI people want me to ramp up my efforts to get employed.  I'm not sure I want to do another McD's type job.  I've done it before, but I am hoping for something more suited to my ablities and interests.

Last week or so followed up on one of the photography places I applied for. They seemed happy to get my call, but they told me even their staff doesn't have enough work.  They suggested in April, there may be more work with weddings, etc.  I hope to call them some time this next week or two.  


I'm also limitied because I have no car.  I rely on public transportation or kind people in our area to get me where I need to be.  Or if places are close enough I ride my bike.  If I go by myself on bike I can usually shop without major anxiety attacks or meltdowns, but I am also limited by what I can take home.

If I shop with grandma I can get more items, but I also risk having anxiety attacks and meltdowns, because the longer I'm in the store the more overwhelmed and uncomfortable I feel. She tries to get a months worth of shopping or at least several weeks worth in one trip. She also wants to comparison shop and get the cheaper deals.  That means potentially spending about 2-5 hours in a store. The solution lately has been for her to shop alone and get the items we need.

Lately things I used to enjoy one or two years ago have gotten out of our price range.  Spring mix salids are one of those things.  Grandma rarely brings them home. If I ask her, she says they are like $4-5 and she refuses to pay that much, even if she is using my money, which isn't much.

Finances:  Grandma used to be paid a good some with her stocks, but since the stock market has fallen, so have her stocks.  She's also trying to sell land she owns in another state, and that hasn't been selling either.

[Cherie762]

We are keeping our heads above water but have made changes,,,My husband owns 1/3 of a business and for the first time ever they have had to lay off two employes more liekly to follow,,,we are cutting back on fun stuff like movies, dinning out,,,decreasing grocery bills ( actually buying cheaper is healthier the way i do it)..I now wash clothes in cold water,,,and i now have a 10k student loan to pay off so in about 9 months I can get a job with higher pay and better incentives....I am driving a paid for but looks real ugly van ,,but thats ok,,,,we tried to refinace our house they( th bank inspectors really went over it with a fine tooth comb) it has decreased in value by 90k from assesed value 5 years ago,,,we have added a poly resin fence, a owens-corneing (sp) finished  18k basement..all new carpet it makes no sense except i knwo its the same for everyone....2 of my friends on my blocks husbands have lost their job..and a dear man down the street  a pastor with 3 young kids..I had not seen him in a while...then I noticed the sticker on his homes front window,,,people in the middle to lowermiddle class are suffering terribly,,,yet I just gotta believe this will turn around....a house our lifes savings ..the best investment you will ever make....oh I sure hope that turns true again..

but remember to count you blessings,..we are never cold, we are never hungry or thirsty,,,we go to a doctors when sick, my kids have clothes and are healthy,,,so its all ok..

[1nana]

Hahaha, that's too funny!

I hate to say it, but your son sounds like a typical male. Pretty dang smart for a 6 year old.

[Trialanderror]

Wow, that is rough as well. What a scam by that health insurance company. It is sickening how fast we can sometimes spiral down without our own wrong-doing. Loving families are all we have sometimes.
My truck had all these problems in the 600$ range as well last year and I had to bite the bullet and send it to the junk yard. Now I`m stuck with mortgage and car payments. Good timing...
I have no family here and am raising my son on my own, one income only, so the "burden of responsibility" is what gets to me sometimes, but then again, I have always been lucky when I thought there was no way out. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Oops - a train !

[Melissa0116]

My family has been struggling but we are still in our home and paying the mortgage.  We have cut back to one car and also have stopped going out to eat as much.  We also have decreased our spending, substantially.  My husband could lose his job at any time.  I am self employed and have been extremely blessed.  I own a cleaning business, no employees, and continue to receive calls to clean homes.  Many people are ill or older and really need more help.  So, at least we have my job as backup.  The one car situation has been rough, though.  My husband works out of the house but travels, occasionally.  We also have been having alot of problems with the only car we have.  It has been in the shop twice now and still is not fixed ($600 later).  We need engine work done and that will cost a fortune.  But, on the bright side, we do have my brothers' car to use in the meantime.  We cannot afford to trade the car in and get a new one.  We do not use credit cards and our credit score is not good due to our old health insurance company.  The old company decided that they did not want to pay for my sons' medical bills after they had already given referrals and preapprovals.  We have been fighting this for 2 years now.  Actually, it is probably a good thing that we cannot get another car, since that would just cause debt.   We have not used credit cards in years and are still paying for my husbands college education.  

We go day by day, but also realize that we will get through this by the grace of God.  We are a loving family and that is all we need and a roof over our heads.  Things will get better!

[Trialanderror]

Hahaha, I need some of that humor you all have. It sounds pretty bad what you are going through. Hang in there!! And W-nana, I am amazed you remember my quote...I`m almost right there with you, at the edge of the cliff...my company is relocating as well and while I imagined to freelance for them from home, it turns out not to be an option...I must have been talking about money so much that my six year old wrote at school: all I want in life is to be rich and drive two sports cars. There go the values of compassion and generosity I wanted for him :)

[gokuangel]

I'm just taking it one day at time! It's all you can do! My DH has also been out of work since after X-mas but his cousin found a new job which is supposed to start soon, I hope! We have survived cus we dont have a house payment we're one of the lucky ones not losing it so with the lil jobs my dh has gone to plus baby sitting his nieces and some family help, we have paid our utilities and bought food and managed like that but it doesnt make it easy! We still have budget the food $$ right and get things that last longer!
for every1 getting slammed by the recession lets keep our fingers crossed its gonna end soon very soon!!

[SassyLassie]

So far, I am not doing any worse than last year. I guess I was not doing too well then either, LOL. Last year, I did not have a job, I still do not have a job, last year, my health was not great, this year, it still is not the greatest, last year, I was "just" making it with the help of friends and family, this year, the same.  Gee, no wonder I don't notice a difference.

The only thing I have gained is weight. For some dang reason, it has gone up 9 pounds and I have no idea as to why, I have not changed a thing. This IS depressing.

[1nana]

My sense of humor is all I've got left! When that is gone, I'm outta here.

I'm under the tidal wave and close to drowning....LOL....I Lost my job in December, due to the company relocating to Las Vegas. I worked from home and had the "perfect job," (health insurance and all, not bad for a part-time job) I was able to basically make my own hours.

My hubby is retired and has health problems and I care for my ailing mother.

It's funny, because I had a terrible day 3 days ago and thought of that quote that you once told me of.

"Yesterday I stood at the edge of the cliff.....today I'm one step ahead"

I LOVE that quote!