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RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 7:16:51 AM

ScooterTrash

Posts: 1407
Joined: 1/24/2005
From: Indiana
Status: offline

I read the news more often...otherwise SOP (standard operating procedure). We already had achieved debt free status a long time ago, debt is what I see as most folks problem during all of this.

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Post #: 21

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 7:22:35 AM

thishereboi

Posts: 14463
Joined: 6/19/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hippiekinkster

I'm growing my own herbs.

Got rid of cable two months ago, and I don't miss it at all.

Figuring out new ways to cheat on taxes (hey, if it's good enough for rich Republicans...).

When I drive, I make sure I only go downhill. Really saves on petrol.

Neighborhood pets are a cheap source of protein.

One can get almost a full meal by shopping at Whole Foods. All those samples...

Growing your own herbs and smoking them too, it the rest of this post is any indication. So who do you get to tow your car back up the hill so you can drive it again?

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Post #: 22

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 7:29:53 AM

LookieNoNookie

Posts: 12216
Joined: 8/9/2008
Status: offline

Haven't changed a thing...don't plan on changing anything.

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Post #: 23

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 7:36:27 AM

hizgeorgiapeach

Posts: 1672
Status: offline

I cut up the credit cards quite a while back.
I'm cooking at home again a Lot more rather than eatting out - I like to cook anyway, I had simply gotten out of the habit of doing so when busy.
Movies on Demand on Cable, rather than going out to see movies - much, Much cheaper that way. (Snacks, drinks, cost of seeing the movie in the first place, no gas cost to get there, I can pause it if I need to run to the bathroom without missing part of the movie, etc.)
Carpooling with friends a lot more when we Do go out rather than staying in at someone's house. (Not that I've had much opportunity to actually go out and do more than run necessary errands since dad moved home, since most of my friends work during the day and I can't get a reliable sitter for the evening.)

Other than little things of that nature, life is pretty much no different than it was before. My changes have been due to dad moving home - not the economy. My finances actually got Better over the past couple of months. Of course, doing away with a $4000 a month nursing home bill, and a $2000 a month pharmacy bill had a Lot to do with that!

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Post #: 24

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 7:39:22 AM

Lynnxz

Posts: 4813
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Atlanta
Status: offline

Nothing really, as I pay for everything up front, in cash- so I don't really have monthly payments except for the rent, and the gym.

I do try to cook more... but it doesn't always turn out so well.

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Post #: 25

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 8:23:11 AM

LookieNoNookie

Posts: 12216
Joined: 8/9/2008
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Just saw this on a website for pinching pennies...great idea!

"Replace your premium cable package with a Netflix subscription and a $100 set-top box. You can download movies and TV programs as well as get DVDs through the mail. Cost: $100 for the cheapest set-top box, plus $17 a month for a three-movie subscription. If it replaces a $50-a-month cable package, that's a 98% return on investment".

(in reply to Lynnxz)

Post #: 26

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 8:23:58 AM

OrionTheWolf

Posts: 7803
Joined: 10/11/2006
Status: offline

More home cooked meals. More generics for food purchases. Cut back to basic cable. Combining errands during the day. Shaving 2 degrees off the setting on the thermostat. Ebaying and Craigslist to get rid of unneeded items.

That is just a few I am doing in my household.

quote:

ORIGINAL: winterlight

Please give me some suggestions as to what you are doing...

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Post #: 27

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 9:01:01 AM

winterlight

Posts: 1319
Joined: 2/18/2006
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I saw that article about the Netflix.

Problem is i have basic cable and i would miss Animal Planet and a few other programs. My basic cable doesn't include HBO, Cinemax and the other premium channels. I pay $110.00 a month. Yeah, that is a lot of money per year.

I rarely go to a movie i wait til i can rent them. I get to sit down and if i have laundry in the wash i can freeze the movie. If i fall asleep during the movie i can watch the rest later.

Credit cards i really never had a problem with them. I only buy what i need/can afford. I have stepped away from that for a few times and found that i was nervous about it. I went back to my basic plan. Don't buy what you don't NEED!

I have a cell phone which i question now why do i need it. I don't think i can cancel it without a penalty. I have an ipod it was given to me as a gift. I use it for walking around my neighborhood. It helps pass the time. My only splurge was that i bought myself a DS lite.

I make some recipies in batches and freeze it and then take it into work for lunch. Where i work a sandwich is between $6.00 and $7.00. I think that is too high. Food has gotten too high because of the gas prices. Now the gas prices had come down and the food stayed high. Now the gas is going back up so i presume they will use that excuse to charge more for the food!
I am contemplating having a garden this spring. I am not a major veggie lover but home grown sure beats what you can get at the store..

I just look to see what is on sale and buy it and put it in the freezer. People weren't buying chicken and steak. I noticed it was marked down so i bought some. It was fine to eat. I got quite a few meals out of it.

Thanks for all who replied..

(in reply to OrionTheWolf)

Post #: 28

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 9:06:00 AM

SilverMark

Posts: 3457
Joined: 5/9/2007
Status: offline

I just keep spending like a drunk sailor!....

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Post #: 29

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 9:33:07 AM

hizgeorgiapeach

Posts: 1672
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: winterlight

I saw that article about the Netflix.

Problem is i have basic cable and i would miss Animal Planet and a few other programs. My basic cable doesn't include HBO, Cinemax and the other premium channels. I pay $110.00 a month. Yeah, that is a lot of money per year.

I hadn't seen that, but it wouldn't really do me much good to make that sort of switch. I don't get the premium channels on my cable, and my $120/month cable bill includes TV, digital Phone, and HiSpeed Internet. So it's actually 3 different bills all from the same company, all on one statement. I'm not about to give up my high speed internet - I did for a short time a couple of years ago to save money, and the higher cost to keep my sanity when the slooooooooooow speeds of dialup went into effect made it a futile effort lol.

What I Have considered doing as far as that goes is to cut back phone service to basic, rather than the unlimited long distance that I have on there currently. I have unlimited long distance on my cell phone, so I really don't Need it on my landline, especially when I consider that there's just not that many people whom I call rather than talk to via IM. I cut back on the cell phone bill by going ahead and canceling the 2nd number that was on the account. It was dad's cell (in my name) which he'd used almost exclusively to get in touch with me from the nursing home. Since he's now living with me, rather than across town, he simply doesn't use it any longer. I looked at the penalty ($200) vs what it will cost to keep paying the monthly bill until the contract expires (about $700) - it made more sense to eat the penalty in the long run. I can't/won't get rid of my cell phone, even though I Hate effectively having an electronic leash. Until dad's gone, I Have to be in a position where a sitter or the Hospice nurses can get ahold of me if I'm not here at the house. Once that actually happens, and I'm not having to stay in touch 24/7 in case of emergencies - I'll either get rid of the landline completely, or the cell - haven't decided which yet, but it'll probably be the landline since I have Business uses for the cell.

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Rhi
Light travels faster than sound, which is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Essential Scentsations

(in reply to winterlight)

Post #: 30

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 10:08:04 AM

chiaThePet

Posts: 2694
Joined: 2/4/2007
Status: offline

I'll only be masturbating once an hour now.

Don't wanna be all spent at the end of the day.

chia* (the pet)

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You can stick me in the corner, but I'll probably just end up coloring on the walls.

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Post #: 31

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 11:40:20 AM

tornaway

Posts: 174
Joined: 4/14/2007
Status: offline

     I've always lived well within, or below my means . Now - I simply do more of it more consciously .   Use my bicycle alot more.   Favorite store is Goodwill - huge turnover at this one !    Amazing what you can find for free in your own neighborhood - if you just keep your eyes open .

      Library cards , or used books on Amazon .

    Also joined my local Freecycle ( look up the one in your area ) . People list all sorts of things online , that they're either looking for - or want to give away . No money exchanged at all . Less junk in the landfills . Brilliant idea !

      Never used credit cards much anyway - hate the idea of sharing ownership of anything , and being charged extra to do it !

       Simple formula for me :   less money in = less money out .

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Post #: 32

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 1:43:40 PM

LookieNoNookie

Posts: 12216
Joined: 8/9/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: SilverMark

I just keep spending like a drunk sailor!....

Dammit!!!! That's where I've been screwing things up!!!!

I always had that damned sentence backwards!

(I need some more ice...brb).

< Message edited by LookieNoNookie -- 1/11/2009 1:44:45 PM >

(in reply to SilverMark)

Post #: 33

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/11/2009 10:41:58 PM

BbwCanaDomme

Posts: 330
Joined: 5/22/2008
Status: offline

If anything, I'm buying way more. Things are way cheaper, and my income hasn't changed at all, so I'm justifying way more purchases. Example: I decided that I hate my broom. Rather than buying a new broom, or dealing with the old one, today I bought a vacuum that I plan to only use in the kitchen....I bought a vaccuum for the rest of the apartment like, two weeks ago, based on hating my old vacuum, and seeing a really cute lime green one at a store. And then I told myself that I was helping the economy, and got my hair done as a reward. Recessions are awesome!

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Post #: 34

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/14/2009 3:59:14 AM

Decadentpleasure

Posts: 52
Joined: 9/24/2005
Status: offline

- Instead of going to the movies, We'll hit one of the many sites that feature current movies online for free. (Just saw Valkyrie and Defiant...GREAT movies!)

-Will go to consignment shops for clothing.

- Get together with friends and family, having a potluck dinner. (Cheaper than the buffet and great for recipe exchanging.)

- Buy food in bulk then use the FoodSaver bag thingy. ('thingy' is a technical term)

- Map out all the errands for the day to avoid unnecessary trips in the car and go with a friend. (Switch off who drives to save on gas.)

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Post #: 35

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/14/2009 4:38:52 AM

BbwCanaDomme

Posts: 330
Joined: 5/22/2008
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Decadentpleasure

- Instead of going to the movies, We'll hit one of the many sites that feature current movies online for free. (Just saw Valkyrie and Defiant...GREAT movies!)

I think it's funny that you would comment about how great the films are, after having stolen them. Why is it that so many people think that watching bootlegged films is ok? It's stealing, it's gross, and you're taking money directly from people that aren't doing very well right now. With the threat of an actors strike, the economy tanking, and productions still trying to recover from the writers strike, there are massive amounts of below the line crew that are out of work right now. While they don't get residuals directly, residuals go to IATSE (the union for the majority of below the line workers in the film industry). The money made in theaters and through dvd sales are what pays for health insurance for over 110 000 people. You wouldn't brag about stealing bread to save money, it's incredibly tacky to list stealing films as a way to scale during the recession.

Edited to add: Just for the record, I work above the line, so I'm still doing alright currently, since pre-production can still happen regardless of whether or not the actors strike, but a lot of my friends from film school are in IATSE, and I take this issue very personally. When people think of residuals, they tend to think of writers, directors, producers, and actors. A lot of people don't realize just how many people rely on residuals for things like healthcare.

< Message edited by BbwCanaDomme -- 1/14/2009 4:43:35 AM >

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Post #: 36

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/14/2009 4:53:46 AM

MrRodgers

Posts: 10542
Joined: 7/30/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: MadAxeman

Sadly I had to let the under scullery maid go and the moat is filtered only thrice weekly now.

I don't filter anymore because there might be more food there. I put the maid to work outside the house and otherwise do not $ub$cibe to ANY websites.

(in reply to MadAxeman)

Post #: 37

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/14/2009 5:36:54 AM

TNstepsout

Posts: 1558
Joined: 8/3/2005
Status: offline

I've always been pretty thrifty, but when I had a little extra I have to admit I splurged a bit. I can't really cut down on bills as I'm pretty much at a minimum already. No car note, no credit cards etc.... I have cable and it's not going anywhere. The TV and internet (billed together) are my biggest sources of entertainment. I'm taking my lunches to work more often instead of eating in the cafe or picking up fast food. I save the most money on groceries by shopping at a local health food store that has bulk bins. Oats, grains, beans, nuts, cereal etc... are all priced very well. I've also found that the produce at the local Asian market is a steal! Their herbs are priced amazingly well. They have packages of fresh basil for $1.00 that would cost almost 4 times that much at the regular grocery store!

If you get to the grocery store early (I don't know about all of them, but Walmart does this) you can get clearance meat items at a great price. These are items that are nearing their expiration and they don't want to have to throw them away.

Keep a plastic container in the freezer for small amounts of leftover veggies and meats and then every couple of months throw it all into a pot together for a nice stew.

And if you want to be REALLY thrifty, eat your cereal with a fork and put the milk back in the jug. (I'm kidding- I just heard this on the radio one time when people were calling in about really cheap people they knew)

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Post #: 38

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/14/2009 6:27:08 AM

Decadentpleasure

Posts: 52
Joined: 9/24/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: BbwCanaDomme

I think it's funny that you would comment about how great the films are, after having stolen them. Why is it that so many people think that watching bootlegged films is ok? It's stealing, it's gross, and you're taking money directly from people that aren't doing very well right now.

Your peeve is duly noted and without getting into a watersports contest with you..here are some of my thoughts. There are some movies on these sites that have been actually filmed in the theater, while other films featured are official screening films (which someone paid for the right to have)..and yet again there are movies that after having been released on DVD are posted online for others to view (again are paid for by someone). Here's something else to consider..when you or anyone borrows a DVD movie, videogame, CD, book, etc from a friend..its stealing as you're not the one who bought the right to use it. Have a nice day!

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~Loved Cherished Owned, i am His pleasure for His pleasure~

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Post #: 39

RE: What are you doing to scale back since the economy ... - 1/14/2009 1:19:54 PM

LaTigresse

Posts: 26123
Joined: 1/15/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ALAstella

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hippiekinkster

I'm growing my own herbs.

Yeah man.. Me a like de Rasta ting too.

This made me snort laugh!!

SEEDS !!!!!! I need SEEDS!!!

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My twisted, self deprecating, sense of humour, finds alot to laugh about, in your lack of one!

Just because you are well educated, articulate, and can use big, fancy words, properly........does not mean you are right!

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Post #: 40

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