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Ouch!
 By Dianne Castell Things are a little tight right now for everyone…or for most of us real tight. The cost of gas is out of this world. It takes $55 to fill my little SUV. Holy cow!! Thank heavens it gets 30mpg but even at that it’s $55! That’s insane. And of course this translates into everything going up. Check your food bill lately? Check the price of milk! I guess because it’s all trucked in from the cows. And bread! I think they must be making my bread in Alaska and trucking it in. And if you happen to have a 401K or stocks or any kind of investments you probably feel like jumping out the window. Me first! Retirement?? Yeah right. So, I’m thinking of ways to cut back on expenses. Vacation? I painted my fence. I work at the Snooty Fox. This is an upscale consignment shop and I’ve decided that this is my only place to shop for clothes because they’re a fraction of the cost. No more trips to Coldwater Creek. That place is dangerous for me. I always find something cute. And as for going out to dinner… I’m having the family over to grill out at home instead of running off to The Cheesecake Factory and it’s hamburgers and not steak on that grill and, boy, do I miss the CCF. For fun we’re doing more corn hole (those of you in the Midwest know what that is) and not so much running off to movies…though Batman is an exception! I’m running the AC less and fans more and even turning off my computer when not using it even thought it takes forever for my PC to boot up. Are you still buying books? Trading more books with friends? Going to used book stores more? Rereading your keeper shelf? Soooo, my question to you all is… Is the present money crunch making you do anything differently? Do you have a fav way to skimp? I’m always looking for ways to save a buck. Good luck on pinching those pennies! Hugs, 17 Responses to “Ouch!” |
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July 18th, 2008 at 6:12 am
Hi Dianne! I admit I haven’t felt it nearly as badly as some people because I live very close to work and to the important places - bookstores, grocery stores, the mall, airport - so that hasn’t affected me. But the price of everything has really gone up. It’ crazy.
Two things I do are 1) I save my change. Then once a month or so I use that money to pay towards a bill. It really makes a difference and I’m paying it off faster.
And 2) every 2 weeks when I get my paycheck, a portion of each check is divided into a different account. I have one for books, clothes, vacation, car, etc. So if I don’t have enough money in the book account, sadly, I don’t buy books. It’s really helped me save a lot of money, and now that I’m going to RWA this year, I have saved enough for the hotel, plane ticket, and more books! As well as some touring things.
Let me tell you, it has really cut back on my stress about money. It’s even kinda fun to save, especially for the bigger things. The next thing I’m saving for is a car. I don’t know if I’ll be able to pay cash for the whole thing, but I’ll have a nice-sized downpayment to put towards it. As Martha would say, it’s a good thing :D
July 18th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I am fortunate in that the area where I live is close to about everything I need so I don’t have to drive too far, but when I do shop I plan ahead and have a list of everywhere I need to go and then I plan out my route to include all my stops on this one trip. I find I save on gas and times I have to go out with the car. I find myself looking for more bargains and sales and cutting back on eating out so often. We enjoy grilling out at home and having family or friends over rather than meeting at a restaurant. We find it is more relaxing and less expensive.
I find I am now more conscious of making sure I turn of lights or appliances when I leave a room and have set our air conditioning up a couple of degrees so it runs less often.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I live in the middle of no where so the gas prices are ridiculous. It cost $65 every trip to the pumps and that’s at least once a week. When my kids start their fall activities I’m sure it will double.
To save on our electricity we have started hanging out clothes on a line. We have never done this because of allergies, but with 3 of us taking shots we are doing much better. We only run our pool pump for a few hours in the middle of the night and while were in it and now nobody (i.e. kids) have night lights.
As far as books go, I have started only buying the ones that I truly want. The rest I either see if one of my friends already have it or wait until I make a trip to one of the large bookstore chains, so that I can use my reward points. LOL
July 18th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Hi, Stacy
Yeah, I like saving too. Great idea on the change thing and living close to work really helps. My daughter is moving to Atlanta and one of the ideas for where to live was very close to work. Plus the traffic in Atlanta is horrid! :-)
Hi, Shari
I don’t run the AC very cold either. Usually at 8O or so. In Cincy it’s all about the humidity. We can swim to work here. :-)
Hi Patty!
I looove clothes hung out. Smells wonderful! What a great idea. I should do this. I only buy the books I truly want to read too. Can’t afford to take a chance like I used to.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Like Stacy and Shari, I live close to work. Aside from that drive, I generally only drive for bowling and church since I still live at home and my parents do the majority of the shopping. But, even when I do go the store, they’re all within about a mile of where I live so I don’t have to go far.
While I haven’t really cut back on my book buying, I’ve been a bit more selective about picking up random books. I only get those that have really caught my interest, usually through excerpts and recommendations/reviews online. So, I’m still picking up new books from new authors, I’m not doing so on a whim.
Now, my parents bought a scooter for them to share since my dad works during the day and my mom works in the evening a few days a week. So, my dad rides the scooter to and from work and then my mom does the same. It has saved a lot on gas since my dad’s commute is 16 miles one way, 4 times what mine is. I’ve also convinced my parents to turn the thermostat up a few degrees so the AC doesn’t come on as much and doesn’t keep our house so cold. Besides, we have a basement that is always colder if we ever get really hot.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Hi Dianne,
I know switching out light bulbs for the energy efficient ones help. That and not just turning off, but unplugging electronics you’re not using. [Because otherwise *some* electric current is still running.] Also… I’ve taken to walking more. Walking to the library is a bit over 2 miles, which is totally doable. Of course where I live *everyone* drives *everywhere* so I get some funny looks - but there is a sidewalk, and not only am I saving on gas, I’m getting exercise.
Also, if I do want to go out - looking for food specials [often there are lunch/happy hour food specials.] I’m a still a student and I miss being in my undergrad college town for all the deals - but I think I’m used to being on a tight budget. Of course, the way things are now isn’t helping. For books - there are coupons for barnes and noble and borders almost constantly. And Amazon has the buy 4 get 1 free thing. With some careful planning I’ve saved a LOT on books.
July 18th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Ok, Dianne. I am from the South, not the Midwest. I gotta know what ‘corn hole’ is! :razz:
Because my commute is 60 miles round trip, 5 times a week I have started working from home twice a week. Nice, if you can do it!
I use coupons whenever possible and buy specials at the grocery store. And because a trip to town is such a long way, my friends and I carpool if we ahve to go to town on the weekends.
July 18th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Hi, Karin!
A scooter for mom and dad! How neat is that.
I’ve really been giving some thought to a scooter too. What fun and saves gas. :-) And I think I’d need a new scooter jacket. Is it one of those electric scooters you plug in?
July 18th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Hi Dianne,
How are things in Ohio? I only turn the AC on during the night so I can sleep comfortably. I’ve also been cutting and using a lot of coupons. I won’t be shopping for clothes unless there’s a big sale.
July 18th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Hi. Angie.
So nice you can work from home. I think a lot of companies are starting to do this and go to a four day workweek. I need to clip more coupons. My neighbor is the coupon queen! Good way to save lots of money.
July 18th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hi, limecello!
I’ve swithed out my light bulbs too. I live in the burbs and driving is a way of life. But at least stuff is pretty close. My kids live in town and love walking to the squares and out for dinner. I think there’s a real move to living back in the city.
Good luck with school. What is your major?
July 18th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Hi, Jane.
I so agree about the sales. I never buy anything unless it’s on sale. :idea:
It’s in the 90s today but my house has lots of trees so I’m not running the air yet, just fans. If it gets too bad in the evening I might do the AC then.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Hi Dianne,
My daughter and grandkids live about 30-45 mins away, but with gas prices, in order to see them often, I try to back off on special things for myself. I usually just the heat, but these past few days, I had to turn on the AC. I have a bad habit of leaving lights on in rooms I’m not in, but learing to turn them off more. I know there aremany other ways to save, so starting.
July 19th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Dianne,
I live in suburbia too. (Which is why the walking garners funny looks.) But - I enjoy it, and it gets me in practice for when I do visit big cities. For my major… law. Haha - undergrad was PoliSci and Chinese, and now I’m chasing after that elusive J.D.
This takes a bit of work - but ceiling fans can “replace” AC on moderate days, or on the super hot days, it takes a bit of the work off the AC too.
July 19th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Hi, Dina.
I skimp on some stuff so I can afford the things I want too and grandkids are so worth skimping for.
I turned on the AC today. 94! I love summer but 94 is a bit over the top for Cincy.
Stay cool.
Hugs, Dianne
July 19th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Hi, limecello.
Chinese! Wow! I cannot imagine a more difficult language. Have you been to China?
How much longer in law school. Where are you going to school? And you speaking Chinese and a law degree sets you up for a fab job! Exciting times ahead. Good luck and keep me posted.
Hugs, Dianne
July 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Ceiling fans would be great if my I had lights on my ceiling.