Are you spending less?

Personal expenses have been about the same for the last three years, other than dumping my medical insurance last summer. 82% increase in three years (with NO claims), I couldn't keep it.

 

I fall into the times are tuff category. I work in a cemetery and even though I've been there 15 years I'm only considered Senior Seasonal and that means you get laid off for the winter. I got laid off as I normally do this year but in light of the way things are going with the economy I'm kinda worried that management may be tempted to possibly pull a manuver. We are due to renew our contract in April and common sense dictates that you look at the situation as it is and what it might become. Most of the money the cemetery makes comes from endowments which are in turn are heavily invested in the stock market and we all know how that has been going. In addition I know the old saying "People are just dying to get in" but this insn't reality. We dont get a whole bunch of internments (graves) like we used to. Dying costs alot of money and most people aren't financially prepared so they opt for the cheaper cremation service. What really scares me though is that My big boss called me (He never calls me)to let me know that another cemetery in the area was looking for someone to be second in command. It's not for me though, the job requires you to live in the cemetery house. I just bought a house this June so thats not doing me any good... So with one foot grounded in reality there could be trouble ahead and the on other foot there may not? I cant change a damn thing so I'll continue to live in the present and roll with the punches.

 

I've cut back as much as I can, but since prices on everything have gone up so much, I'm spending about the same, or even more in some cases, than before I started cutting back. Dammit! GF.

 

Got laid off. Now in a job that pays ~33% less.

I certainly buy off brand things now, forgo more
expensive luxuries, drive less, cook more. Haven't
bought any clothes, shoes, etc in a while.

Buy commercial brew MUCH less.

I just got into the hobby and had to go against my
better judgment to pick up extra equipment and
enough ingredients to get my first brew going.

Now I'm choc full of reasons to spend cash and have
negative funds to spend.

At least I've got 42 beers bottle conditioning.

 

As a small business owner, we have cut back on personal expenses. We have dropped our salaries to help ensure the company makes it, which means quite a bit less $ in our pockets.

I have cash reserves, no debt except for the house payment, but I worry how long it will go and how bad it will get.