Are you spending less?

[IrregularPulse]

We are definitely spending less on stuff and more on us. We used to eat out a lot but seldom do now and when we do it's because we have a gift card from christmas or a birthday or some other holiday. We spend more on ourselves in terms of our savings account. We are still both in our jobs, but mine is in relative jeopardy. Survived 2 layoffs in the past 6 months. Hopefully they're all done, but the general vibe in the office isn't good. ****ty Management is running a wonderful world preferred Brand name into the ground to save $0.30 in china. It's very sad. Can't say I wouldn't jump ship if an opportunity presented itself, but I have to stay where I'm at until forced out. Wife is a teacher so we're not really concerned about her. We're just trying to pay down debts and pay up our savings.

 

[FireBrewer]

Definitely spending less. I'm not worried about getting laid off (especially when there's a shortage at my job), but my wife works part-time. And I'm not getting any raises for the next year and probably not the wife either.

 

[McKBrew]

Fortunately having a secure job (AKA the US Navy), I don't have to worry about the threat of getting laid off. During times like now, having that bit of security is pretty much worth all the BS and job dissatisfaction I've had for my job over the last 17 years. Therefore, my spending habits haven't changed much.

I honestly feel for those of you who have lost your jobs or have to worry about losing jobs. It must really suck. Good luck to you guys and gals, and I hope things work out for you.

 

[olllllo]

Not spending less. Spending different.

 

[UnaBonger]

Not spending less. Spending different.

+1. Same here. Not necessarily spending less, but spending differently. Less eating out, less drinking out, etc...

I am concerned about the economy. I think it will eventually straighten itself out but how long this drags out is what I don't know (or anyone knows for that matter). I think that things are going to get worse, before they get better...

I blame corporate greed for this mess we're in...

 

[nvr2low]

He said he charged 24K, not that it was debt. Gotta rack up those miles baby. In the Pol's case I'm not sure why he would need them.

SWMBO and i are actually spending more. We both finally have decent out of college jobs and are almost done paying off our during college credit card debts. We are being frugal though because we have practically no savings as of yet since we just started off and would like to have some backup in case something happens. We haven't charged anything sans online purchases to credit cards in 3 months and have used our debit card for everything. It does feel good to finally be making more per month than we spend.

im in pretty much the same situation. both the swmbo and i have jobs that should last through any economic hard ships we shouldnt have to worry too much. now we spend a lot, but most of it is going to get all our dept paid off, anything we buy now is cash only.

 

[wildwest450]

Not to be a ******, but im thriving right now! Spending $350 a month on gas instead of $1000. Most of my work accounts (small grocery stores) are seeing good profit increases due to the fact people are cutting back on restaurants and eating at home more. Swmbo's booked 6+ months ahead for her customers (not a hooker a cosmetologist). I know it's hard times for some, but im ok for now.

 

[Homercidal]

I'm on 32 hours a week until things pick up, and my wife got a salary reduction by 30%. So, now we have to be careful what we spend. It's not like I WANT to cut back. I'm just hoping that there are enough people out there willing to spend their extra money to buy cars and other things and get this economy back on track.

 

[Buford]

I guess I'm kinda lucky. My wife works in a university library that isn't going anywhere considering the kind of bling bling that college pulls down (and her boss is the pres of the American Library Association to boot), and I work as a web monkey and sysadmin type for a company handling 10 of their clients (out of a total of 13). I doubt they'll be throwing me out on my arse anytime soon, especially considering that I've been there nearly a decade and know the ins and outs of how most of the baling-wire-and-duct-tape "cross your fingers and hope it doesn't break" software and hardware setup the company runs on works and the black magic necessary to keep it working or fix it when it doesn't.

knock on wood

 

[DeathBrewer]

I bought a new truck last year and I regularly spend money on brewing equipment, but that's lots of second-hand stuff, for the most part.

I probably have spent less on going out to bars, tho. Not necessarily because of the money, but I'm just sick of that scene.

I've never spent a lot of money...I buy all my furniture, electronics, even my clothes used.

 

[david_42]

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.

 

[Papinquack]

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.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

Be honest... the economy is in the crapper, people are losing jobs. Are you and your family spending LESS than you were 1 year ago? 2 years ago?

I will be honest, we are not. Granted we have always lived on a necessity driven budget for a long time. As the "house banker" and the one making all financial decisions I will say that we have not spent LESS, but we have been making our money go further. How about you?

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.

 

[0202]

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.

 

[r2eng]

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.