What Have You Stopped Doing Since The Economy Got Really Bad?

I was just thinking of some things I haven't done since before the fall because of the economy, feel free to add to my list! Most of these things I haven't done because I've been cutting back money-

- Gone to a museum
- Gone to Friendly's just for a banana split
- Bought Starbucks more than once a week (right now it's once every two-three weeks)
- Bought a CD or movie
- Gone to an amusement park
- Driven around aimlessly
- Gone to an antiques store
- Until yesterday I hadn't gone to Borders to buy a book since early fall
- Gone to a concert or play
- Gone to the movies

I'll probably edit to add more. What about you guys?

Interesting,

Ive stopped telling people it was going to happen lol, even though Banging on about it for nearly a decade.

They now say things to me, with that same wild look they accused me of having in my eyes "Nuggets" of Info on the next thing happening within the economy.

Ive run the race and I am just watching people on the starting blocks startled as they realise they have to run it with no shoes and the gun was soo unexpected.

They though think its a relay race and glancing back over my shoulder on my solitary marathon, I see one or two with no one to pass the baton onto.

Kind Regards,

Elf

[edit on 15-1-2009 by MischeviousElf]

I have cut house spending more than half, I guess one of the reasons the economy is doing this bad is because many Americans has done the same, when is not confidence in spending people do not invest in the economy.

reply to post by marg6043


Where have you cut your spending the most?
Most of mine qualify as entertainment, but also food. I've been trying to cook more myself and buy less packaged stuff because then I have more leftovers, but I'm changing that back because fresh ingredients are so expensive. I've also been conserving gas/milage on my car.

I used to fly back and forth across the US three or four times a year on business. Now....what's the point? My business tanked last year. I'm goin Chapter 13. I never drive unless absolutly nessessary. No vacations.
No weekend fishing trips. Now that I'm workin for the man; that's all I do, except for the www.

As for my household, we decided that 200 channels worth of tv was not all that important, so we had our dish disconnected...

Groceries, gas, leisure traveling (we have not traveled anymore the way we used too), we have cut a lot on entertaining.

Right now we are trying to pay all our bills with some of my husband retirement account in case the economy just gets worst that already is and my husband job is lost due to government cuts in defense spending.

So far under the Bush administration my husband has been doing better than many because the defese budget.

reply to post by Greenize


I know a lot of people who have premium channels or HBO are canceling it. We never had HBO or Cinemax to begin with, but I definitely wouldn't get it now.

reply to post by whaaa


I'm sorry, that's harsh stuff. At least you have the internet, though. I hope you can go fishing soon, that shouldn't be super expensive, right?

Ive actually not changed anything.

Actually, i've spent more money, upgraded my xbox, bought loads of games, spent ALOT of money during xmas...

Take my gf out for expensive dinners...

i'm not rich either, i just don't really care, i spend money if i have it.


Things always work out for me, because i have an unconcious positive mindset that i will always have enough to survive, and it has always come through for me, I've gone through some hard times, times where i was really worried i won't make the rent, but as usual, i come across some cash just in time to pay the rent.

reply to post by marg6043


Due to my dad's re-unemployment, we might have to start cracking in to my mom's retirement fund, soon.
I understand about the traveling- we're not taking any trips anymore, either. My mom goes down to Florida to see her parents (Grandpa has cancer) and I spend all the money I get for special occasions to go visit my boyfriend in Maryland. Other than that, we haven't gone anywhere besides visiting family on holidays for years, unless the expenses have been paid by other family members.

I actually said in another thread that in the grocery store, I've never seen so many parents telling their kids that they can't get an extra box of cereal or a candybar...

My husband works in retail, hours and salary has been cut in half.

We are trying not to loose the car, have two payday loans we can not get out of.

We have not gone out to eat but once in the last year, did not buy Christmas presents this year for anyone, Have not bought clothing shoes etc that we need.

We still buy food as that is a priority, but that is all. No travel, no eating out,
no shopping, no movies. Its boring as hell.
Also have had to cut out medical visits. The 20 percent up front is just too much for a specialist.

It makes me mad. Where he works he has high seniority , but it does not matter.
They will not lay off, and instead cut every ones hours to make the bottom line look better. I used to think unions were a bad thing, until I see what happens when you do not have them.

Pets still eating good though. Will always give them high quality food, even if I have to eat less.

reply to post by Gears Of War


Ahhh yeah, I have bought ONE video game in the past year.

I went out in October for a really nice dinner with my boyfriend, and we went out somewhere nice for my mom's birthday, but to fund those, we're eating out less in general- even fast food.

It's good that you're living the same, though. It must really help the stress.

I can tell that one place that has gotten a boom of shoppers are the salvation army and the goodwill, at least here in my neck of the woods.

people are starting to find the benefits of second hand shopping.

I have definitely cut back on the "bad" habits...




I feared this downturn in the economy, but now - I'm 10 lbs. lighter as the Brew had to be severly cut back, as well as the dank...

[snip]
Yay for a crappy economy!!




The Discussion Of "Illegal Activity" On The Above Network Sites


[edit on 15-1-2009 by dbates]

Well, one thing I cut back on is worrying. Now that global consumption of Earths limited resources is on the decline, I don't worry so much about the fate of our planet and ecology. I mean, I still worry, but not quite as much as before.

This economic crash is like a wish come true for me. Once the economy has totally crashed, we can start working on population cutbacks next.

I like to take this opportunity to thank all ye humans for your thoughtful considerate cutbacks and reduction in consumption. Give all yourselves a well deserved pat on the back, while you still have a chance to do so.

I never go out to eat...i don't get to "buy" things anymore like dvd, cds, computer games, etc. I never go out to eat anymore...i can't justify it when i can eat at home for cheaper. My family actually skipped Christmas this year and didn't buy each other anything...except for the kids of course. I literally had nothing to open for christmas....except for socks...who doesn't get socks right?

The thing is...it doesn't bother me all that much that i can't do most of those things like i was because in reality i never really needed them anyway.

I will say that i have sneaked to the movie theatre a few times...have to get out sometime without it being work.

I still have internet though. It will be a sad day if i have to give it up.

reply to post by amatrine


Wow, I never really considered that it might have been better for my dad to be laid off than to get his hours super-cut.

Aww, my pets are still eating well, too. And they're getting vet care more than we're getting specialist care. My wisdom teeth need to come out soon, so my mom put her dental work aside (she needs a lot of bridges and things). I was also supposed to see an immunologist a year ago but we just can't pay for it right now, and I'm doing a little better. I mean, I went to see a dentist to look for where the pain is coming from, not even my usual dentist, he wanted to test tooth sensitivity- $95.

In Connecticut, the car/personal property tax is tremendous. We're thinking of getting rid of a car, too.

I really overspent for Christmas this year. I wanted to make everyone feel better, so I bought them too much =(

Oops.

reply to post by marg6043


Actually, one of the really big goodwill type thrift stores near where my boyfriend lives closed. It seems really ironic.

We are actually spending more

We live well within our means
We live in a house that has a fixed mortgage and a in a good market that has actually seen a rise in property value not a loss
We do not have a car payment (We paid cash for our Hybrid)
We use our credit cards alot, but carry NO balance.
We both work in a recession proof industry that has a shortage even now (Registered Nurses)

We have embarked on a remodel and other activities like changing out the TV's etc. We are findign that retailers and contractors are much mroe willing to cut deals with those willing to spend some money.