What are you doing to cope with the Recession? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 02-14-2009, 02:22 AM

What changes have you made in your life to cope with today's economy? Our income is solid, and I'm grateful for that. There's no worry about job security. Still, we're eating out less. We used to eat out twice a week. Now it's once a month and take-out instead. We try and buy more store brands in the grocery store and CVS. We still buy a lot of food, but I plan shopping with the weekly circular and coupons. I was never much of a bargain hunter, but now it's a hobby with me.

My husband watches gas prices like the stock market, lol. I find myself taking it easy on things. For example, I love Tropicana orange juice. We still buy it, but at almost 5 bucks a jug, I'm not drinking it like water anymore. Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is making me a Desperate Housewife, lol.

MickeyMac · 02-14-2009, 03:06 PM

I try to spend less and have been trying to save a little, since I am now one of the unemployed. Other than that I dont really panic or worry about it. I'm not in denial or anything, its just worrying about these things only brings more stress.

comedyfreak · 02-14-2009, 03:08 PM

I'm trying to spend less and cut back on my driving. I've been making dinner a lot more now.

catlover79 · 02-14-2009, 03:38 PM

I'm trying to save more money, and also not to take my job for granted.

comedyfreak · 02-14-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

not to take my job for granted.

Amen to that one, it's hard to do. I have to remind myself I'm still employed and have to ignore the annoyances.

ekkostar · 02-14-2009, 05:03 PM

As much as I love to buy new releases, I've cut down on my CD purchases and I'm not planning to buy many new albums that come out this year and wait for the leaks that come out instead. Don't get me wrong, I love to go to the independent music shop and buy used music, but I think I'm going to hold off this year so I can use my money for other things while I'm at school (Buying lunch during the day is getting darn expensive!).

MonarC · 02-14-2009, 05:07 PM

Well since the dollar keeps droping in value everyday we bought some silver so that it will hold it's value. (Since we bought, it has already gone up in value) Also we are buying in bulk at the grocery store and plan on starting our own veggie garden this spring. I don't see things getting better anytime soon.

Fleet · 02-14-2009, 05:53 PM

Nothing.
Except for possibly buying a pinball machine!

catlover79 · 02-14-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

Amen to that one, it's hard to do. I have to remind myself I'm still employed and have to ignore the annoyances.

Exactly - hard as it to do sometimes.

steevo · 02-14-2009, 09:33 PM

I am, regretfully, one of the down-sized in this downturn. I have been getting a severence package, so I'm OK, but still being quite frugal.

I will be finished with career school in a few weeks so I will be looking for a job. It is not going to be an easy task in this environment, but I have faith that I will be provided for.

Keeping the faith.

OH Nuts! · 02-14-2009, 09:48 PM

Thankfully, my jobs relatively secure but these days you just never know.

I'm doing all the above basically: what goes on sale at the grocery store is generally what I buy - since I like it all I just let the specials decide. I eat out A LOT LESS (may 30% as much as I used too) & pick cheaper places than I used to go to. No more DVD purchases for me. Store brands and Target runs. And re the juice, I mix it 1 part juice to 2 parts seltzer - as its too sweet for me "striaght up"

dawsongirl · 02-14-2009, 10:22 PM

Worry more.

OH Nuts! · 02-15-2009, 12:37 AM

And I stopped buying coffee in the morning. I bring a jar of instant and make a cup at work. The place I used to go to get fresh coffee raised their prices to 85 cents a sm. cup 7 mo ago. And 2 wks ago they raised the price again - to 95 cents. When that happened I said "enough" (someone forgot to tell the store we're in a recession.) The instant isn't quite as good as fresh, but its good enough and A LOT cheaper.

Doodyville10019 · 02-15-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I'm trying to save more money, and also not to take my job for granted.

So are we. My husband works in retail, and his hours have been cut in almost half. Since it's only the two of us, we only go out to eat once a month (if we're lucky), plus we only shop for groceries once a month. We both do a lot of brown bagging of lunches.

PZelda · 02-15-2009, 01:28 AM

My mom adapted a green way of living before it was trendy, back when my sibs and I were very young kids in the 80s. So she passed on her traditions to me while I was growing up, and I've adapted these. So I have not changed much about what I do in this time.

- Buy store brands.

- Watch for sales, and stock up on sale items.

- Use coupons.

- Don't eat out much.

- Prepare my own work lunches at home, instead of buying something laden with sodium and calories.

- I have been drinking coffee for nearly 20 years, and much prefer coffee at home to takeout coffee.

- Oh, and portion sizes. I cut down to make things last longer.

02-14-2009, 02:22 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	What are you doing to cope with the Recession? What changes have you made in your life to cope with today's economy? Our income is solid, and I'm grateful for that. There's no worry about job security. Still, we're eating out less. We used to eat out twice a week. Now it's once a month and take-out instead. We try and buy more store brands in the grocery store and CVS. We still buy a lot of food, but I plan shopping with the weekly circular and coupons. I was never much of a bargain hunter, but now it's a hobby with me. My husband watches gas prices like the stock market, lol. I find myself taking it easy on things. For example, I love Tropicana orange juice. We still buy it, but at almost 5 bucks a jug, I'm not drinking it like water anymore. Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is making me a Desperate Housewife, lol.

02-14-2009, 03:08 PM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I'm trying to spend less and cut back on my driving. I've been making dinner a lot more now.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

02-14-2009, 03:38 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I'm trying to save more money, and also not to take my job for granted.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

02-14-2009, 05:03 PM	#6
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	As much as I love to buy new releases, I've cut down on my CD purchases and I'm not planning to buy many new albums that come out this year and wait for the leaks that come out instead. Don't get me wrong, I love to go to the independent music shop and buy used music, but I think I'm going to hold off this year so I can use my money for other things while I'm at school (Buying lunch during the day is getting darn expensive!).
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...

02-14-2009, 05:53 PM	#8
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Nothing. Except for possibly buying a pinball machine!
	__________________ 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine.

02-14-2009, 03:06 PM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I try to spend less and have been trying to save a little, since I am now one of the unemployed. Other than that I dont really panic or worry about it. I'm not in denial or anything, its just worrying about these things only brings more stress.

02-14-2009, 05:07 PM	#7
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Well since the dollar keeps droping in value everyday we bought some silver so that it will hold it's value. (Since we bought, it has already gone up in value) Also we are buying in bulk at the grocery store and plan on starting our own veggie garden this spring. I don't see things getting better anytime soon.

02-14-2009, 09:33 PM	#10
steevo It is Green Senior Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,476	I am, regretfully, one of the down-sized in this downturn. I have been getting a severence package, so I'm OK, but still being quite frugal. I will be finished with career school in a few weeks so I will be looking for a job. It is not going to be an easy task in this environment, but I have faith that I will be provided for. Keeping the faith.
	__________________ "God be gracious to us and bless us..." Psalm 67:1

02-14-2009, 09:48 PM	#11
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Thankfully, my jobs relatively secure but these days you just never know. I'm doing all the above basically: what goes on sale at the grocery store is generally what I buy - since I like it all I just let the specials decide. I eat out A LOT LESS (may 30% as much as I used too) & pick cheaper places than I used to go to. No more DVD purchases for me. Store brands and Target runs. And re the juice, I mix it 1 part juice to 2 parts seltzer - as its too sweet for me "striaght up"
	Last edited by OH Nuts!; 02-15-2009 at 12:34 AM.

02-14-2009, 10:22 PM	#12
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Worry more.

02-15-2009, 12:37 AM	#13
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	And I stopped buying coffee in the morning. I bring a jar of instant and make a cup at work. The place I used to go to get fresh coffee raised their prices to 85 cents a sm. cup 7 mo ago. And 2 wks ago they raised the price again - to 95 cents. When that happened I said "enough" (someone forgot to tell the store we're in a recession.) The instant isn't quite as good as fresh, but its good enough and A LOT cheaper.

02-15-2009, 01:28 AM	#15
PZelda Two Valeries! <3 Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 15, 2002 Location: I'm STILL missing NYC. :( Posts: 78,223	My mom adapted a green way of living before it was trendy, back when my sibs and I were very young kids in the 80s. So she passed on her traditions to me while I was growing up, and I've adapted these. So I have not changed much about what I do in this time. - Buy store brands. - Watch for sales, and stock up on sale items. - Use coupons. - Don't eat out much. - Prepare my own work lunches at home, instead of buying something laden with sodium and calories. - I have been drinking coffee for nearly 20 years, and much prefer coffee at home to takeout coffee. - Oh, and portion sizes. I cut down to make things last longer.
	__________________ Cheers behind the couch!