Unusual things people are going without in this economy

[Immy]

Saw two news items recently about expenses people are doing without in these tough times - birth control pills and car insurance. Heard of any others?

[RPG]

Saw two news items recently about expenses people are doing without in these tough times - birth control pills and car insurance. Heard of any others?

FOOD

[pygmy]

Because my hands are arthritic I've always wanted an electric can opener but have resisted buying one.
I think this is unusual.

[Cappy Z.]

Because my hands are arthritic I've always wanted an electric can opener but have resisted buying one.
I think this is unusual.

Your arthritis is in your head....trust me. lol.

[shaun7]

I haven't had any Caviar for a week

[RPG]

I haven't had any Caviar for a week

Yeah, me too. Beer comes before caviar.

[Saturna]

I'm betting alcohol and cigarettes are coming before a lot of other things.

[RPG]

I'm betting alcohol and cigarettes are coming before a lot of other things.

Sad aint it.

[Siegfried Schlagrule]

Because my hands are arthritic I've always wanted an electric can opener but have resisted buying one.
I think this is unusual.

If you will take a shallow dish of golden raisens and cover them in gin until
the gin evaporates a small spoon full of raisens per day will help your arthritus more than celebrex without the bad side effects. siegfried schlagrule

[shaun7]

In all seriousness, it is extremely tough at the moment

[RPG]

In all seriousness, it is extremely tough at the moment

Why, the economy has recovered. At least that's what they're saying.

My bank account hasn't seen it yet.

[Immy]

In all seriousness, it is extremely tough at the moment

Thanks Shaun, that's why I brought this up.

[shaun7]

In all seriousness, it is extremely tough at the moment

Why, the economy has recovered. At least that's what they're saying.

My bank account hasn't seen it yet.

The last year has been bad, but the last 2 months have been the worst

I don't know how they can say the economy has recovered Mind you I am in the UK, but I think we're all in
the same boat!

[pygmy]

I hope it doesn't affect my health but I've been forced to eat canned food instead of fresh or frozen.
This has reduced my power bill as I've turned my freezer off and also canned food comes pre-cooked.

[Smee]

In all seriousness, it is extremely tough at the moment

Why, the economy has recovered. At least that's what they're saying.

My bank account hasn't seen it yet.

It can't be, the recession is over! The economists said so: http://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/oct/16/long-way-go/

Friday, October 16, 2009

"If you missed the news this week, a leading group of economists announced that the recession is over. At least on paper. Although a survey by the National Association for Business Economics found that 80 percent of economists say the recession is over, few of those economists believe a recovery is right around the corner."

Actually, according to Forbes, it ended back in May of 2009: http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/rec...recession.html

So, go figure . . . Are we doing so well we don't realize it? All those economists couldn't be wrong, could they?

Then again, maybe that's what they were told to say.

[AU24K]

I miss an occasional quality cigar.
Scott

[mikeofaustin]

I miss an occasional quality cigar.
Scott

Unemployed here, but I'm a fighter (started my own biz, although very low pay).

I personally have been mosquito bit every day from opening the windows and doing without the central air. I rarely turn on the TV and every light in the house is out except the room I'm in. And I go without showers for sometimes 4 to 5 days at a time... EEK! My grass completely died in the summer, and I've taken to buying top ramen by the case, and unfortunately, I still do by my bottle every now and again to keep me sane (I used to go to the local bar 3 to 4 times a week, but now their lucky if they see me once a month. It's a good compromise buying bottom shelf liquor for 10 bucks a week, versus 250 bucks a week at the local bar (really). I rarely drive anywhere, but when I do, it's almost like an anxiety attack because I feel like I'm learning to drive all over again.

-Never once in my life payed for cable TV.
-Always buy food by the ounce versus by the product... If it's over 20 cents per ounce, you better NEED it. Under 10 cents an ounce is fare game.
-I have the 'emergency phone line' from the local phone company versus the standard house hold line which is much, much more cheaper, which equates to about 12 a month (plus extra fees). I'm actually thinking about canning that altogether because callcentric.com has a VOIP line for about $2 a month! (PM me if you want more info on that. I currently have a $2 a month fax line, and a $4 a month 800 number for my biz).
-My cell phone bill is a 'pay-as-you-go' service, and because all my friends are on the same network, it's only a dollar a day "IF" I use it that day. I can go for 4 months on just 30 bucks.
(cell phones are handy in case of emergency, or that potential employer calls). (my pay per use is on att).
-Learning to bake your own bread is awesome (a current and long time hobby of mine). Flour makes bread, tortillas, pie crusts, bagels and pasta (and much more). It's very, very cheap compared to store bought product. It just takes some time in the kitchen.
-Steel gas from the neighbors vehicles... (of course I'm kidding).

But, in all, I've got my minimal budget down pact, and I'll be o.k just as long as I follow it. It won't be for at least another 9 months (on my current plan), that I'll need to move in with my family and lose everything I own, if I don't have a job by then... so I still have 'some' hope.

...and BTW, I think that if we can all pitch in a dollar for a good cause (to buy an electric can opener for a good TNET friend of ours that has arthritis), carma just might pay us back.... what do you think?

I'll start it by saying that you can donate a dollar if you go to " http://www.pcb-experts.com/contact-us.html " go to the bottom of the page and hit the 'pay now'. If everyone donates a dollar (heck, can openers aren't that expensive), I'll take it upon myself to send him the can opener... (and if not enough donate, I'll refund your money). My uncle had arthritis, and it's a real pain in the rear.

[lonesomebob]

Well I am not down to canned dog food sandwiches yet, but I have gone to blended scotch,rather than single malt. Actually I have seen elderly people on almost no money ,use Pard on bread(day old)for food. Just remember, a shotgun ,a rifle and a four wheel drive, this country boy wil survive. Four wheel drive is optional. I have boots and snow shoes. and a flintlock. Maybe Monty should eat those Squirrles.

[RPG]

In all seriousness, it is extremely tough at the moment

Why, the economy has recovered. At least that's what they're saying.

My bank account hasn't seen it yet.

The last year has been bad, but the last 2 months have been the worst

I don't know how they can say the economy has recovered Mind you I am in the UK, but I think we're all in
the same boat!

No matter how hard it gets, don't sell the XP. I see a very large hoard in your future.

[shaun7]

In all seriousness, it is extremely tough at the moment

Why, the economy has recovered. At least that's what they're saying.

My bank account hasn't seen it yet.

The last year has been bad, but the last 2 months have been the worst

I don't know how they can say the economy has recovered Mind you I am in the UK, but I think we're all in
the same boat!

No matter how hard it gets, don't sell the XP. I see a very large hoard in your future.

It won't come to that don't worry