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The economy isn't the only thing that's sagging — so are faces, breasts and bellies as would-be cosmetic surgery patients increasingly opt against costly nips and tucks because of tough financial times.
What are you cutting back on these days? msnbc.com would like to know.
Driving a lot less. Shopping at a cheaper grocery store. Eatining out much less often. Renting movies and never going to movie theaters. Supplementing my mother's income with my social security check, so as to pay her assisted living rent. Will probably shop minimally for Christmas gifts, as we also did last year.
#1 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 1:46 PM EDTI am not cutting back on anything. I save my money. I don't go out and buy things I don't need. I have everything I need today a little bit more but I also treat myself first to something nice when I get paid or something nice for my wife. I always save 5 to 8% of my check and it builds up over time. With me and my wife both working, we're making enough to get by. I was poor once in my life but that was due to alcohol addiction and I don't miss it five years later. We're not rich by any means but we're okay for today and that's good.
#2 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 1:51 PM EDTAnthony... I'm a recovering alcoholic of 20+ years and still have accumulated little except the equity in my home. Some of the problems that alcohol brings, can stay with us long after we have stopped drinking. Consider yourself fortunate to have done so well in only 5 years of sobriety. Quitting alcohol does not mean the rest of the world will be at your feet.
Congrad's Anthony on beating the addiction and getting the finances in the black. With the new ideology you're living by, I'm confident that when the market turns back, you'll be poised to jump on it perfectly.
Have plenty at home, no need to shop. We only eat out Sunday breakfast so no big change. Have been driving my son's car to work while he is in college that gets much better mileage. Netflix is great, the popcorn cheap and nobody talks during the movie!
#3 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:01 PM EDTUnfortunately, I can no longer afford to get my hair colored professionally and I cut my pedicures down to every other month. I eat out less often but this is okay because I eat healthier when I make it myself. My son will not be able to go on the overnight trip with his orchestra because I just can't afford the $500. We didn't take even one family weekend trip to the gulf this summer. This is just a short list.
#4 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:09 PM EDTWe are only using one car most days since we both work near home. The only other thing I've cut back on is buying the cheap hot dogs and store brand rolls. In fact I like them bothe better.
Like Anthony, since I've stopped drinking my finances have been much better
#5 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:15 PM EDTMy family and I have stopped eating out and we have cut back our grocery spending as well. We drive less and have cut back the premium channels from our satelite provider and cut back the phone service to basic. We've also cut down our cell phone plans to minimum minutes needed. We dropped the newspaper and magazines and now get our news online instead. We cut back our clothing budgets to bare minimum and try to fix everything ourselves that might break.
#6 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:18 PM EDTWe've almost always worked within a fairly strict budget so when times are tough like this, we've really not had to alter too much, other than to "opt out" of some luxuries. My wife stays home with the kids and my company allows me to telecommute 3x a week, so that alone saves on like $20/wk in gas + dry cleaning, etc...
I've always lived a frugal life, even when times are good, so instead of saving say...30-40% of the AGI/year, we're just putting aside like 10% this year.
(But then again, we don't have some of the "toys" that are neighbors have, and our cars are 3 and 7 years old respectively.)
#7 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:18 PM EDTDriving less and trying to do more things/stops on each trip. Whenever possible we use our Hybrid Camry (40 plus mpg, and 35-38 at 75-80 on the highway using regular), avoid using our minivan (Ford - 19 mpg). Eat out less and at less expensive places. Shop for sales even on groceries and don't buy things that are not really needed. Skipped vacation this year. Put off home improvements that were not necessary; replaced the carpets in our flooded basement by dealing directly with the mills and hiring an installer instead of working with local carpet sellers (saved $1300 on a job that ended up costing $3600).
The irony of much of this cutting back is that spending less is going to drive others out of business, which will further fuel the current economic crises.
#8 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:26 PM EDTI work far from where I live (25 minute drive on a tolled road) and my friends also live on that side of town. I actually bring a change of clothes in the car so that I can get out of my work clothes to see my friends (I dont have to drive back home). I drive a little less. I have stopped shopping for clothes for at least 3 months at a time (trying to do it longer). Turn the thermastat to 86 when I am not home. Drink mostly water. Dont go out to eat anymore. Its a pain the butt and I am trying to look at the bright side of these dark times.
#9 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:30 PM EDTWe usually take 2 to 3 trips to the beach every summer but that didn't happen this year. We eat out less and shop for groceries at Wal-Mart instead of a Winn Dixie because of the price differences. My wife has been riding her moped to work instead of her car on the days she doesn't have to pick kids up from day care. Christmas will definitely be less extravagant this year, even more so than last year. We are also holding off on purchasing a new car to replace a 9 year old car as well as putting off some home repairs until we can pay for these up front. Mostly we are concentrating our finances on paying off any remaining unsecured debt to give us greater peace of mind and increase our savings.
#10 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:30 PM EDTEverything....except breathing.
#11 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 2:50 PM EDTDitto!
Already turned off the DirectTV in the spring, been shopping at low income grocery store for food, havent gone to China Mart since last Christmas, havent gone out to eat in years, just got the natural gas bill payed off from last winter ($700 to get it current), drive only to and from work, (2miles), drive a 10 yr old car that needs tires, 2 months behind on mortgage, went 5yr without pay raise, owed $250.00 in Federal taxes, my wife (she works) and I just had our 20th anniversary!. Guess this is the American Dream?
Yes, where have thos pay raises gone? Riding my bike to the store when I might have just jumped into the car and driven down to get a thing or two and we are curtailing the Christmas spending. We buy what we need, so will save our Christmas money instead. We'll have more of an old fashioned Christmas, probably watch "Its a Wonderful Life " several times so we realize we still have it way better than lots of folks out there. Hope things get better soon, there are lots of folks on the edge of losing things they have to have!
Dorko,
You have a roof over your head, a vehicle to drive in, regardless the age, you are able to speak your mind on a board such as this without having government officials bust down your doors, you are eating food daily (I presume), and I'm guessing (to a degree) you picked your profession (meaning the government didn't dictate the type of work you will do for them, oh...and you chose your spouse and weren't dictated by government or family line who you will marry, regardless your desire.
That is the American dream...what we're going through right now is simply the after effects of a few bubbles that were built without any foundation under them. You can only blow a ballon up so far before it'll pop...welcome to the 'pop'. We went through one in 2002, the early 70's (as my father tells me), and a few others before then.
But having to turn off your DirectTV, having to skip "China Mart", not having waiters wait on you, and having a car that isn't the latest and greatest" has nothing to do with the American Dream...heck even Warren Buffet drives an older car than you do.
I only stated what I have given up... I still have a roof, a job, a car, a wife... I am on my 3rd career, the early 80's took my 1st career, NAFTA took my second career. I am only stating facts. What have you given up was the question. I dont care what Warren Buffet drives.
I understand the sacrifices, being in IT I've had my share of jobs transferred overseas...I just see too many people these days confuse the intent of "The American Dream" with what it is perceived to be today.
Having great grandparents that came here from Scotland in search of all that American had/has to offer, it pains my heart to hear people try to equate having a house, a car, medical insurance as the new American Dream.
As such, when I noticed your, "Guess this is the American Dream?" quote, with the obviously sarcastic overtones, I felt compelled to remind you of how great you still do have it...a quick trip to the Middle East would quickly remind anyone of that fact...
Shawn, I am losing my share of the "American Dream" a little at at time, I no longer can plan for or think about the things my parents or grandparents did. Sure I can agree that in our eyes we have it better than the middle east, and most countries of the world, but in their eyes, not all of them, we should be killed for the way we live. They live the way they live because of religion.
Shawn, I now work in IT also.
Shawn, with all dur respect I don't think a self described frugal liver, who in a bad year still saves 10% , and has the luxury of telecommuting has much voice here. The question is about what you have given up, not to boast about how little you can live on or what is the AM Dream as defined by anyone. We could all go find a homeless shelter, that's not the point. It's where are the cuts in your budget? You are saving less, others are doing without much less than they are accustomed.
The article about breast surgery is a great joke to me. I can imagine how many 18 yo high school grads aren;t getting their new nose jobs, boobs or eye laser vision surgery!
My family is doing what it seems alot of familes are. We are not eating out, we usually go on 2-3 camping trips throughout the summer; we did not do that this year. Our son is even taking his own lunch to school these days. Cell phones are getting shut off. We are having to just evaluate everywhere we can save. My husband is a private landscaper and I am an office manager in a housing construction office. My husband is down to just a couple of clients on an as needed basis and I have had my hours cut from 40 to 24. We are not sure when this is going to get turned around but pray it is soon! Still smiling and have hope, we are seeing what is really important and what was just extras.
#12 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 3:16 PM EDTAs I always have, I carry a sandwich to work every day, saving $25/week on lunch. Don't eat out much. Pay for the kids school lunch program. Nutritious hot meal hassel free for $ can't beat that. Rent movies and recreate out doors. Shop at area thrift stores, and don't buy into all this crisis bull.
Always have believed that this is all mannipulated circumstance for someone else's greed. I am sure the 700b will disappear without a trace before Christmass. Meanwhile us tax payers will be burdened with all the @!$%# paper the feds are going to buy from the big banks. One by one the states will reach for their hand out until Americia is completely broke. Then we will see which foreign power comes out on top. That is when we will know who has been pulling all the strings.
#13 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 3:16 PM EDTDriving significantly less and spending for only fuel, groceries and college related expenses for our teens and those $'s have to absolutely be worth it. Biggest expense is flying them home for the holidays.
Not the least bit surprised about current economic events. A cashless society is just around the corner and most don't even see it coming.
#14 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 3:18 PM EDTRather than focusing on what we're cutting back on why not make it a learning point and stop living beyond our means? Christmas shopping is a huge waste of money. Give freely of your time & love year round and celebrate the holiday season for its true meaning.
#15 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 3:40 PM EDTI'm a saver and have no debt. I live well within my means so this economy isn't affecting me much at all. I am out of work and it may take longer to find a job in this economy. I have noticed I don't hop into my car as often and I tend to cluster my errands or plan well when I do get in the car.
#16 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 3:41 PM EDTEnjpying life as I knew it thanks to our fat cats on Wall St. and Politicians in DC!
#17 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 3:54 PM EDTLucky for me - I'm divorced, live alone. My rent just went up $60/month cause I got a good raise (+more work). I haven't really cut back on anything yet. I'm too poor to worry about cutting back. I have nothing to cut back on! Everything I buy is needed, no luxuries. Things ain't changing much for me! Like I told a (wealthy) friend who is really worried about his money - When you got nothing you got nothing to lose. So I guess I am lucky!!
#18 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 4:09 PM EDTLet's see...since loosing my job at the first of the year we've been forced out of a town we all enjoyed living in. I've taken a job in the middle of no where making less money. Our home is being forclosed because we haven't been able to sell it. We've given up pop and most snacks in our house and my wife and I have given up more than one meal so our kids had enough to eat. We've gone from being one of those that regularly helped out by donating to things like the food bank to turning to one ourselves to be albe to put food on the table. We're behind on our utilities, rent and car payment. But other than that life if just grand.
#19 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 4:39 PM EDTNo more hard drugs and hookers for me...
#20 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 4:46 PM EDTSure, we all might be giving up some pricey items or travel but I hate it when I hear a young reporter saying that things are nearly as bad as the Great Depression....Give me a break!!! Look how well we live and what we have compared to many of those poor souls out on the streets selling apples and pencils and eating "stone soup". We have it so damn good that some belt tightening will be great for many of us. Heck, maybe a few people will learn to eat better and less and lose a few pounds. Look around at the size of some of our citizens and compare them to 40-75 years ago. Sad!!
#21 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 4:51 PM EDTRe-Our size. Woohoo. I guess when I was at the box mart the fella thought I was feeding a family. He pointed me to a large bag of 20 sausage patties! I then looked around and got the box of 10 small links. that will last little me 3-5 breakfasts and I don't eat sausage every morning-- oatmeal is where it's at!
Thank you clemente for understanding my position...we're dealing now with "had to give up my lawn service, blockbuster account, pool guy, cell phone, internet access" where as Americans used to have to figure how to find stuff to burn for heat, how to live with minimal.
Look, I'm not wishing for any harm to come to anyone, but seriously guys - when we're comparing having to shop at non-fancy stores with having to go a day or two without food, and having someone call that even remotely similar...people are just foolish.
Times ARE tough, but we have to keep things in perspective here people.
Well, yeah, with little to cut back on what can I do? Under 50, Disabled on SSDI under 20G, no picnic even with Medicaire. Working on 6 more months to be free of past Medical and CC debt which will make things less tight. So, I have forgone Physical therapy treatments for a new nerve problem because it would end up costing me at least $60 a week & 20 more for gas. That's nearly double my food budget. Perhaps my MD will give me another 10 days on oral steroids--cost $2 and jangled nerves.
I really only think about what food, gas and heat will cost, everything else has been scaled back for a long time. I never go to movie theaters but pay $12 monthly to B Buster Online which allows me an average of 8 dvd's a month (long time customer on the 'old' plan)- DEAL!
Maybe I eat out 1 time a month at the local tasty fajita joint if I haven't had to spend that on some unexpected bill, last month it was local auto plate renewal. I can rarely send gifts for Neice/nephew Bdays but family understands. I recently switched car ins and saved 25/mo while doubling my basic coverage amounts. The one modest expense I can't forgo is 2 cats 7 yrs and 4. Even if I could entertain the notion, there are so many cats being given away that I would fear for them.
If I had to I'd give up the land line and internet and drop to minimum CC payments. Things are ok though, getting there and getting by.
#22 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 4:53 PM EDTAdditionally, I used to give a few bucks to a couple of good charities, I feel so guilty when they keep sending me pleading reminders. I might try to give to one.
#23 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 5:17 PM EDTWELL, LIKE A LOT OF OTHERS, WE HAVE ALWAYS WATCHED OUR SPENDING SO IT WOULD NOT AFFECT US SO BAD. EXCEPT COME MARCH I HAVE TO RE-LOCATE OR LOSS MY JOB. I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO RE-LOCATE, AND MY MOM(82) HAS CANCER AND COUNTS ON ME TO GET HER TO/FROM THE DOCTORS AND MY DAD(82) HAD A DOUBLE BYPASS. SO I CAN'T MOVE 450 MILES AWAY.ALSO MY HUSBAND'S HAS A 13.00 AN HOUR JOB. HE CAN'T RELOCATE. I AM PRAYING THAT EITHER SOMETHING WILL CHANGE THE STATUS OF MY JOB POSITION OR THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT ON HIS INCOME ALONE. EVEN IF IT MEANS US LOSING ALL WE HAVE(WE OWN OUR HOME MODEST 75,000 HOME).
#24 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 5:36 PM EDTI cutting back on buying whiskey and have reverted to beer instead. Also not donating to the Democratic Party because they suck big time.
#25 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 6:42 PM EDTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
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It's a long cultural norm for the desired first child to be male. Of course, that never took into account what women personally deep inside wished for. It must be a hardwired thing to want to reproduce ourselves, so women wishing for a female child isn't that hard to understand.
A 55-year-old man comes to the National Health Service in Great Britain with chronic kidney failure. If he cannot afford private care, he is told to go home and put his affairs in order.
I am not sure people plumping for universal or socialized health care understand that services under such a system by necessity or rationed in such a manner. Under such a system, $300,000+ medical care for premature and at-risk babies is likewise out of the question. The choices are made by the numbers.
Please, read these posts you asked others to participate in, and at least have the common courtesy and decency, to remove posts from illiterate and obnoxious people that have NOTHING OF VALUE to contribute, such as:
"Lost Yankee".
Thank you for your time.
I live in suburbs of Chicago and went to the ER this past Friday, I have never had to go to the ER for anything, I was up for a rude awakening, I am an unemployed, educated, US citizen and had to use the public hospital "Cook County" an hour away from me, I went at 9pm thinking it would be a 2 hour wait, I hadn't eaten anything, I was not seen until 4:15 am in the morning, I met a lady who had been there since 4pm Friday afternoon and a gentlemen who had been there since 11am Friday morning they both were waited on around 3am right before me, the disturbing thing was that the area is considered to be mostly African American however, the majority of the people there were Hispanics. Hope I never have to go there again the wait was to long.
ARE YOU TOTALLY INSANE OR WHAT?
I have set for 12 hours, and watched a man nearly bleed to death and there was NOT a DR., or a nurse to be seen!
Heart attck victims brought in by ambulance, set in hallways.....for hours on end.
THIS THREAD WAS A JOKE RIGHT?
OR, DID YOU DO THIS INTENTIONALLY, BECAUSE YOU ENJOY TO READ ABOUT ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING AND A MEDICAL SYSTEM THAT IS TOO BUSY SCREWING, WACH OTHER IN THE LOUNGE ROOMS, TO GIVE A DAMN?
Give us a break, and go write something that WON'T piss people off!
I'm not certain what planet Ms. Weaver did her research on but the average wait time in Greater Boston Hospital ER is about 7-8 hours.
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