How-To & Education
Sigh..Avoiding my own personal recession
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Sigh..Avoiding my own personal recession
Yes, times are tough. I thought in this lens I would outline how these rising gas prices, rising costs are really affecting my spending habits. This is my lens on how the downturn in the economy is affecting me.
A bit of a background.
I am part of America, I work in a cubicle and get a monthly salary. This year due to budget constraints (at least that's what they say), my salary will remain as is :(. The bad news is that the cost of everything from groceries to gas keeps going up. So what to do, what to do?? This lens focuses on the reality of my budget struggles.
No more Starbucks
Yes, my favorite drink, a Tall Latte, is out. I cannot keep pace with a $4.00 drink when it can be added up for an extra gallon of fuel. I have tried McDonald's coffee, it's not bad but I think it's getting to a point where I'll need to start drinking the office coffee now :(. I guess I have to be happy that at least I can still have my morning fix, but trust me generic office coffee is not very palatable.
It's interesting how recently I heard in the news how Starbucks is closing 600 stores in the United States. I guess I am partly to blame, this economic downturn is really making me rethink on buying that tall latte.
Coffee Poll
Started taking the bus once a week.
I don't enjoy taking the bus. In my first bus experience a homeless crazy man sat near me and started talking to himself. It was bad enough that he took 2 minutes before he tried to find a dollar to pay the bus driver. When he finally took the dollar out, it was pretty brown and stinky (you can just imagine what the brown stuff was). The bus driver let him would not touch that dollar with a ten foot pole and just told him to sit down. When he finally sat down, he would talk on and on by himself with occasional expletives that would bring chills down my spine. My wife always tells me it's dangerous and fears for my safety. However, with this recent economic downturn, I managed to convice her it's ok, after all "what can they take from someone who is broke already", I tell her.
How to alternatively get to work?
Costco here I come
I used to go to the local supermarket to get some of the basics. These days, Costco is my best friend.Buying in bulk is not fun, but it sure helps out in the long run. Besides, I may even make my rounds and get a full lunch just by sampling all the foods. Don't believe me, watch the Jimmy Kimmel video below.
Costco is great for gas too! They are usually cheaper than regular gas stations, the only hassle is the long lines I have to wait.
Jimmy Kimmel's Adventure at Costco
Coupons, using them more frequently.
I am already an avid user of coupons, but with this economic downturn, I need to strategize more agressively. You would be very surprised to find how much coupons can save. Besides the Sunday newspaper, I go to manufacturers websites to see if there are any coupons posted. There are even coupons available in Ebay, this is a great source for baby products such as diapers, infant formula, etc. If you have babies, you know how expensive diapers can be. If worse come to worse, I'd go to cloth diapers, however, I am not that desperate yet.I've also managed to look for generic store brands more. Some of them taste yucky, but hey, it saves a few bucks. By the way, I just saw a report in CNN that in Hawaii, it costs $6 for a jar of peanut butter. I really feel sorry for those folks in Hawaii.
Coupon poll
Coupon Books
Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom
Amazon Price: $12.23 (as of 10/16/2008)
Kinky Sex Coupons
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 10/16/2008)
Naughty or Nice Sex Coupons
Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 10/16/2008)
Vacations? Um.. more like Staycations now.
"A vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home and one's home environs have to offer." I just can't afford to spend a few grand or two traveling to Hawaii anymore. I really think traveling is one of the most expensive things you can ever do. These days the local park is looking more and more beautiful every day.
As a side note, if you do plan to vacation make sure you use coupon codes to save on your travel needs.
Travelocity, orbitz, and sometimes Expedia offer coupon codes to help you travel. Here are a few
resources:
Expedia promotional coupon codes
Ebags coupon codes
Travelocity coupon code
My Eating Habits Have Changed
I used to enjoy my lunches at restaurants nearby that cost around $11-$12 with tips. These days, it's McDonalds, Burger King, or any other fast food place. If I can pack my lunch from home, I do that too. As a result I've gained about 8 pounds in the past two months. I can't imagine what my cholesterol level is now. So... what else can I do?
Debate on Economic Downturn
Is this economic downturn affecting you?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes
LindaJM says:
Yes, the recession affects what I'm doing, especially now that I've lost my job. I'm starting work on a similar lens, but perhaps from an even more desperate perspective. I will feature your lens on mine. You're showing more of what it is like to live in a city, whereas many of my ideas are for small-town and country dwellers.
Posted September 30, 2008
TopStyleTravel says:
This economic downturn is affecting everyone. We all just have to make smarter choices. I use GroceryGame.com to find coupons, compare supermarkets and know their sales trends. Check it out. Avg. family can save almost $400 a month. Please realize that even in a bad economy there is money to be made. Oil is not the largest economy in the world, travel is. Learn how to make money on online travel effortlessly, & travel like an insider.
Posted July 18, 2008
LoriSummers says:
It's starting to. First thing we are doing is choosing less expensive activities on our days off. We used to spend time driving around the area and just getting out and about. Not doing so much driving anymore. Going to the movies more. Still not cheap but at least that doesn't cost as much as a tank of gas!
Posted July 13, 2008
EditorDave says:
Yes. After being laid off during the "dot-com meltdown" in 2001, I decided to buck the system and go into business for myself (well...as an editor-writer--when we are out of work, we can create work for ourselves by going out there and finding "clients"!). I love photography... and I decided that Squidoo is a good place to "practice" until my paying clients come through. Many have already, thank you! And I've decided that I don't WANT to return to the cubicle nightmare! I LIKE telecommuting from my home office. I like creating residual income from my writing/editing/photography projects. So... I'm recovering... but this economy is *still* slamming all of us. Maybe my lenses can help folks as well as your great lens here! Thanks for posting this lens--I've gotten some great ideas on how to cut costs!
http://www.squidoo.com/residualcashflow
Posted July 10, 2008
NO
RinchenChodron says:
Actually I just got a new job!!! Go figure so there is still opportunity out there, don't get discouraged.
Posted September 23, 2008
Susan52 says:
Well, not really. It helps that we aren't in debt and already didn't have expensive habits (no Starbucks near us, my favorite drink is water and we don't buy it in bottles, we prefer to eat at home, and we frequent our tiny public library). We need new tires on the car and surprisingly, they're the same price as the last set that we bought seven years ago. Plus, like EditorDave, we're learning to build residual income online, so that's good. Now if you ask about our investments, that's another story. Good thing retirement is a couple of years away; what goes down will come up - that's a historical fact!
Posted July 16, 2008
Comment about your own personal recession.
If so, I'd love to hear how it's affected you.
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LindaJM
I really like this lens. You've got great ideas for cutting corners and cutting back. All the best to you! Posted September 30, 2008 |
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RinchenChodron
I'm attempting to swap homes during the week so that I can stay closer to work 3 nights a week and avoid the commute - especially during winter. You have a good sense of humor and this is a top notch lens. I wish you well in becoming a Giant. Posted September 23, 2008 |
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RufusQuail
On coupons, I never see them for items I usually buy. Mostly they are for snacks, treats, and other empty calorie items. I've explored work-at-home schemes but haven't found anything promising. I don't have the instinct for commerce the way some Squidoodlers do. Good thing my Costco membership is valid for a few more months. Posted July 19, 2008 |
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TopStyleTravel
Fuel prices are my biggest pain. I live where public transit is available but limited. The Internet has been a wonderful tool to empower people to make money during a recession. I have found my niche through paid online travel. Which is still a big secret in the 21st century. Get ahead by doing something not everyone knows about. Posted July 18, 2008 |
Look who made this lens!
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My name is Brian, I am broke, so help me get out of my own personal recession. Rate my lens and I'll come and rate yours.
What's here
- No more Starbucks
- Coffee Poll
- Started taking the bus once a week.
- How to alternatively get to work?
- Costco here I come
- More...
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