Nevadans?

[NevadaRon]

Ok... (stepping down from my soapbox)...

I like your soapbox so keep it up!

It really irks me when I hear them say inflation is under control! How dumb do they think we are?

I read somewhere that if inflation were still calculated the way it was in 1980 it would be over 11% a year right now.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

I like your soapbox so keep it up!

It really irks me when I hear them say inflation is under control! How dumb do they think we are?

I read somewhere that if inflation were still calculated the way it was in 1980 it would be over 11% a year right now.

I hear all the time... "They say the economy is on the mend." Ok, that's great. But what about the people on the bottom, who lost their jobs two years ago, and are finally finding work... but who have already lost their houses, and their savings, and are now in deep debt just to feed their families? That's going to take a lot longer than the people at the top of the trickle, who may not be taking vacations to Europe anymore, but still have their homes.

And then there's this subset of people that a lot of us are in. I explain to my kids all the time... we're in a special group. We make too much to get any kind of government assistance. But we don't make enough to pay the necessary bills. We're the type of people who have to learn to do things for ourselves, to cut corners and fix our own cars. But I also think it's a very satisfying place to be. Today I told my husband, "You know most of the stuff I'm doing that brings me joy... I wouldn't be doing it if you made a lot of money." The gardening, the chickens, the elated feeling each month when we squeaked by each month and didn't go into collections. Lol. All of that is actually very gratifying.

 

[americanvalkyrie]

I just made it to 1,000 posts and am now "Chicken Obsessed." Gee, ya THINK?

 

[whatthecluck12]

I hear all the time... "They say the economy is on the mend." Ok, that's great. But what about the people on the bottom, who lost their jobs two years ago, and are finally finding work... but who have already lost their houses, and their savings, and are now in deep debt just to feed their families? That's going to take a lot longer than the people at the top of the trickle, who may not be taking vacations to Europe anymore, but still have their homes.

And then there's this subset of people that a lot of us are in. I explain to my kids all the time... we're in a special group. We make too much to get any kind of government assistance. But we don't make enough to pay the necessary bills. We're the type of people who have to learn to do things for ourselves, to cut corners and fix our own cars. But I also think it's a very satisfying place to be. Today I told my husband, "You know most of the stuff I'm doing that brings me joy... I wouldn't be doing it if you made a lot of money." The gardening, the chickens, the elated feeling each month when we squeaked by each month and didn't go into collections. Lol. All of that is actually very gratifying.

Totally agree here! It's difficult to explain these things to kids isn't it. Hubby and I always say the best times of our lives were when we were poor and just starting out. It's all hindsight though... Hopefully in 10 years + these times will be added to those. And it IS very satisfying to do things for yourself and be self-sufficient. If it all goes down in a steaming pile tomorrow we (all of us here) have a better chance of making it than those that are used to living a bit higher on the hog. In the last few years we've made a lot of changes to better live within our means. The funny thing is that they are also healthier living choices too. More homemade foods, cleaning supplies, laundry soap...and now CHICKENS! Wouldn't trade it for the world. And while my daughter doesn't always like to hear that we can't get something she really wants, I'm hoping that the lessons will stick and she'll be better for it when she's older.

 

[NevadaRon]

I just made it to 1,000 posts and am now "Chicken Obsessed." Gee, ya THINK?

Well considering you joined BYC 18 months after me and have almost caught up to my number of posts, no, I find that VERY hard to believe!

 

[americanvalkyrie]

Well considering you joined BYC 18 months after me and have almost caught up to my number of posts, no, I find that VERY hard to believe!

 

[aubreynoramarie]

sheryl maybe the cut wont be so bad? Last year I was making twice as much as I am now and working overtime and now i make half and dont get 40 hours a week most weeks and i swear it feels like just the same brokeness....maybe the universe finds a way of leveling things out for us. Were not NOT gonna make it, were all gonna be okay

were doers, us average citizens, and we always find a way to make it by. Youll be alright..you have us! and boy do we all know what its like to struggle :/

On the other hand, Missy, youre right about the cable! Ive felt so free since we cut the cable cord! LOL. Now i seriously cannot imagine living like i used to...you know, on the couch. totally super love life even more without it.

weve done lots to save money, and have saved money just doing things to better ourselves. Quitting drinking and dieting were huge ways for us to save. Beer was costing AT LEAST $200 a month. AT LEAST. Plus eating out was costing us WAY more. not to mention turning off the cable and even canceling the registration and insurance on one car. Taking in a roomate saved us each 200 bucks a month, and we cancelled our gym memberships and just exercise outside. we both make about 12k a year (barristas rule!) so these things adding up to a few hundred a month in savings is really quite refreshing

Of course there are things i refuse to give up...like internet and hair dye, lol.

 

[2seth2]

Tyler is fostering cats that is my guess.

and missy only joined a few weeks after me

 

[HighNDryFarm]

Sheryl, I'm so sorry about the job. I have been losing money for the last 3 years trying to save my businesses. My husband gets paid and that day it's gone and we're struggling to pay the bills. My egg money is the only money I'm making!

But I know this economy has effected most everyone and I found out a friend of mine who is 53 was given 1-2 years to live. Her breast cancer came back all through her body so they'll try to keep her alive for a couple of years.......so I'm slapping myself upside the head, counting my blessings and praying for my friend.

I know that because someone is worse off the ourselves doesn't make it any easier to get through the day or relieve the stress of trying to pay our bills but I try to remind myself that it could be worse.

 

[sherylreno]

Oh wow you guys! Missy, I love your soapbox stay on it. Aubrey, I always love your huge heart and brightness! Everyone is so inspiring. What people don't understand is John and I have been struggling since we got married. It's hard when you have family that believes a certain way other that what you believe. My boys never knew what cable tv was. We never had cable tv until we moved here and still it took us a while until he did get it and that's was only because basic was less than $10 per month. I prefer not to have cable tv but Nonni must have it. Her world turns around the tv. She can't get out at all on her own. She stays in her chair and gets up here and there. She can't read much because she is blind in 1 eye and has a hard time seeing in the other and she must have cable, it's her life. We will figure it out like we have every time. You are all great! Ron, I love what you've gone through and what you've accomplished as well.

My life style changes were mainly because of my health. I must figure out how to continue my remission while I'm without insurance as well. Cobra is out of the picture so I just don't know what to do there. John said there's no way I can go without Cobra but I just can't see paying almost $1,000 a month with this cut back.