This economy...how people are handling everything...working from home?

[key west chick]

I'm also the optimist in my family. Maybe I'm just naive and stupid. I figure things will get worse before they get better but things WILL get better. I'm facing surgery this month and a divorce soon to follow. I only have a part time job but keep looking for more. My health insurance will end with the divorce but I'll manage. I have family who love me and will do anything for me so I know I'll always have food to eat and a roof over my head, even if I have to move back in with my parents. God will provide, always has. I feel blessed for what I do have, I have it better than so many others.

 

[cjeanean]

My hubby is the optomist, I'm the worrier. He constantly has to remind me to stop worrying, cause God always takes care of us even when it's giving us EXACTLY enough for our bills, nothing more. I'm a stay at home mom, but I'm thinking about getting an overnight job somewhere. Hubby works days, so I would work nights, and homeschool my kid as well. I thought about sending him to a babysitter, but the costs are ridiculous, and if refuse to send him to school because of the poop they're teaching kids these days. We're butchering our meat birds in a day and a half, so that'll cut down on the money issue, and we've stopped driving anywhere except the store. I haven't left the house in a long time.....which is cool, I've got more than enough to do here.

I don't know how people are expected to survive. My friend is a single mom who just got a job making $9.98/hr, and based on her income she can't get any state assistance for the $400/mo babysitting bill she would have to pay. They won't help her with anything!!! They expect her to pay for all her food, housing, transportation, etc.....on $1,500 a month!!! It's so ridiculous!!!

 

[holliewould]

Well, I noticed gas prices dropped almost .20 cents a gallon. That's a bonus.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Quote:
Such a good attitude! I went on a mission trip last year to some of the Gypsy villages in Romania. I stood in front of many houses like this

and saw too many families and children like this to count.

Even when we feel like we're not doing so well in this country, almost all of us live like billionaires compared to people in other parts of the world.

 

[poppycat]

HenMama2, I couldn't agree with you more. Our family may have to make some lifestyle adjustments in the near future, but really we have no complaints.

We are staying home more, kids are doing fewer activities and after 12 years as a SAHM I'm looking for a job.

 

[flakey chick]

The economy hasn't hit us too hard. As a dink (dual income- no kids) we are fairly secure. Things are strange though. First there was a round of layoffs- then an across the board raise for those left. I teach, but am employed through the summers. I really wouldn't mind taking a summer off to catch up on things.

Here's how I plan to cope: Spend and donate. The house needs some maintenance that we haven't been able to keep up with. I would have liked a summer off to repair and paint, but we will pay others to do that. At least with the housing slump I should be able to get someone out here.

I also plan to contribute to local school programs and food banks. I know this is a hard time for them. On the upside, local charity thrift shops have been booming.

 

[conny63malies]

Quote:
Such a good attitude! I went on a mission trip last year to some of the Gypsy villages in Romania. I stood in front of many houses like this
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1152/952554618_c85f86211b.jpg?v=0

and saw too many families and children like this to count.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1310/953319700_4dc1d05ef0.jpg?v=0http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3186/2719776655_6126897f9f.jpg?v=0

Even when we feel like we're not doing so well in this country, almost all of us live like billionaires compared to people in other parts of the world.

WOW these pics are just like the ones my husband took in albania and the rest ofthe balkans. the poverty over there is unbelievable

 

[chickens4jojo]

Thanks HenMama2 for posting those pictures~~That certainly puts thing in perspective, for sure...


I also see some extreme poverty right here in my own town, too. It certainly makes me realize how fortunate most of us are in this country.

 

[Mahonri]

Wednesday I took one of my good friends to lunch. We went to one of my favorite authentic Mexican restaurants in Central Phoenix, (16th Street and Oak) When I was there two months ago, there was no place to park and we had to wait to get a table. Wednesday it was practically empty. Only three other tables in the place were occupied. While we were eating, the owner (a patient of mine) walked in and said Hi. She says her other two restaurants are limping along as well. Two months ago, things were going so well that they purchased another site to start restaurant #4, but now they aren't going to do it until the economy get's better.

The friend I took to lunch works part time at Mervyns... as you may know they took out bankruptcy... he says the place is empty during the evenings... and this is right before school starts!

I just hope we don't find out later that George Sorros or some other wealthy lib has fueled the gas crunch. I feel we are extremely artificially inflated still, but I don't see prices going down anytime soon either.

My practice is only booked out for a week and a day. That scares me! It used to be booked out a month in advance. (And that was perfect for me)

We've cut down on trips out and fast food.

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
I am doing Okay. I need a bad ass hurricane to drive the money in here. Unfortunately, disasters bring in the bigger bucks. I am also a problogger?!?! I make an additional 300 a week from online sites etc. It's like cash I never see for just being online. Other then that, I'm a waitress and everyone has to eat out for some reason. It's like gas but in the way of food, convenience. Sad for them, good for me. People will never quit eating out. Disasters will will always happen. 68,000 down here as a waitress. I can live with that.

On a side note, I support a family of 3 with a monthly rent of 3000 with electric and water not included. Hubby is a firefighter making 23,000 a year. Nice. NOT.

Sorry , BUT I don't care how bad my money situation would get , I would never wish for a hurricane to make more money !!! I was a waitress for 25 years PLUS , I know exactly what you MEANT by different things DRAW money into the restraunt business , BUT please WATCH what you pray for .
Where are you located ? I am in Louisiana and if you EVER live thru a KATRINA , thats the LAST THING you would ever wish for ..