Global recession, credit crunch, blah-blah...

**Jocasta** · 07-23-2008, 04:28 AM

Fuel prices going through the roof, energy costs spiraling, even food getting more expensive... so are you doing anything?
Are you economising, cutting back on anything or refusing to care and spending as much as ever?

**MSFixR** · 07-23-2008, 05:48 AM

What recession? I still made money last quarter. Not as much as I made last year but I haven't had to denigerate myself by buying cheap (Inbev) beer.

Captain Beefheart · 07-23-2008, 06:21 AM

I'm not looking to really become a minimalist and live in a very small apt with white walls and only eating bread and water with no heat and developing sum budget with Quicken but as I grow up older I certainly get more conscious exploring alternative ways of cutting down expenses.

I think it's safe to say that our values and priorities as a culture don't exactly lend themselves to a comforting vision of social cohesion in a time of scarcity and crisis even absent that eventuality.

**Bill5461** · 07-23-2008, 07:16 AM

Things are not bad enough yet to cut back on anything. At this point though, we're just being careful. Although, gas prices are starting to come down..Funny how they come down a whole lot slower than they go up.

**Jocasta** · 07-23-2008, 07:34 AM

Gas/petrol/diesel prices are still high here, I don't expect to see them come down.
Domestic gas prices are forecast to go up 70% in the next year so that's going to make for a tough choice for some people; keep warm or keep eating.
I'm not really cutting down by driving less but I'm not filling the car up like I used to. It makes no difference I know but spending £65 (about $130) a time to fill up is just a bit much.

**Bill5461** · 07-23-2008, 09:20 AM

I did start back in May, a home heating account..so I'll have something to fall back on this winter. Last winter I was lucky enough to have the price the price locked in for the whole winter

**MSFixR** · 07-23-2008, 09:27 AM

I have set up the electric and natural gas accounts to be what is called "budget billing". Every month the amount is the same rather than having one or two very large electric bills in the summer and corresponding gas bills in the winter.

Ox · 07-23-2008, 10:32 AM

Just cutting down in small ways like drinks only and skip the meal when I go out.

Been thinking too about getting a bike and using it when I go see my Dad, which would save gas.....plus I loved to ride my bike when I was a kid...that wind on my face freedom...

**open32** · 07-23-2008, 12:15 PM

I have a bit. Mostly trying to conserve gas and more shopping at walmart, with the Value brand. Most of the bigger expenses like car payment, insurance, cell phone, student loan payment havent changed and make up much more of the monthly budget then gas, so gas doesnt hurt that much, its mostly just annoying. I drive every day but I dont really drive a ton.

Hopefully those oil prices come down, so many people say different things, I dont think anyone knows whats going to happen with that.

Quote:

What recession? I still made money last quarter.

I didnt.

**MSFixR** · 07-23-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by open32

I didnt.

Diversify, diversify, diversify. One investment will make money while another loses money. In the long run you make money. If not there is always the color copier route.

**Jocasta** · 07-24-2008, 05:21 AM

I actually like cutting down and being more frugal, up to a point that is. There was a time when we had to seriously budget and I enjoyed searching for a bargain, getting 6 meals from one small chicken etc.
Now we're better off than ever; having just paid off the mortgage and not having money worries is a relief.

Jim Halpert · 07-24-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill5461

gas prices are starting to come down..Funny how they come down a whole lot slower than they go up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Open32

Mostly trying to conserve gas and more shopping at walmart, with the Value brand.

Hopefully those oil prices come down, so many people say different things, I dont think anyone knows whats going to happen with that.

Quote:

There was a time when we had to seriously budget and I enjoyed searching for a bargain, getting 6 meals from one small chicken etc.

The master plan of the NWO. It's working. And the Masons have something to do with it, too. I told CB, but he wouldn't believe me.

I want to get rid of my mobile, and I might get a Prius. I'm not too sure if I want to mess about under the hood. If you look on youtube you can see quite a few people installing HHO generators in their engine. But anyone with an ounce of intelligence, and science boy could back me up on this, messing with Hydrogen is quite dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. And I still don't understand its technology or idea behind putting a HHO generator just by using a mason jar. How could that be anywhere close to safe?

I think what might catch on is people stilling their own alcohol fuel.

**Ophelia** · 07-24-2008, 01:10 PM

We are feeling the pinch especially since we still have that damned property under construction in New Orleans. I bargain shop a lot for food especially. I've been off all summer so I havn't too much driving to do. I buy everything on sale, kids clothes, shoes, supplies.

**MSFixR** · 07-24-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophelia

I buy everything on sale, kids clothes, shoes, supplies.

Glad you put the comma in the right place. Buying kids on sale seldomly works out; they're such a pain to return.

**Plastic Flute** · 07-24-2008, 01:33 PM

Im in denial.

**MSFixR** · 07-24-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plastic Flute

Im in denial.

What are you doing in Egypt and in the river?

**Jocasta** · 07-24-2008, 01:46 PM

^Lame not even 1/10.

**MSFixR** · 07-24-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jocasta

^Lame not even 1/10.

I'm surprized I didn't earn a negative vote for posting that in the wrong forum.

**Ophelia** · 07-24-2008, 03:19 PM

I could report your post, if ya want.

**MSFixR** · 07-24-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophelia

I could report your post, if ya want.

You realize that if they fire me that will leave Jocasta in charge of Whatever. Need I say more?

07-23-2008, 04:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jocasta Love Charlie Babbit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shaftesbury Avenue Posts: 18,160 My Profile	Global recession, credit crunch, blah-blah... Fuel prices going through the roof, energy costs spiraling, even food getting more expensive... so are you doing anything? Are you economising, cutting back on anything or refusing to care and spending as much as ever?

07-23-2008, 06:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Captain Beefheart Mu nótahu Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In a West End town, a dead end world Posts: 3,904 My Profile	I'm not looking to really become a minimalist and live in a very small apt with white walls and only eating bread and water with no heat and developing sum budget with Quicken but as I grow up older I certainly get more conscious exploring alternative ways of cutting down expenses. I think it's safe to say that our values and priorities as a culture don't exactly lend themselves to a comforting vision of social cohesion in a time of scarcity and crisis even absent that eventuality. Last edited by Captain Beefheart : 07-23-2008 at 06:24 AM.

07-23-2008, 05:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
MSFixR Science Boy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dante's Inferno, Circle 4 Posts: 9,076 My Profile	What recession? I still made money last quarter. Not as much as I made last year but I haven't had to denigerate myself by buying cheap (Inbev) beer.

07-23-2008, 07:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bill5461 Scarlett Mod Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 12,361 My Profile	Things are not bad enough yet to cut back on anything. At this point though, we're just being careful. Although, gas prices are starting to come down..Funny how they come down a whole lot slower than they go up.

07-23-2008, 07:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jocasta Love Charlie Babbit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shaftesbury Avenue Posts: 18,160 My Profile	Gas/petrol/diesel prices are still high here, I don't expect to see them come down. Domestic gas prices are forecast to go up 70% in the next year so that's going to make for a tough choice for some people; keep warm or keep eating. I'm not really cutting down by driving less but I'm not filling the car up like I used to. It makes no difference I know but spending £65 (about $130) a time to fill up is just a bit much.

07-23-2008, 09:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
Bill5461 Scarlett Mod Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 12,361 My Profile	I did start back in May, a home heating account..so I'll have something to fall back on this winter. Last winter I was lucky enough to have the price the price locked in for the whole winter

07-23-2008, 09:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
MSFixR Science Boy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dante's Inferno, Circle 4 Posts: 9,076 My Profile	I have set up the electric and natural gas accounts to be what is called "budget billing". Every month the amount is the same rather than having one or two very large electric bills in the summer and corresponding gas bills in the winter.

07-23-2008, 10:32 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Metro/Detroit USA Posts: 2,103 My Profile	Just cutting down in small ways like drinks only and skip the meal when I go out. Been thinking too about getting a bike and using it when I go see my Dad, which would save gas.....plus I loved to ride my bike when I was a kid...that wind on my face freedom...

07-24-2008, 05:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jocasta Love Charlie Babbit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shaftesbury Avenue Posts: 18,160 My Profile	I actually like cutting down and being more frugal, up to a point that is. There was a time when we had to seriously budget and I enjoyed searching for a bargain, getting 6 meals from one small chicken etc. Now we're better off than ever; having just paid off the mortgage and not having money worries is a relief.

07-24-2008, 01:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ophelia JOHO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Joshtopia Posts: 7,180 My Profile	We are feeling the pinch especially since we still have that damned property under construction in New Orleans. I bargain shop a lot for food especially. I've been off all summer so I havn't too much driving to do. I buy everything on sale, kids clothes, shoes, supplies.

07-24-2008, 01:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
Plastic Flute ICHiBAN HoOT Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 13,378 My Profile	Im in denial.

07-24-2008, 01:46 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jocasta Love Charlie Babbit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shaftesbury Avenue Posts: 18,160 My Profile	^Lame not even 1/10.

07-24-2008, 03:19 PM	#19 (permalink)
Ophelia JOHO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Joshtopia Posts: 7,180 My Profile	I could report your post, if ya want.