I have cut back on groceries, going out to dinner, and going out with friends. Living expenses and debt....that is what I am working for these days. I think about how much I am cutting back and how many other millions of people there like me who are doing the same - how will our economy improve? I don't know what I would do right now if I lost my job. The economy has definitely altered many of my life plans for at least the next year.
I read somewhere that someone recommended bailing out taxpayers by helping us pay our debts. If we had less debt, we could start buying more things. Granted, we would probably just head down the consumer path until we started accruing debt again. But, I know that if I had at least one debt paid off, I would be able to pour more money into the local economy. I would also work on paying off the rest of my debts. Wishful thinking.
I think we've all had a wake-up call about living closer to our means. Meanwhile, I have some major bills coming up - a huge car repair bill and a looming vet bill. I'm relieved that I have a job but I feel zero financial security.
1 comment:
Your words could have come out of my mouth! I am glad we are not the only ones feeling like this, although the enormity of it all does, in fact, scare the crap out of me too. I figure as long as we have a roof over our heads, food, and can basically pay the bills and not slide too much further into the debt monster's mouth we'll be OK, but maybe I am just being quietly hysterical and in denial about everything.
The one good (?) thing/silver lining (if you want to call it that) is that we are actually having more friends over to dinner for these gatherings where everyone brings something. It's very cool! I think they call them potlucks. :-) I am being cheeky, but really, being able to at least connect with friends, even if it is not out to eat, or take a walk with them, is a good thing. Being reminded of what is important in life (friends, etc.) is good, although we are used to not having to think about spending money on food and that's just weird to me. I am trying to not be whiny about this.
I like the plan for reducing our debt. The tax "stimulous" checks (which we are supposedly going out to "stimulate the economy" with) are strange to me, unless one considers paying one's bills as helping the economy. I'm not sure what reality or planet the people are on who think extra money like this will make us decide to go spend more. I do know that we have seriously redone our spending habits in the last few years and having these habits continue (even after things turn around) is not a bad thing.
Unfortunately I can't help you or anyone else (I can barely help ourselves!), but it's good to know I am not the only one quietly panicking about all this.
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