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MagiCat Profile
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Registered: 10-2004
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making due in the economy?


I hope this belongs here! If not, please let me know and I'll delete!

Talk of "finances" often comes up on other boards so I thought it might be fun to raise it here. What I mean is I'm curious about how people are easily (happily?) making do, even during these economic times. Have you changed the way you do anything? Is the economy affecting you, or not? It seems to be a "homesteading" mentality kind of thing to get creative in these cases (even if you have the love of "homesteading" but don't necessarily have a homestead). So, has the economy changed your life at all, or the way you do things -- or not?

As for us: I've always been kind of careful, as I freelance and income can be really up and down. I am even more thoughtful now. I do track everything we spend. I like doing this and I think finance and numbers are fun -- though I know it's not everyone's bag. We've let some subscriptions drop. I use the library a lot. I try not to make needless trips to town. The really interesting thing is that I have overall become more content here, which feels really good. I can usually be just as happy skiing here or burning wood, or doing some homestead chore as I would be if I drove to town. Of course there are the moments when I need to see a friend face to face -- and then that's different. I don't rely on the phone enough!

Other things are little but many and are probably pretty typical -- cooking from scratch, gardens, trying to stay healthy, etc.
How about you?

1/16/2012, 6:51 pm Link to this post Send Email to MagiCat   Send PM to MagiCat
 
Firlefanz Profile
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Re: making due in the economy?


Cat, that's a good question.

For me, finances have improved since I had to give up my therapy room. The lease was cancelled in July and I had to be out by end of August. So I have rearranged one of the rooms in my apartment and use that as therapy room.

It has made a huge difference. I'm not earning more, but I'm spending much less. This has changed my sense about money: Instead of being afraid to spend money, I now choose to buy more books, and organic food. I still have more money than before. I'm rather happy with things as they are now. I don't have a car, and I don't really need one, either.

So, despite the downturn in economy, I actually have more! emoticon

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- Firlefanz

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The Pagan Porch
1/16/2012, 7:31 pm Link to this post Send Email to Firlefanz   Send PM to Firlefanz Blog
 
TexasMadness Profile
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Re: making due in the economy?


It still seems surprising to me, but I haven't felt the economic issues much. Yes, we've missed our usual "cost of living" raises the last 3 years now. We also haven't been putting into savings like usual but we also haven't been tapping into them. And we are doing some projects (new garden area, finish remodel) that are taking are extra cash, so it's not surprising we aren't saving.

I have noticed an issue with friends finding jobs. Even people with "marketable" skills seem to be taking forever to find a position. I've watched a couple of friends go from "I'm NEVER taking a waitress job" to "May I take your order, sir?"

It seems to me that Austin has stayed a bit insulated. The housing market is still good, business seemed to be staying open, nothing much appears changed. Obviously, we haven't avoided everything but I know there are some areas much harder hit.

So I wouldn't say I've changed anything. I have worried more - which of course, isn't good! I really would like to start saving again but I also am desperate to get some things done around this house! And with another baby on the way, not sure when we can start banking again...
1/16/2012, 8:58 pm Link to this post Send Email to TexasMadness   Send PM to TexasMadness
 
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Re: making due in the economy?


I guess because we are rather plain...(most would say 'boring' people) the economy has not hit us much, except when we went to travel last Summer....we drove less, stayed longer, due to high fuel prices. But that gave us time to truly explore and love everything about every place we stayed...I mean for fun, we wander the farmers markets, 'ghost' towns and walk along nature trails.... emoticon

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“Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.”

1/16/2012, 9:49 pm Link to this post Send Email to Queenyforever   Send PM to Queenyforever Blog
 
Saijen SilverWolf1 Profile
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Re: making due in the economy?


Excellent thread, Cat!

We've not really felt the pinch. I do try to consolidate trips into town as much as possible, but I've always done that.
We grow our own veggies (something else we've always done since moving to this place). We use as many materials already here on the farm for things (fencing for the wolf's enclosure, barbed wire for electric fence, etc.)
I guess the worst thing we've felt is the price of gas and propane (for our heat). DH has a company vehicle to get back and forth to work....and they supply the fuel as well, so that helps.

DH has not had a cost of living raise...or a raise of any other kind, in about 6-7 years, so we've had to learn to cut back long before the economy took a nose dive. I guess that's one reason we're not really feeling it as badly as some others.

And Queeny....y'all are anything BUT plain/boring! emoticon

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"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
~~@Saijen@~~
1/16/2012, 11:30 pm Link to this post Send Email to Saijen SilverWolf1   Send PM to Saijen SilverWolf1 Yahoo
 
Queenyforever Profile
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Re: making due in the economy?


 emoticon Well, I did not mean my personality! emoticon

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“Freedom and democracy are dreams you never give up.”

1/17/2012, 10:00 pm Link to this post Send Email to Queenyforever   Send PM to Queenyforever Blog
 
MagiCat Profile
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Re: making due in the economy?


great thoughts, everyone!

Firle, I have always worked at home. I love it. There were a few times I considered getting an office in town, but the rents were crazy.

Saijen, We're making the garden a little bigger this year. Canning season can be pretty pretty busy, and probably going to get busier. We've always had enough food that we grow so I must be doing something right, I would LOVE to be able to figure out how to grow lots of lettuce, year round. I love my salads.

Queeny, my DH and I probably seem pretty plain too! emoticon I love to walk nature trails, anywhere.

Texas, we never had much of a "bubble" here -- (it's a rural area where properties never appreciated that much, unless you have a fancy or huge lake home) -- so there may be "less far to fall," so to speak.

Regardless, I've found it a great excuse to practice gratitude. Think I'll go post in the gratitude thread! emoticon
1/18/2012, 6:54 pm Link to this post Send Email to MagiCat   Send PM to MagiCat
 


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