We are feeling the pinch too.
I've had to cut the wages of our Chef, chauffeur, maid, butler and gardener.
But, the wife said the POOL BOY gets a raise. Oh, right.
Things will return to more normal around the 1st of the year. Just hold on.
What I recommend is that you and your wife keep a notebook and you both write down EVERYTHING you spend money on. Do this for at least a month then sit down with your wife and see what you bought and how much you spent. Most people who do this discover that they buy many things that they didn't really need.
Good luck to you...
Ken & Kris + Heidi the dog
Sequim, Wa.
2003 Dodge 3500 SRW 4x4 diesel
2003 Logan Wrangler XL 2 Horse slant load trailer
I consider myself very lucky as we can absorb more than most but have cut back on some things. Some suggestions:
Generic brands vs. name brands.
Shopping at Goodwill or churches for school clothes.
Did you cut out smokes and beer (if you smoke and drink)?
Is everbody brownbagging it?
Don't know what size your house is but your electric bill seems extremely high. I'm assuming a/c use due to the fact you are in Texas. Can you run the house a little warmer? Cook on a grill outside as much as you can. Keeps the house cooler and I think a tank of propane may still be cheaper than equivalent electricity.
Cut back or cut out things like cable or satellite TV.
Wish you luck.
P.S. CampingKen has a great idea. Include food and see what you don't eat, then cut it out.
It is tough all over. But it sounds like you are a single dad with one kid. That could be rough I bet. Anyway, if you have any debt, refinance it into a 2nd mortgage, not only you get better rates, but the interest can be put on your taxes, another break. Can you change the amount you claim at work? I know alot of folks like a big chunk of money at theend of the year, or the begining, but you may be able to bring more home through the week by changing. I try to keep mine close, but I changed it again a few years ago, and it made a nice difference in my check, and I still got money back at the end of the year. Cut out fast food, this is always a waste of money. I almost always take a lunch. Guys I work with said they couldn't stand brown bagging it, but then when they where broke on monday from their weekend drinking, I told them bring your lunch, and you would have money. Salvation Army and such thrift stores can help also, I may be going there for my work jeans. I only llike Levis, and last time I was in one they had piles of jeans. I haven't bought any clothes from there yet, but 5 to 10 bucks for a decent pair of jeans. Buy bulkl meats at the store, and seperate your self, and you can buy a whole chicken and cut it up and save a bunch. Turn your H2O heater down, fix all leaks. This goes for water and air. Use windows shades or tint. Get a programmable thermostat, and progam it to br warmer or cooler while asleep and gone. Good luck.
lwmuddy wrote: We are feeling the pinch too.
I've had to cut the wages of our Chef, chauffeur, maid, butler and gardener.
But, the wife said the POOL BOY gets a raise. Oh, right.
Things will return to more normal around the 1st of the year. Just hold on.
You're dreaming.They don't have a clue as to what is happening
floridacamper wrote: I ask my boss where do I request that I want a fuel surplus charge. He ask what I was talking about and told him everyone else is doing it why not me?
Canyonbound!! I grew upin the 30's and 40's doing those things. I certainly won't return to that life happily.Lets focus on the fools who got us in this mess.
Mac USAF retired
2001 Seaview 32 ft model 8311
Ford f53
2007 HHR
Brake buddy
Falcon2 Towbar
So I get a lot of laughs for suggesting the insurance bit...but it saves us over $1,200 a year...and that's out here in CA (with a $250 ded.).
Make sure the truck is properly tuned and lubed...saves money on that GA$.
Another thing, if you have a desktop computer at home, turn it off when you're not using it--especially the monitor (generates a lot of heat even in standby mode)--and you'd be surprised how much a whole system uses each hour.
Don't leave a TV set or lights on all day.
Change the watering timer for your sprinkler system--a good soak every other day should do it, especially if you're experiencing 100F+ temps. (Why gardeners waste water by having them set for a 15 minute water EVERY day I'll never know--we ended up growing moss in my mother in law's backyard for this reason!)
If you have drapes, keep them closed--it'll help keep the house cooler.
Yeah...biting the bullet, right...how good are your teeth?!?
Join the supermarket's shoppers clubs...I went shopping last week, spent $304.26, but saved $65 and change, and this shopping trip will last 1 1/2 months... Someone had good advice to changing to generics...don't fall for it, sometimes they're more expensive--watch the pricing...I got a large box of cereal for $3, when the smaller 12.5oz one was $3.79...the larger was on special at 2 for $6, the shoppers club doesn't care if you buy one, it still prices the sale price of $3/box!
Watch for sales, especially on soft drinks with a teenage son....Pepsi was on sale at my market of choice, buy 2 (at $4.95) get 3 free (12-packs)--that's 60 Pepsis for $9.90! Sometimes the 24 cube is on sale for a similar promo, buy 1 get one free or buy 1 get 2 free--then I go for it!
Good luck.
2008 Itasca Meridian 37H, All. 3000MH (6-auto), Freightliner XC Chass., Cummins 6.7L Turbo, (Sweet! Delivery 03/12/08). Tow: '07 Dodge Gr. Caravan, Me, Him; Sugarbear, Apr. Toy Poodle; Pepe, Blk Toy Poodle; Hero, fat Siam.-mix polydactyl cat/Alarm Clock.
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