We travel less. We've also closed all our credit cards, that has been a huge help in the long run.I have cut back a great deal and remain there. I downsized when I changed jobs and have just sort of dug in. I don't deny myself stuff, I am just cheaper.
Good luck with that man! Tough market!Until my house sells (been empty 9 months) it sucks. Got a great offer this week, hope for the best.
No sh!t. Was built in 2006, sold for $265k. I bought it in April '09 for $176k (bank owned), the current offer (short sale) is $156k. The bank has said they want $165k, but this is the only offer I've gotten over $140k.Good luck with that man! Tough market!
haven't.
You do know closing credit cards lowers credit limits and can HURT/Reduce your credit score?We travel less. We've also closed all our credit cards, that has been a huge help in the long run.
We got a house and some loans so for the time being I'm not to worried about it. We're also trying to buy with cash and not credit.You do know closing credit cards lowers credit limits and can HURT/Reduce your credit score?
Besides, pay all of your bills through a no-fee rewards card and pay the bill off each month. You can add up points pretty quick this way and you can get cash back once a year, free plane tickets, or other stuff depening on the card you use.
Awesome to hear!The wife and I have always been do-it-yourself types, particularly with regard to food. We have taken that up another notch: much bigger garden, no buying any baked goods, absolute minimum processed food purchases, no pre-prepared food ever, buying meat in bulk direct from farms, even some bartering (work for wine).
We found that all of these changes saved money and improved our standard of living (or eating as the case may be). Actually, the garden will be a net zero for this year, but should start to go net positive next year.
Yup, sounds about the same as our family situation. Even been bartering some welding work for the farm up the street in exchange for use of their farm tractor w/ backhoe/loader.Were slowly re-arranging sections of yard to allow for more vegetable beds fruit trees etc. I'm all about the barter, a great way to get things you need with the skills you have, and it builds a nice support network at the same time...The wife and I have always been do-it-yourself types, particularly with regard to food. We have taken that up another notch: much bigger garden, no buying any baked goods, absolute minimum processed food purchases, no pre-prepared food ever, buying meat in bulk direct from farms, even some bartering (work for wine).
We found that all of these changes saved money and improved our standard of living (or eating as the case may be). Actually, the garden will be a net zero for this year, but should start to go net positive next year.
I need to get some fruit trees planted.Yup, sounds about the same as our family situation. Even been bartering some welding work for the farm up the street in exchange for use of their farm tractor w/ backhoe/loader.Were slowly re-arranging sections of yard to allow for more vegetable beds fruit trees etc. I'm all about the barter, a great way to get things you need with the skills you have, and it builds a nice support network at the same time...
Also, we try to pay for everything with cash. It's amazing how that will reign in control of your budget quickly.
Nice work.....living in the burbs we have no garden just some "Keeping up w/ the Jones" landscaping but we support the local farmer's market as much as possible though it's limited, nothing like the kick ass one they have in Madison, WI.The wife and I have always been do-it-yourself types, particularly with regard to food. We have taken that up another notch: much bigger garden, no buying any baked goods, absolute minimum processed food purchases, no pre-prepared food ever, buying meat in bulk direct from farms, even some bartering (work for wine).
We found that all of these changes saved money and improved our standard of living (or eating as the case may be). Actually, the garden will be a net zero for this year, but should start to go net positive next year.
We actually live in town and it was a BIG discussion about whether or not to move some garden space to the front yard. In the end we decided on moving our herb garden to the front in a discrete corner and still maintain "keeping up with/ Joneses" acceptable landscaping. We have a tiny plot (less than .25 acres), so we have to use every bit we can.Nice work.....living in the burbs we have no garden just some "Keeping up w/ the Jones" landscaping but we support the local farmer's market as much as possible though it's limited, nothing like the kick ass one they have in Madison, WI.
I wouldn't say we spend less but are more selective on where the dollars go and pay in cash if the retailer is a small business.
J
Nope. Business as usual in our castle. But that's 'cause we've always been cheap fvckers and recessions don't usually phase cheap fvckers.
I've posted this before...you may have missed it. These folks set the bar for suburban gardening.We actually live in town and it was a BIG discussion about whether or not to move some garden space to the front yard. In the end we decided on moving our herb garden to the front in a discrete corner and still maintain "keeping up with/ Joneses" acceptable landscaping. We have a tiny plot (less than .25 acres), so we have to use every bit we can.
For big stuff that we dont have the room for like Potatoes, Corn, Onions we can get locally very cheap. Gotta love farm country in OR.
I give handjobs on the corner for rock.
No. I have not seen that before. Very cool.I've posted this before...you may have missed it. These folks set the bar for suburban gardening.
http://urbanhomestead.org/
We have no debt, no credit cards, I garden, scrounge, let it mellow/pee in the compost, reuse, use the least amount of shampoo/deoderant/toothpaste I can and remain socially acceptable( a little does go a long way!), I fix things rather than buy new and when I do buy something I buy the best I can afford, not the most affordable..these thing's tend to be more repairable (?) in the long run. We utilize every bit of food that comes in the house, buy from goodwill, save/squish our aluminum cans to sell as scrap. The list can go on and on..
At least there's always a market for pussy.I made my cats get jobs.
Ouch, that sucks man. Make the best of it, get out and ride.Well considering I was laid off last night. I think the lingering effects of the down turn are about to start. Sucked to no warning 8 years working there too. At least I bought a new bike and paid it off. Looks like lots of riding this summer
Unemployment comes highly recommended by me.I plan to spend a bunch of time hitting the trails and enjoying my free time for a bit. It doesn't feel real right now but come monday it will.