Cost of Living

*Lisey* · 06-14-2008, 06:54 AM

I'm in no position to buy anything...kinda sad since I'm in my 30's and have a professional job. If I didn't love what I do I'd be more upset, but I realize for right now, it is what it is...and I'm lucky enough to be able to support myself.

*G_Man* · 06-14-2008, 03:04 PM

Quoting: Lisey

I'm in no position to buy anything...kinda sad since I'm in my 30's and have a professional job. If I didn't love what I do I'd be more upset, but I realize for right now, it is what it is...and I'm lucky enough to be able to support myself.

Ditto!!! I am finally in a house and can't afford shit. So good thing she already has most everything we need. Thought I might scrape enough together to put one of those portable gazebo things out back, but I had to fill up today and one of cats is sick. So.... Looks like I'll be shuffling the bills around again this month!!

My Second Job

**Sp00k** · 06-15-2008, 12:48 AM

Everyone is feeling the strain and having to tighten their budgets. Any little luxuries we had has had to be abandoned. Little things like going out every Saturday night together is no longer our weekly "ritual" so to speak.

I think the worst thing for us is cutting our food budget to the limit. Those gas/electric increases have crippled a lot of folk round here. They have increased 400% in the last 18 months and there will be further increases of up to 46% by the end of the year.

If things carry on as they do we fill be feeling like a third world country.

*G_Man* · 06-15-2008, 08:53 AM

Third world countries with automobiles... something just is not right here...

**Noodles** · 06-15-2008, 12:55 PM

That is one of the problems. The Asian countries are adding about 1 million autos per
quarter to the roads. Their ever increasing thirst for petroleum is going to really
stretch the limits and will ultimately redefine them. Just wait until China has 100,000,000
privately owned vehicles on the road in the next ten years.

**Sp00k** · 06-15-2008, 01:39 PM

Quoting: G_Man

Third world countries with automobiles... something just is not right here...

Yes and we won't be able to afford to run them the way things are going.

China is a big concern, especially as they have one sixth of the world's population.

Knowledge Talks, Wisdom Listens.

*Lisey* · 06-15-2008, 07:00 PM

My food bill is ridiculous....and I'm just one person. Plus I eat pretty healthy and healthy eating is way more expensive than eating crap. Thankfully for calorie reasons I bring my lunch every day so I'm not buying anymore, but between the food bill and the gas bill I'm starting to worry a little.

I drive about 50 miles to and from work...can't cut that down. Not comfortable in the ride share program (you and stranger meet to carpool) but I will look into it. Public transportation will add another hour to hour e and a half to my commute.

...and still, I'm lucky. I hate to think about all the people who it will really hit.

*G_Man* · 06-15-2008, 09:09 PM

Kind of odd... my fuel bill is triple with my new double commute and longer distance. Also eating much better, like Lisey, but still cheaper than eating out a whole lot. Really cut back on my coffee and other crap. And I no longer pay rent or electric... and still... empty pockets!!

I really should not complain either though. I have it pretty darn good.

**Sp00k** · 06-16-2008, 06:51 AM

We live and breathe so we are lucky compared to many many others in dire predicaments. I'm just so happy I have got a job and a one I enjoy doing.

So glad I am not starting out from scratch like so many young people and couples. That would scare the hell out of me.

wyeast · 06-16-2008, 08:19 AM

Sadly, my job puts me on the road a lot so I can't give up driving. Thankfully tho' this town is very bike and transit-friendly, so my wife's been able to commute by bike for well over a year now. The summer's been pretty expensive tho', with one trip to visit in-laws, school costs for the kidlets, both cars needing tires, etc etc etc.

Our food costs have been fairly stable, mainly through buying at a grocery chain that gets most of their stuff locally, so it's a little insulated from fuel-driven price spikes.

Despite all that, I'm still blowing close to $100/week on gas. Ouch. I still remember the heady days. 9mpg and gas was $0.75/gal.