Are you facing issues due to the current economic state? What are you doing about it?

[Mothernature]

What are your issues and what have you done to lessen the impact?

DH's employer is relocating and the drive will become too much. This means he will have to look for a new job. We are also paying for private university educations.

We have a 3+ years of HBA stockpile, 9-12 months worth of food, and socking away as much money as possible. We stocked up on cloths so we do not have to do as much laundry. I have found alternative means for gifts; Dh receives movie passes for free on a monthly basis. We gift those certificates. I make stock pile gift baskets, and towel cakes. We recently dumped Comcast lowering our bill by $10-$15/month; we dump Vonage in September and convert to Magic Jack for $19.95 year.

[mythreeiggys]

The only thing that is really, really hurting us right now is the gas prices. I drive a Tahoe and DH drives a Diesel and it kills me everytime I have to put gas in either of them! Diesel is at about $5 a gallon here and gas is at about $4.05. I haven't filled up my Tahoe since the gas prices sky rocketed but it used to cost about $90 to fill up (at $3.50 a gallon)! I really can't afford to. They both sit a alot more then they used to. I try to make trips when I have a few things that need to be done, like going to the post office, I will make sure that I do my banking then also to make it worth while.

I have a pretty good stockpile going on (especially after this weeks triples!), so I am not really worried about food, hba etc.

[MrsPinecone]

We were paying $400-500 a month in gas.

We got new cars with better gas mileage (cash, no financing), and DH has started taking the bus to work. We're down to about $225 a month between my gas and his bus pass.

[darkwing932]

Everything that we have changed has been due to gas prices.

We have pretty muched stopped going anywhere thanks to the gas prices. I used to run around alot and chase all the deals but no more. The one I miss the most is Target, but its just not worth it to drive 30 minutes from home hoping they have that great clearance item.

I also find myself doing more online shopping than I used to. Again, thanks to the gas prices. We used to love to go to Barnes and Noble. Now I order the books online. I even find that I get a better price online so that is saving a bunch too.

The other thing I miss is yard sale hopping. BF & I used to go all the time. Not anymore.

[bumblebee123]

We're probably going to become a 1 car family again. Thankfully, we live on the bus line, so I can ride the bus wherever I need to go. But, it's not going to be fun, once it starts snowing.

[woogiebop]

We are really hurting with the rise in prices lately too. Both of us work full time plus, and we each make a very good hourly wage. We do not live high on the hog, drive basic vehicles, wear worn out clothes, and save a penny everywhere we can. Nonetheless, we just can't get a break.

Take today, for example. Stupid little "service engine soon" light has been on for a while. We take it in, and it's over $600 for some silly little sensors that, though not an immediate safety issue, could become one later if not fixed. Can't a girl get a break?? There goes my back to school budget. Sigh.

[derketchup]

We're not feeling it too bad right now. I am a disabled vet and my DH is in the Navy, so our income is relatively stable *knocks on wood*.

Still, I am trying to cut corners so our emergency fund will grow faster. I am cooking more food from scratch, not eating out so much, and combining car trips.

This fall I will take the bus to school. I should be taking it now ($1 round trip!) but I can't get up early enough to make it for my 7am class.

[mom2lucas]

we're doing less driving when possible. I try to combine trips when we go out. Today I had to get Dh a perscription, so I dropped it off, went to do my shopping, got dinner ($5 pizza) and went back to get the script. We rarely eat out anymore, and when we do, its dollar menu, $5 pizza, or gift card. DH packs his lunch for work instead of buying.

Gas is really what hurts us. We drive 45 minutes one way to church every week. Thats our choice, and we've made other cutbacks to allow for this. DH drives 25 minutes one way to work four days a week. He talked about finding something closer to home, but the wages and benefits are not comparable even when figuring the extra drving. When the gas hike started, we sold DH's F150 and got a more fuel efficent car. Cut our payment immensely and cut our gas bill a great deal. We don't have public transportation near where we live, so that is not an option for us.

[fitguru4life]

This sounds just like me...My husband has a diesel as well and gas today was $4.49 so he filled up $145.00 and then unleaded is down to $3.64 so I filled up $98.56 to fill my Durango (with 4 kiddos you have to have something big enough) We own a mobile business so that means we go through the gas with all the trips around the city! We just pray that it gets better.

The only thing that is really, really hurting us right now is the gas prices. I drive a Tahoe and DH drives a Diesel and it kills me everytime I have to put gas in either of them! Diesel is at about $5 a gallon here and gas is at about $4.05. I haven't filled up my Tahoe since the gas prices sky rocketed but it used to cost about $90 to fill up (at $3.50 a gallon)! I really can't afford to. They both sit a alot more then they used to. I try to make trips when I have a few things that need to be done, like going to the post office, I will make sure that I do my banking then also to make it worth while.

I have a pretty good stockpile going on (especially after this weeks triples!), so I am not really worried about food, hba etc.

[mama22qts]

Well, dh is a financial advisor, so enough said, right? Commission only, market sinking, two gas guzzling vehicles -- what more can I say?

We are praying!!