Are your relationships strained because of the new economics?
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
July 8, 2008 6:32am CST
With the cost of gas and food, and this fall fuel, are your relationships strained? Some people are fighting over money who were never fighting over money before. Many people are making telephone calls when they would talk to the person by going to their house. People who use visual cues to know what to say next have a hard time if they can't hear a difference in the person's voice. Having to give up some things they like, makes some people cranky. So do you have or know of any relationships that are becoming strained because of the cost of everything in relationship to how much we're all making?
3 responses
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jul 08
That's good. Some people have to figure food or gas or fuel oil and that's where I think the arguments come in.
Or in our case, my husband wants to buy a riding lawn mower that will use more gas and get another payment per month and I don't want that. So if he gets it, I think there will be a strain. I also think if gas gets to be $10 a gallon or more and we have to start making decisions, he feels he has to go somewhere every day, I stay home and don't spend money on the days I have off. He still finds some place to go every single day. So at some point, this will be a problem.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Yup, I asked him if he was out of his mind. We have two car payments, a house payment and now he wants a lawn mower payment of $30 a month for a year or more plus it takes more gas plus the parts cost more, etc. So he wants a 4th payment. So when we can't pay our fuel bills this winter, he's still got a lawn mowing tractor to pay for. He went into shock because normally I just say, "That's nice Dear, go ahead." But times have changed and we can't afford it, period.
I just spent $80 outright on a reel lawnmower that takes no gas a few weeks ago, so he should have suspected.
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
9 Jul 08
My husband and I aren't strained because the cost of living has increased. Financially we are fine. It does annoy me to have to pay so much for gas but there is nothing I can do about it. I work very close to home. My husband also works close to home. This does help cut our gas usage. Neither of us would have an interest in riding a bike to work or motor bike to save on gas. I can walk if I wasn't so lazy..lol Our utilities really haven't increased.
Yes, I do know several people who are in a bind because of the gas increase. Some are doing car pools or riding the Metrolink. I feel so bad for the people who are struggling to make ends meet.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
9 Jul 08
It depends on how "close to the edge" a family is. My family was close to the edge to begin with. My brother is riding an ATV to work and that is helping. I took another part-time job, one pays the gas for the other 2. My brother installed a wood stove and we have a small one, but my husband needs to insulate the back porch so the heat can get to other parts of the house, not just the porch and dissapate. I fear that if people are stuggling during the summer, they will suffer this winter.
Thanks and take care.
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
8 Jul 08
Well we keep our money separate and it is not causing problems because he is willing to give me money anytime, but I have been struggling and it makes me feel inadequate which I think will certainly go back into the relationship if I let it.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Jul 08
I'm in the same situation, plus what I responded to the above person.
