Is the economy changing the way you spend?

United States
July 28, 2008 9:42pm CST
With prices of everything changing so much my family has been talking about how much they are trying to change things to keep costs undercontrol. We have always been frugal and I thought that the prices wouldnt change us but it has. We are working harder then ever to live on the budget we have and thinking a lot more about gas usage. How have higher prices changed your life?
5 people like this
9 responses
@laglen (19759)
• United States
29 Jul 08
We only drive when necessary. We live in the foothills of the Rockys and have not taken picnics or gone shopping at all!
• United States
1 Aug 08
We live close to the Rockies too. We used to drive through the canyons all the time and now we sit in the yard and look at the view instead. If gas prices go up much more we will have to change even more and give up more. I love where we live but we may have to move closer to the hubbies work.
• Australia
29 Jul 08
Yes i think it is something everone will have to do, even the pople with alot of money are being left in the lurch while bank after bank forecloses and can only pay some of them some of their money! It is crazy our economic situation at the moment in Australia and America atleast, i'm not sure about the rest of the worlds econimic status.
• United States
1 Aug 08
It is getting scary isnt it. I know we are changing things every day.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
8 Aug 08
We have been trying to put some money back, as we think it will get worse before it gets better. We spend alot more time at home.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
1 Aug 08
It is horrible! We have always been on a very strict budget, but the costs of just groceries alone is killing us. I have 4 kids, so there are 6 of us in the family. We use to go out for dinner once a week as our treat...either go to the restaurant or for takeout. Now we are lucky to get a pizza once a week.
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
4 Aug 08
We don't go out just 'looking' anymore. I shop less and less. I don't buy unless it's necessary. We've done without things in the grocery store we'd love to have, but food prices have gone sky high along with the gas prices. Thank goodness, gas has started coming down some. We've also cut way back on eating out. We went to one of our favorite BBQ places Sunday for the first time this year.
• China
6 Aug 08
generally says,it not chang much of my life,because am still a student my parents support my life. but two years later i had to stand on my own feet.in that time i think i couldn't eat so much meat as i want.to be a new man of society may be not a easy thing.but i think take effort is the key to a easy life.
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
30 Jul 08
I have always been careful about spending money, but more so now with everything going up. I shop at the dollar store alot, and try not to use more gas than needed. I also use cold water to wash my clothes, amoung many other money saving things I do.
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
29 Jul 08
We've always lived a frugal lifestyle, but with prices raising, we've tweaked things even more. Especially with gas prices what they are, I think a lot of people are having to evaluate whether it is actually economically feasible to work at jobs where they need to commute a distance. They are, at least, having to look at other transportion options, such as public transportation or carpooling.
@redkathy (3374)
• United States
29 Jul 08
My husband and I are self employed, and things are really slow here. We laid off 5 crews, sold our trucks, and do much of the work ourselves. The gas isa killer. Since work is so slow, all the suppliers charge a fuel charge yet things are so competitive we can not pass those fees on.