The silver lining of a bad economy

From the Community…

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  Posted by superkate Mon Nov 17, 2008 12:24pm PST

  I have learned that beer is a cheap fun expense and instead of going out we invite friends over and have our own "bar" night. All you really need is bad lighting, somebody smelling like an old cigarete (sp?), loud music (karoake for fun) & a lot of beer. Just kidding. But entertaining at home with close friends has been my silver lining during this economic hell.

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  Posted by Al Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:59am PST

  JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. WE DO MORE HOME THINGS. BOARD GAMES ARE MORE POPULAR. THINGS LIKE THE HONEY DO S AND SMALL CRAFT PROJECTS ARE GETTING COMPLETED. IE MAKING A STOOL, JEWELRY BOX, AND TOUCH UPS ON THE HOUSE. BUT NOT BIG PROJECTS.

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  Posted by carvergirl616 Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:44pm PST

  Times like these make you realize how little you can actually live on. We're much more creative with meals and try to eat at home more often. We enjoy a lot of nights indoors with the fire going and watching scary movies. And we use all we can in the house before buying new things - which really helps prevent having loads of stuff that nobody uses. Here's a great read on not letting the economy get you down!

  http://buzz.prevention.com/community/holly-mom/got-economic-recession-depression-ride-the-wave

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  Posted by JANET Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:12am PST

  I have four children and boy has this economy put a crimp in our already tight budget. We are no longer renting movies or buying movies or CD's. We do not have the internet at home. We use the services of our public library. They have great movies, books (who knew) and internet services for free!!! We have also used the free passes for the museums and other freebies offered thru our town.

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  Posted by littlefurballs Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:15am PST

  I'm so glad you wrote this blog! It certainly does get discouraging. But, times like these make you realize that things like your job and the economy is a rubber ball that eventually will bounce back, but precious things like family, your health, your spirt, etc are made of glass and once those are shattered, things are never the same.

  So, celebrate those things represented by the glass ball! Things that come with a price tag are nice sometimes nice (I won't lie), but I really do believe the best things in life are free (or close to it). The cooking at home is a great idea. If you have kids that are old enough, have them participate in planning each week's meals. You could make it fun with themes. You might even take turns and make a certain night "International Night", for example. As long as the ingredient list doesn't include expensive items like saffron :), it is fun and you could have each family member educate the rest on that part of the world and/or the origins of that meal. If you have the internet, this information is free!!

  Also, I've ditched the gym and have been walking a lot with my Golden Retriever. I've lost so much more weight, I don't have the expensive monthly fee (not to mention the gas price) and I'm in much better shape because it gives me an opportunity spend time with my BFF. :) Plus, he's in great shape too! If you don't have a dog, go for walks, bike rides, etc with your signficiant other, kids, parents, etc. And, guess what...exercise does make you a bit happier!!

  If you're in a rut, reminisce about happier times by going through and/or organizing your photo albums or digital pics on your computer. I love going through old memories and good times (and those times probably had hard times, but I know I survived them). Make it a family event too.

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  Posted by littlefurballs Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:17am PST

  Also, I hold true to the belief that if you do something nice for someone else, it can make you feel a lot better. It sometimes hard to think of others when you're upset about your job, house, money, etc. But, a selfless deed always makes me feel good (and maybe Earl was right about that "karma" thing :) ).

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  Posted by Amy Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:05am PST

  I really found that we appreciate what we DO have more. I am thankful my husband has a job. It's not a great job, but I am thankful he simply HAS a job. I didn't realize how much food we USED to buy. I used to fill the cart, now I get little by little and we really waste less, also. I used to just buy whatever and not realize I didn't use it. You also after a while, just get used to staying home a lot.

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  Posted by Bonnie K Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:55pm PST

  Thanks for your words of "upside". We are certainly all in the same boat and your little article was much appreciated.

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  Posted by David Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:06pm PST

  Not being able to buy stuff anymore is not living "frugally" - it's being poor. Period.

  And, in the end, poor people can't afford to care about the environment.

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  Posted by ElizabethA Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:18pm PST

  Not to get off topic, we are able to save money and help the environment. We wash our dishes in the sink and use the dishwasher as a drying rack (off). The average dishwasher runs 90 min and 3 washes per use. We save electricity, water, and money.

  We wash our clothes on the delicate cycle(shortest)since the most we do is maybe sweat in our clothes, again saving electric, water, and money. And hang them to dry on lines in the garage or outside if the weather is great.

  We are getting to know our neighbors better by firing up the grill and inviting them to bring what they want to cook, and a dish, creating neighborly entertainment(cheap).

  So yes we can care about the environment, save money, and be thankful for a wake up call to make a change.

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