What have YOU given up due to the current economic climate?

[MemoryInAGarden]

News of the recession is beaten into our heads 24/7 with the cable news cycle, complete with stores of heartache and loss for those affected. What have you given up, if anything, as a result of current economic conditions?

My income has not decreased and I am still employed. However, the recession has caused me to look at wasteful expenditures and reduce or eliminate them.

The greatest discretionary expense I had every month were bar trips. I spent around $500 at a single bar in October. This isn't a healthy thing to do even during the fat times, and this summer my bar trips have been reduced to one or two times per month for special occasions.

 

[lxskllr]

Food
weekend trips with my daughter
any driving that isn't absolutely necessary

 

[amdhunter]

We're in a recession?

 

[zerocool84]

I gave up a job for a couple months. Not willingly though.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I gave up upgrading any of my PC/Servers this year.

Not really because of the economy though, more because I just bought a house. TBH the economy has not really affected me at all. I still have a job, I'm still getting paid the same, I still get a bonus and shares every year, and I still get a random sum of money from Google adsense every now and then.

 

[ProfJohn]

nothing... bad me

Although I am very frugal and don't spend a lot to begin with, plus I have almost everything I want/need.

 

[Cheeseplug]

Half the hookers, half the blow.

 

[OUCaptain]

I've been without cable tv or landline broadband for a year. I've been living on OTA tv and a sprint broadband card in my laptop form work. I'm moving next month and cutting my rent in half so I can get back to the civilized tech world.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
nothing... bad me

Although I am very frugal and don't spend a lot to begin with, plus I have almost everything I want/need.

This.

I've noticed there are no jobs at all, at least in this area. I have a few friends who lost theirs for unrelated reasons, and they haven't found work since. Other than that, no big deal since I don't use credit, and live VERY VERY cheaply.

 

[Andrew1990]

Hmm, lets see

My Job
My Car Insurance
College in the fall
Much less food
No new clothes
No eating out

All I have in my pocket is $0.75 and my dad has $5 in his pocket.


This sucks. I blame all those stupid politicians.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Andrew1990
Hmm, lets see

My Job
My Car Insurance
College in the fall
Much less food
No new clothes
No eating out

All I have in my pocket is $0.75 and my dad has $5 in his pocket.


This sucks. I blame all those stupid politicians.

Sounds like you're living the dream life like I am :^(

 

[Andrew1990]

Originally posted by: lxskllr


Sounds like you're living the dream life like I am :^(

Im about to say screw it, pack up my bags, and become a traveling gypsy until the economy picks up, no joke.

 

[gorcorps]

I've had to completely change my life plan, or I guess delay it for 2 years. Due to economy my job out of college fell though, so I'm going back to grad school. And now because of that I'm back to keeping my food costs low, and trying to walk as much as I can instead of driving.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: Andrew1990

Originally posted by: lxskllr


Sounds like you're living the dream life like I am :^(

Im about to say screw it, pack up my bags, and become a traveling gypsy until the economy picks up, no joke.

I've thought the exact same thing. I can't due to my girl, but otherwise... There's something to be said for total freedom :^)

 

[nageov3t]

I don't think my job is in danger or anything, but I've become a bit more frugal to save money to boost my rainy day fund, just in case.

fewer trips to whole foods, buying generic, eating out less often, relying on hulu instead of renting dvds, etc. I also canceled hbo/showtime a couple months ago and switched to a cheaper cellphone plan.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Andrew1990

Originally posted by: lxskllr


Sounds like you're living the dream life like I am :^(

Im about to say screw it, pack up my bags, and become a traveling gypsy until the economy picks up, no joke.

And that's the reason why you're in a bad situation. Cus you give up.

 

[erub]

I gave up my job, and subsequently my apartment in Scottsdale (moved home to live with parents while I look for another job). Haven't bought any new tech toys since I got laid off. Had the opportunity to travel and spent time helping out with various family stuff (sister moving to SD, dad moving offices, etc). Hoping to hear from at least one of two potential employers before the long weekend..

 

[Corporate Thug]

Not a damn thing.

 

[xanis]

Eating out less and living at home with my parents during the summer. It's surprising how much money I'm saving.

 

[AreaCode707]

Nothing, really. Delayed buying real estate.

 

[ProfJohn]

All us people saving our money is why the economy sucks!! Shame on us.

We need to spend spend spend!

 

[tokie]

Haven't given up anything. Actually planning a trip, so if anything I'm spending more money.

 

[Andrew1990]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Andrew1990

Originally posted by: lxskllr


Sounds like you're living the dream life like I am :^(

Im about to say screw it, pack up my bags, and become a traveling gypsy until the economy picks up, no joke.

And that's the reason why you're in a bad situation. Cus you give up.

Not really. When you live in a small town with not so many jobs and you loose the ability to drive to a different town, your pretty much fucked.

Also, all the general labor jobs are already taken by people just like me who applied earlier than me.

 

[Baked]

I quit WoW to save $15/month. /flex

 

[Away]

I go out to dinner less.