My husband and I had two thriving businesses prior to the downfall of the economy. Within a month after the market falling, his was non-existent and mine was losing business. We had to sacrifice our hobbies, and start seriously stretching our money to just barely make everything work. Our income went from over 100,000. to about 11,000. It has been hard, but we are grateful to still be able to make the house payments and have a little work. One advantage to growing up poor is that I know how to bargain shop and stretch a dollar. How about you? What changes have you had to make?
How has the economy affected your life? What sacrifices have you had to make?
09/29/2011
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Not finding work and having to live with parents.
09/29/2011
Quote:
well I have a job but things I need are so expensive if I wasnt living at my dads house for free I would never be able to heal my body and get healthy again and get my life back the way it was before I was ill
Originally posted by
js250
My husband and I had two thriving businesses prior to the downfall of the economy. Within a month after the market falling, his was non-existent and mine was losing business. We had to sacrifice our hobbies, and start seriously stretching our money
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more
My husband and I had two thriving businesses prior to the downfall of the economy. Within a month after the market falling, his was non-existent and mine was losing business. We had to sacrifice our hobbies, and start seriously stretching our money to just barely make everything work. Our income went from over 100,000. to about 11,000. It has been hard, but we are grateful to still be able to make the house payments and have a little work. One advantage to growing up poor is that I know how to bargain shop and stretch a dollar. How about you? What changes have you had to make?
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09/29/2011
I had my own business. It did OK, not great, but I did a lot of pro bono work. Since the economy crashed, my business is basically out of work. I cannot find work (in fact I was just online applying for jobs, one at a hospital, despite not really wanting hospital work again and one for a doula company I used to work for years ago.)
It's bad, really bad. My Man has a decent job, but hasn't had a raise in years.
It's bad. Really bad.
It's bad, really bad. My Man has a decent job, but hasn't had a raise in years.
It's bad. Really bad.
09/29/2011
Quote:
I have an adult website and work as a camgirl, which was just starting to take off, when the economy hit. It took a definite hit. People have money to spend, but are quicker to hold on to it(I can't blame them, I am the same way). I also have a MT certification that I just got, but havent had time(lots of personal stuff going on) to apply for a job, it's work from home which is great, but not what I want to do. We would have our adult sites if we could afford it. The cam site I am on is absolutely shitty to the girl, the way they see it is there are 10 other girls who will take your place so screw you. I would love to run one having been on the girl's side.
Originally posted by
js250
My husband and I had two thriving businesses prior to the downfall of the economy. Within a month after the market falling, his was non-existent and mine was losing business. We had to sacrifice our hobbies, and start seriously stretching our money
...
more
My husband and I had two thriving businesses prior to the downfall of the economy. Within a month after the market falling, his was non-existent and mine was losing business. We had to sacrifice our hobbies, and start seriously stretching our money to just barely make everything work. Our income went from over 100,000. to about 11,000. It has been hard, but we are grateful to still be able to make the house payments and have a little work. One advantage to growing up poor is that I know how to bargain shop and stretch a dollar. How about you? What changes have you had to make?
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We have 3 kids (17,15, and 2, the teenagers are my husband's nephews who we raise in case you are doing the math, I was not 10 when I had my first child, lol.), so Christmas shopping starts in July usually, and we are on a strict budget with household stuff. One minute it seems like it's doing better and then the next week its 10x worse. I wish the economy would make up its damn mind. lol.
We get by, but not without help from everyone in the family.
09/29/2011
My family has almost used up their retirement funds and I chose to go to graduate school because I didn't want to start in the job market yet (I'm going for free since my job covers tuition, etc.) I've really had to give up some of my hobbies because I can't afford them any longer. Even then, I understand that I have so much more than those struggling just to get by.
09/29/2011
i've had to give up seeing my bf. his dad recently got laid off, so he has to take the yr off & work b/c his parents can't afford to help him pay for school. i haven't had to give up too much. my parents were both educators (my dad is retired) & they're paychecks have been about the same. i don't get to eat out as much, though, & my parents do occasionally complain about being able to pay my rent (they help out w/ whatever my loans don't cover b/c lets face it, i'm going to have to pay back the 5 yrs of loans i'm getting).
09/29/2011
We have to sacrifice going out as much as we would like to and buying new things that we would like to have (pleasure items like computer parts and technology in general).
My partner is unable to find work and he has been looking for almost a year now, so only I am working at the moment, which also means not much money for vacations! We have only taken a couple of vacations this year so far and none of them were out of the country.
My partner is unable to find work and he has been looking for almost a year now, so only I am working at the moment, which also means not much money for vacations! We have only taken a couple of vacations this year so far and none of them were out of the country.
09/29/2011
I graduated with my bachelor's degree the year of a big crash (in my department the year before, everyone slated to graduate in May was hired before March with good wages --- one even got a new car as a signing bonus. My year---everyone I graduated with was feeling lucky to find jobs as boy scout camp leaders, or keeping their weekend jobs at mall retail locations. I was one of two that went to grad school.
I really had not planned to go to grad school, and I had been looking forward to a job in industry. But every job I applied for said "you're awesome! We'll call you in two years when we're hiring again..." And since it was apparently going to be two years before I could find work anyway, and I got an assistantship offer under a really amazing professor doing really cool work, I counted myself very lucky and accepted the opportunity.
So---bad economy = Master's degree.
I really had not planned to go to grad school, and I had been looking forward to a job in industry. But every job I applied for said "you're awesome! We'll call you in two years when we're hiring again..." And since it was apparently going to be two years before I could find work anyway, and I got an assistantship offer under a really amazing professor doing really cool work, I counted myself very lucky and accepted the opportunity.
So---bad economy = Master's degree.
09/29/2011
Living with family, driving an unsafe car, and not having insurance since 2005.
09/30/2011
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Yeah, no insurance on the cars... me too. BAD DEAL!!! I need insurance, when you are in a wreck that is not your fault, your ins. co. has to match the other company to pay your medical bills and cover your settlement. We would have lost our a$$ a year ago if I wouldn't have been covered! Still trying to figure out that money tree though....son of a gun isn't growing!
Originally posted by
Ghost
Living with family, driving an unsafe car, and not having insurance since 2005.
09/30/2011
Quote:
I meant, medical insurance. Our cars are insured.. it's illegal not to have insurance.
Originally posted by
js250
Yeah, no insurance on the cars... me too. BAD DEAL!!! I need insurance, when you are in a wreck that is not your fault, your ins. co. has to match the other company to pay your medical bills and cover your settlement. We would have lost our a$$ a
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Yeah, no insurance on the cars... me too. BAD DEAL!!! I need insurance, when you are in a wreck that is not your fault, your ins. co. has to match the other company to pay your medical bills and cover your settlement. We would have lost our a$$ a year ago if I wouldn't have been covered! Still trying to figure out that money tree though....son of a gun isn't growing!
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09/30/2011
I have to live with my parents. I feel horrible about it since I was a year away from graduating college before I got really ill. Now, I have to pretty much mooch off of them and I feel like such a burden to them. I have to go to the doctor/hospital multiple times a month and I constantly need medications. I had to sell my car since I can't really drive it while on my painkillers. Yep, things have been really hard.
09/30/2011
Quote:
Sorry! I just bought a truck, it is insured through the bank for their loss but not for my protection. It is an old truck but excellent shape and was only 3000. I do not have ins. on my car and only drive it when absolutely necessary. I needed to clarify my statement as well. I did not mean any offense, please forgive me if I did. I haven't had medical insurance either since 2006 when the rates went through the roof. I am so scared of getting sick and racking up medical bills. They pile up in a hurry!
Originally posted by
Ghost
I meant, medical insurance. Our cars are insured.. it's illegal not to have insurance.
09/30/2011
I have a BA and had to remove it from resumes when I was sending them out to get call-backs.
I lost a job about 8 months before the downturn. For a while I didn't have a car and was only making about $400/month.
I lost a job about 8 months before the downturn. For a while I didn't have a car and was only making about $400/month.
09/30/2011
My husband used up 98 of his 99 weeks of unemployment. He sent out many resumes, only to be told having 23years experience was too much. They only wanted someone with a max of 5, so they could pay them dirt cheap. He was only bringing home $242 a week on unemployment. We had to go apply for food stamps and medical. We owe his mother a crap load of money, since she helped us out on somethings. After his 98th week actually got a job, had to drive 60miles to get to it. Then once he had a job, got many calls for employment. Actually ended up quitting the last job because he finally got a better offer. Now actually for us things are getting better! He is getting in 40hrs by the time thrusday comes around and then getting to work friday and saturday. We have had extra money last few weeks. In fact my mom and dad are taking the kids next week so we can go out! Right now we are doing pretty good.
09/30/2011
My wife, a stay at home mom had to go get a job. I, being laid off because of a lack of projects had to stay at home with the kids. It took me almost 1 1/2 years to find a new job in the same field as my schooling. And now, work is so unpredictable, my wife has to still work so we can have the health insurance just in case I lose my job again, because of a lack of projects. When I lost my job, we went from 86k a year to her 22k. It was alittle on the hard side. But I am really good with my money, having grew up poor. So we did not have to change much. Just no vacations or date nights. But all the bills were able to get paid on time. Now, my wife and I do not see each other very often. And when we do, she is tired from having to work and then take care of the kids when I am at work. I work during the day and then come home and take care of the kids. So it is stressful. The things you will do to take care of your kids.
10/02/2011
Nothing has really changed for me. Although if I had to try and pay for my own place, I'd be struggling.
There's advantages to living and sharing the bills with others, but damn I'd love my own space.
There's advantages to living and sharing the bills with others, but damn I'd love my own space.
10/02/2011
we take smaller, less expensive trips in the summer as a family.
10/03/2011
Total posts: 19
Unique posters: 16