That's simple enough, isn't it?
It means that if you don't have money to pay your bills, don't buy ice cream. Don't go window shopping, or any other kind of shopping except for the bare necessities.
Maybe the problem is that we don't know what the "bare necessities" are any more. Here's a checklist to remind you of a few things that aren't necessary:
- Cable TV
- Vacations anywhere other than home
- Store bought snacks and treats: Ice cream, candy, chips...
- Shoes in seventeen different colors
- Ditto, watchbands, hair clasps, and jewelry
- Going to the movies
- Eating out
And so on.
What is necessary? Think about it. Really think about it.
Then figure out how to tighten your own belt and get by until good times roll again. But when they do, don't forget the lessons you've learned. Just as surely as the sun rises and sets each day, tough times will come again for someone, somewhere. As a wise person once said, you can be the answer, not the problem.
Pat another thing when times are tough, it's nice to have a lot of friends, the kind you've kept through good times and bad. I was thinking. I have had to come up with $500. I have cut back on groceries ( using what's in the garden and what we have on hand). Then all of a sudden our friend got an Elk, he asked if he could hang it in our shed as he didn't have anywhere to hang it. We said sure, and hooked up the airconditioning to keep it cool. Today they came over and we butchered it, and wrapped it. We were given a nice lot of meat as a thank you, their daughter came and brought 2 big boxes of Jars with her, she was given them and didn't need any more jars .. but knew she could find someone that would use them. They have narrow tops, but she thought perhaps we could use them. Her mom didn't need any so she gave them to me. I needed some jars to can tomatoes, another need covered. Yesterday I picked apples, we have several wild apple trees around, and another friend who has a yard with 5 apple trees said to help ourselves. So I will pick somemore in a couple of days. Dh helps him with fixing his vehicles.
ReplyDeleteLots of times the help you've given comes back to you when you need it and aren't expecting any. All these extras make it feel like we are rich, we're not, but what a nice way to live.
All our friends are or have had tough times, but we all pull together and all end up so much better off.
Of course we also don't buy anything we don't need, and we don't use credit except the mortgage.
kootenay Annie
Oh Pat, say it isn't so!
ReplyDeleteI routinely avoid 6 out of 7, but no snacks or treats?!
One of my favorite quotations on my frig:
The secret to a happy life is continuous small treats. (Iris Murdoch)
Susan :)
Store bought snacks and treats, Susan! :) You can make most treats a lot cheaper at home.
ReplyDeleteI do make a lot of my own snacks, but haven't yet figured out a way to make my own chocolate ;)
ReplyDeleteSusan
Ah, well, you have to grow a cacao tree! :) Seriously, making treats from baking chocolate isn't too expensive, especially if you get the generic kind.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that folks really have trouble distinguishing between needs and wants. But it's amazing what folks can do without once they get used to it.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly it, Leigh.
ReplyDeleteOh, I definitely make my own treats from chocolate, it's the chocolate itself I can't make. Let's see, one cup of cocoa beans.....
ReplyDeleteSusan :)
When you figure out how to do it, Susan, let us knoW! :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll be the first to know, Pat!
ReplyDeleteSusan :)
LOL!
ReplyDeleteI have been cutting to the bare bones and have done very well! I have a roof over my head and clothing on my back. I am able to save every week just in case harder times come (I am sorry but I don't believe the economy is getting much better.) I DON"T use my gas stove because last winter when I did some baking my gas bill went through the roof! I DO buy snacks ON SALE with a coupon and for me it is cheaper because running my gas stove is a terrible expense! It used to cost me 30.00 a month for my gas bill which was average and I didn't have a problem with that. I cooked and baked A LOT on that $30.00 a month but last winter my bill went up to 89.00 a month for the same amount of cooking and baking I did on the 30.00 a month. So I guess it depends on where you live and what appliances you are using for baking and cooking! I remember the good ol' days when gas was much more cheaper than electricity for cooking! Ode to the good old days!
ReplyDeleteAs the saying goes, "Your mileage may vary." That's quite a hike in gas prices! I think I'd be complaining loudly.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends upon how tight things are - but generally I agree!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of very hard times, Judy, but you're right. On the other hand, if we practice these things daily, we may never see really hard times because we'll be prepared with the money and resources we've already saved.
ReplyDeleteAnd then there's the out of the blue, life changing, "life will never be the same" experience when belt tightening becomes a permanent way of life.
ReplyDeleteA little treat can brighten the day when any other option is out of reach.
Susan :)
That's true, Susan, but even a "little treat" doesn't have to be expensive. It's all in the way you approach it, I guess. :)
ReplyDeleteWe did complain loudly to the gas company who wanted to raise the gas prices 8%! Can you imagine? So far they have put that idea on the back burner (because customers have complained and threatened to take their business elsewhere) but want to bring the hike back in May! It is ridiculous how prices are rising. My concern too is that on the other side of this bad economy there maybe hyper inflation looming around the corner. It sure looks like that to me. Anyway NOW is the time to tighten the belt and save like never before!
ReplyDeleteIf complaining did it once, maybe it will do it again. Maybe you should organize an official protest. Amazingly, sometimes they do listen to us.
ReplyDeleteI agree that hyperinflation is a threat for the not too distant future. Learning and getting used to is now is the key to survival then.
With hyperinflation as perhaps a concern in the near future has anyone started to stock up on food ect. I find it hard to do because of prices but does anyone have suggestions on how to get started?
ReplyDelete"Anonymous," you can start slowly to stock up by spending just $5 extra a shopping trip and concentrating on sales. When you come across a good sale on things you buy anyway, buy as many extras as you possibly can afford.
ReplyDeleteAlso, don't overlook things like salvage groceries and warehouse type stores.Sometimes the best price is at a convenience store. Use a price book to keep track of everything, then you'll know what the best price is no matter where you are.
Pat,
ReplyDeletethanks I am going to put this into practice this week!
Good for you. :)
ReplyDelete