Strategizing To Live Well In A Down Economy

If you are one (like myself) that is being or has been affected by the effects of the current economy, it may be time to step back and assess what can be done differently. Do you have less money coming in? Have you been layed off or downsized? Or possibly you just can't make ends meet on what you have coming in due to the increase in your outgoing costs for the basics like gas and food. Whatever your situation is, you will find there are many ways to reduce or help subsidize your overall living expenses. By the time many of us "wake up" to the fact that things are tough and maybe won't be getting better economically right away... we are in trouble financially.

There are things we can do to rapidly and drastically change our living expenses. You may have to go outside your comfort zones a bit, but tough times call for change. Time to strategize!

• Are you living in an apartment or home where you could bring in a room-mate? Can you open up a bedroom (and bath) to rent? Check your lease agreement and make sure you are not in breach of the lease to do so. Many apartment complexes will allow a new roommate as long as they register with the property management. Home owners can most often rent out a room or share their home without restrictions.


• Do you drive to work? With gas prices so high, it has been difficult for many to continue to commute independently. Seek out others at work who may be interested in car pooling. Many cities now have car pooling directories set up. Inquire with your community, town hall or mayor's office for available options. In some larger traffic dense cities like Atlanta, there are even monetary incentives for people to begin car pooling!


• Have a plan before you shop. No more are the days of picking something up when you have no idea what you are making (or bringing home) for dinner. Develop a menu and shop for what is actually needed. It costs far less to make dinner than eat out. It can go even farther if pre-planning is involved. Shop the sales and buy with the season. Google "budget meals", "frugal meals", and "tips for saving money on food" for lots of ideas to save on your food budget. But remember a sale is only beneficial if you don't succumb to the temptation to buy something you didn't need in the first place because it happens to be "on sale". Plan your menu and snacks and shop accordingly. Make the days of shopping on the fly a thing of the past. Now, you shop smart... you are on a mission! Huge savings can be derived with just a plan.
  
• Consider buying used instead of new. Check garage sales, consignment shops, thrift stores or http://www.craigslist.org/ for items that you (or your children) need. Often you can buy gently or rarely used items for a fraction of what it would cost you to purchase new. Consider that in a couple weeks or more your new item will be in the gently used category. How much more are you paying to have that new smell for 2 weeks? If you choose and shop carefully, you can buy almost anything at a far reduced price. Many people are selling items now to make ends meet. As always use good judgment and check it out before you buy. If your gut instinct says something "doesn't feel right" no matter what it looks like, don't buy it.
  
• Find more cost effective forms of entertainment. Don't just park yourself or your family in front of the TV! There are so many great things to do for very little money. Check you local paper for free events like concerts on main street or in the park. Check out nearby walking or hiking trails, waterfalls or scenic or historic areas you can explore and enjoy. If you walk into cool shops along your way, pick up postcards or ideas (note how something is made to duplicate it or just appreciate it's artistic value - but leave it on the shelf... :). Instead of going out to dinner at your favorite restaurant either go for the lunch specials or enjoy desert anytime after you have dinner at home (consider ordering water - beverages are often the most overpriced items on the menu unless you are going to be there for a while and make use of the refills). Cook out on the grill or better yet go to a park to grill or take a picnic and let the kids play on the swings. Find a park or public area with ducks & geese (be careful of the geese they can be a little aggressive at times) and feed them stale bread. (The kids will love throwing out a few pieces of bread in the water and watching the ducks clamor to get them.) Go camping (if you don't have equipment, consider borrowing it). Check out the discount movie theatres or special pricing deals (at times at off times such as Saturday morning before noon theatres will have strongly reduced prices). Go to an arboretum and enjoy the flowers and butterflies or take a paddle boat out on a local lake... There are so many great low cost things you can do if you open yourself to new experiences and discoveries. You might find that you have been missing out on a whole lot by taking the easy road (like a big meal out and/or movies out with all the super expensive eats) of "entertainment" for so long! Hey, have fun out there! If you don't feel like getting out... why not grab a good book or put on some music (or both) and light a few candles and relax for a while. Life doesn't have to be expensive to enjoy. The simple things, laughing hilariously at a silly joke, relaxing in a hot bath to candle light, gazing out over a lake or waterfall, watching your kids play in the park, reading a good book or writing a good book, painting a sunset or watching a sun rise or set... now that's what I call living at it's best!

For the more adventurous free spirits that are open to more creative and out of the norm alternative living ideas like RV and/or vandwelling... look for a feature blog article coming soon!

For now, enjoy life and explore new ways and ideas to save monies and you will not only make it through these challenging economic times, but you may find yourself a lot richer in a lot of ways far more important than the almighty dollar! And again I say: Have fun out there! Life is meant to be enjoyed. I think many times in the USA in particular we have come to equate enjoyment and happiness with the ability to buy things or do what we want when we want it... the bigger (or more) is better concept: Go off for the weekend and stay in a hotel and then buy the big dinner and then buy the mementos and before you know it that "relaxing" weekend away costs you several hundred dollars! Instead... how about camping out by a lake, river or waterfall and enjoy activities in a state or national park... Explore beautiful trails and sites, enjoy the sights and sounds of a meal cooking over an open fire or grill while people laugh and talk and share... And at the end of the weekend, still have money to put gas in your vehicle to get to work next week! And tell me who really experienced and enjoyed the weekend?

If we allow them to, the monetary challenges many of us are facing now, just may end up fueling the very best in us. What started out as "saving money" and making ends meet, could end up being the catalyst for positively life changing experiences. Awaken, breath... take in the simply wonderful choices in life.

Handling Life Changes

Have you ever been there? All of a sudden everything in your life seems to be shifting and changing. It is very scary and yet a little exciting at the same time. All the security is suddenly gone... well the security based on earthly things that is... but it is sobering... it stuns you a bit. One minute you feel relieved that the crazy pace of the merry go round' will finally be stopping soon and the next minute you realize that although you have been spinning to the insanity of it for too long, it paid your bills, so you kept spinning until it felt almost normal for things to often spin crazily. Then one day you knew it was stopping... it was happening so suddenly that you began to hang on to columns that held it together. And then you saw it all clearly as it was slowing... it was time... time for you to get off and start the next phase of your life.

That is where I am right now. The merry go 'round is still spinning but I know it will be stopping here very shortly. And that changes everything. A life upside down... or is it? Even though it robs us of our own life and debilitates our health, do we grow so accustomed to the craziness that we accept it for the monetary security it buys us? I guess the answer in my case is yes, for a while anyway. But now the time has come... and my stomach feels nauseous (after all I have been spinning madly for quite a while now) and my head and back hurt while I try and prepare to get off the crazy ride. Soon it will stop and I will walk away. I imagine my legs will feel a little weak as they learn to steady themselves on the stable ground.

I know the direction in which I am headed and everything about it awakens me. And yet there is much preparation between now and then and many questions I don't have an answer for yet. Change is scary indeed, but it can also be liberating and exciting. Today as I am still standing on the merry go 'round and dealing with all that means, one part of me is crying inside as I am leaving all I have worked for behind... it hurts, I am sad... a grieving is happening quietly inside as I work busily preparing for that thud of a stop that I know is coming soon. And yet... as I gaze out into the future there is another part of me that I can see smiling in life as it was meant to be, breathing again... living fully again... Is that me? That woman laughing as the breeze blows through her hair? Do you see her? She is free of many things... she lives differently than some can understand and yet she is free... do you see her? I almost can now... The door that was is shutting, and I can almost see a big beautiful window beginning to open...

Living Within Your Means or Even Better Below Your Means!

Why are we in a recession, economic downtrend, or "term of your choosing"? Well, many reasons, but most of it has to do with debt in some form or another. And, the #1 cause behind it whether it be individuals or even our government, is that most of us simply lived bigger than we could afford to & have done so for a very long time! How much better would it be if we lived as many of our relatives of the yesteryears lived; below their means, saving some monies for a "rainy day" or possibly emergencies (ie: the unexpected in whatever form it appears).

What happened in the last 2 to 3 decades that has led us here?

In the 50s and 60s credit cards became more and more the norm and continually increased in popularity. By the 80s people became accustomed to buying when it suited them on their credit cards (whether they could "afford it" or not). They paid the interest to have it all "now". The problem is most of the time it was borrowed against future earnings expected. As life "happened" and the unexpected took place ie: car repairs, lost earnings at work, or unexpected expenses in any form, in addition to the fact that many people hopped around to find the work that suited them, or for whatever the reason, weren't earning as much as they were spending. In many cases that gap between earnings and expenses just kept becoming bigger and bigger until the gap became a canyon. Years of buying vehicles, homes and lots of "stuff" on credit loans and credit cards have caught up with us. Even the U.S. government has a ridiculous amount of debt compared to the 80s. I heard recently that much of the U.S. debt has been underwritten (purchased/invested in) by foreign entities and countries, including a huge portion to the Middle East! That is disturbing to me!

Today, there are scads of news stories about riding bicycles to work, spending less, and living differently. I am convinced that as difficult as the economy is on many of us, whether it be from the affects of lay-offs from companies downsizing or closing down, or homes being lost due to the too big mortgages previously committed to, or the prices up up and away on everything from gas to food, many have had to make some big changes. We as a nation are talking, walking, and spending differently for the most part. For many years most of us have been living week to week. When the economy goes haywire, that wreaks havoc on all that are living too tightly to begin with, or, worse steeped in debt.

I personally believe that if we allow it to, this can be a wake-up call for us as individuals as well as our government leaders. Often people only change when they have no other choice or their concerns outweigh their "live for the moment" mentality. The statistics confirm that many of us are currently not spending as frivolously. And the credit cards I suspect are being used mostly for survival (as a substitue for lack of savings) instead of "stuff". Far less people are buying new vehicles or homes these days. When I see and hear all the huge sales on vehicles and homes and other big ticket items, it reminds me that to be debt free today is a gift of huge proportions. Today can be the day for change, for forethought, for wisdom. I truly hope we all learn from these pivotal times that appears to have enveloped us in the latter months of 2007 and deepened in severity through 2009 thus far. Is it tough... absolutely! But I do believe we all can and need to learn the important lessons and long term benefits of living within and below our means.

All that said, those that may have been thought to be a bit off the societal paths in their thinking and/or possibly laughed at for their frugality and voluntary simplicity (from simple choices to the major off the grid folks) may now get some respect for those choices (if not some envy)! I also believe that those of us who know how to live well in simple ways; for example knowing how to camp and cook simply and even those who have downsized to live in an RV (hopefully paid for) are often ahead of the line in their/our abilities to live well in tough economic times. Suddenly knowing how to live well in a small RV or a van doesn't seem nearly as odd and ludicrous to the societal masses anymore. I am personally, so thankful to be (continually learning) and preparing to van dwell or live as simply as becomes necessary, while still enjoying the comforts that are personally important to me. I think it is a gift to be of that mindset. I feel empowered by the lessons learned by having traveled across the USA a few years ago in a small pick-up camper on my then Dodge Dakota mid-sized truck. I am glad I have been a camper and know how to live more simply if necessary. I am admittedly a gadget girl, and love my laptop and techy gadgets, and although I confess I would have a hard time without my laptop for very long, I can grill over an open fire, happily pass the time by reading a book, know just enough about using an inverter and emergency power source to get me by when needed, and if I had to I could use a simple porta potty without having a nervous breakdown over it. Those of you who are free thinkers and always enjoyed the freedom of alternative living ideas, I believe are better for it in these times. For those of you who have cringed at the thought of living without your morning $7 cup of coffee, or traveling without staying in a $100 per night hotel, there may be be some relearning and adjustments necessary along the way. But that's OK, you are bright and you can learn to do things more frugally and simpler if need be, right?

Yep, America is changing... then again maybe the bulk of the tough times will soon go away and once again everything will go back to the numbness of spending and going deeper and deeper into debt without much thought. I hope things getter better soon but I hope we don't go back to our living beyond our means and all that has brought us here. I saddley suspect being creatures of habit, that once the immediate pain has subsided many of not most will go right back to their old ways of living far beyond their means. But will you or I? No... not I, I made that choice months ago and thankfully am now debt free. I may not own a home as you do, or a new vehicle, but I have a paid for 97 GMC Safari Van and am doing OK and am very grateful not to have a bunch of debt weighing me down.

The economy is rough in other countries as well, but here in America we have been ripe for this for quite some time now. It is a rude awakening for most of us. Whether it be taking care of our individual households or running companies, things are challenging these days for many of not most of us! But we can learn and live and be ultimately better for the lessons from it.

Living within your means = Good Choice! ~ Living below your means = Wise Choice!!!

Safely and Happily Back Home

I got home from vacation this afternoon just after 5:00 PM. Vacation was good. I enjoyed it much. There were amazing moments and tough moments, but all in all it was good, really good. I learned alot about myself and others as well. I am glad however, to be home! I am writing this leaning up against my big down pillows and memory foam pillows that I know just how to organize to be most comfortable for me. Maybe "home" is not so much about what size it is or type it is but what we make of it. I find that I tend to live in limited spaces and make those spaces suit me very well. Even when I was at the cabin this week, though it has two bedrooms I pretty much lived in the main room and slept on the futon in there as well. I think the "outside" was so gloriously expansive that I didn't need so much space on the inside. Yep... Maybe it is much more about what we do with the "space" we have. For me if I am comfortable and cool (I don't like being hot) I am in good shape. Add in a few simple comforts and I am a happy woman. I guess I'm pretty low maintenance!

I had time towards the end of the weekend with my Mom, my extended family and last night and today some good one on one time with my 26 year old son. When I left to drive home, I was satisfied with the time I spent on vacation, both by myself and with others. It wasn't perfect as life rarely is. But overall, it's been a good week. Even the tough stuff seemed to find resolution. I have also made strong personal commitments (to myself and God) to doing the things that will improve my health and fitness. I guess you could say the quiet time allowed me to see and hear more clearly what truly does matter.

Tonight, I don't feel alone or lonely, I feel satisfied and thankful. I am very glad to have tomorrow to do laundry, do my hair and just relax before going back to work on Monday and facing the deluge of decisions and tasks that will be awaiting me. It's OK though... I'm ready to back until it is time for me to make my more permanent escape to those mountains that seem to call my name. For now, I will go back in September for the labor day weekend. In the meantime, I invite you to do some simple things for yourself: Light a fragrant candle, take a hot bath with candles and music, lay back on comfy pillows and read a good book, listen to some awesome music, call someone and tell them you love them, forgive someone who has hurt you and then forgive yourself, write, pray, sing, laugh... Enjoy your life. It truly is the simple things that matter.

Blessings for Your Journey, Brenda
www.LordandCurtiss.ws

Just Keep Moving & You May Find Yourself In the Midst of Your Bliss

This is my last night at the cabin in the GA mountains. Vacation so far has been wonderful... not big huge roller coaster rides, instead hearing and smelling the rain saturating the forest around me, sitting on the cabin porch in a big cedar rocker hearing the birds singing in the morning and the crickets chirp at night. Simplicity and quiet... it has been so good for me. Right now the movie "Hope Floats" has just come on and I am about to shut down my laptop to watch it. I smiled when I saw it was coming on. It is one of those movies I enjoy watching from time to time. Sandra Bullock plays Bertie, a woman who is stunned on a talk show when her "best friend" confesses that she had been having an affair with her husband for a year. The reality of it all starts with her (their) young daughter shown sitting in the front row of the show crying her eyes out. The movie goes on to tell Birdie and her 8 year old daughter's tale of starting over. It is sad and funny and filled with a lot of deep truths beyond the simple lines. It reminds me that life isn't perfect, people are often far from perfect, but somehow things seem to work out for the best more often than not. The secret is in learning the lessons and moving forward... keep moving forward. When we learn the lessons of life, even those thrust upon us, it can often turn out that the devastation can be catalyst for better things if we just keep moving forward... past the pain into the new path.

Ok yeah I am a bit reflective. I guess it is obvious I have been here by myself for 3 days. :) It has been good for me to relax and not have the stress and crazy pace of work. And, now I am ready to go and pick up my mom in SC to head out for a couple days to the NC mountains. We are staying a couple nights in a very nice B&B. I have never stayed in a B&B before. I am kind of a private person and just never desired to. However, this seems like the perfect place to enjoy and be a bit pampered out in a beautiful little NC resort town (also) in the mountains. I know mom is excited about going, and I am as well. Then back to SC for family 4th of July & Birthday celebrations.

On "Hope Floats" Bernice (the little daughter) was just introduced in her new small town school. They moved from Chicago back to the small town where her mom and dad grew up. You see I know the end of the story. And though there is a lot of pain and messiness along the way, it ends up that she knows who she is. It ends up better, I believe, than if she had stayed in a marriage that she wasn't fully alive and well. Maybe I like the movie because it is so much like life. It's just not all pretty stuff. I am glad I have had time to reflect and sit and be quiet without the diversions that so often overwhelm us so loudly in our society. I will miss these mountains. But I will be back in September for the Labor Day weekend. Until then I am really going try not to get so sucked up into working all the time and not living outside that as much as I should. In the meantime... I have more vacation to enjoy.

I am laughing... this little girl is a hoot... she really stole the show. What a little actor she is. I guess when someone is full of life and genuine spirit it just has to shine out. I pray I will bloom and shine and make a difference wherever I am.

Blessings to You & Yours as you discover your place and purpose. (Even if that means you have to get a bit scratched up by some thorns along the way...) Signing off for now...

~Brenda of http://www.lordandcurtiss.ws/