BAD ECONOMY (stretching your money)

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Dario

Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2005
Messages
8,222
Location
Austin, TX, USA.
Any of you guys feeling the pinch?

Any pointers to help our members save?

My tip/reminder:
With gas prices;
have your car tuned,
check your tire pressure,
plan your trips,
use a higher MPG vehicle if you have an option,
take out unnecessary load off your vehicle,
carpool,
use mass transit (bus, train, etc.) if possible
etc.

Maybe this way you can save a bit (or have more to buy kits or Nolan's burls :D LOL)
 
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I am sorry, not meaning to put other countries out because I know they must be feeling similar stuff so have at it too. :D;)
 
Dairo, I am so pinched....... I have actually said to myself, do I really need to make this car trip even if it's only 10 miles.
A couple of things I do to help us make it pay check to pay check.
1. I combine trips
2. I stopped making trips, just to check things out, to the big box stores.
3. We do not have a super Walmart near us, but for whatever the regular Walmart carries and we use, we buy it there. In this area, I can save an average of 75 cents for every item I buy at Walmart instead of our Foodtown or ShopRite. It sounds incredible, but I save about 40 dollars twice a month. If it isn't food and I can buy it at Walmart, that's where I buy it.
4. I have stopped going once a quarter to Atlantic City
:( now its just special occations
5. I have switched to Geico (it's true, its much cheaper)
6. I take advantage of the land line phone company specials that sometimes they don't tell you about. Call your phone company and ask them what better deals they have for you. You might be very surprised. I was.

I hope this helps someone :)
 
BUY AMERICAN!!!

Our stuff is cheap, our labor gets paid well in those crummy, weak American dollars. Bring over all that European and Canadian REAL money and trade with us for those puny little dollars!!! AMERICA IS HAVING A SALE -- INVITE YOUR FRIENDS FROM OVERSEAS!!!

To the Americans: Stay home, buy a couple gamees for your kids and PLAY WITH them!!! Reestablish the American FAMILY!!! Fight crime - it won't be YOUR kid in jail!!! If everyone feels this way, the jails will become empty (don't hold your breath). But, you MAY get to KNOW your KIDS!!!
 
Originally posted by ed4copies

To the Americans: Stay home, buy a couple gamees for your kids and PLAY WITH them!!! Reestablish the American FAMILY!!! But, you MAY get to KNOW your KIDS!!!
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My best recent investment was a box of cards (Bicycle Playing card co, Cincinatti Ohio)...play games with the family several times a week! Cheaper than going out and fun to boot!
 
Originally posted by GBusardo


If it isn't food and I can buy it at Walmart, that's where I buy it.

5. I have switched to Geico (it's true, its much cheaper)
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I also use Walmart a lot...I know they sell mostly imported products but can't afford those sold elsewhere.

On insurance, check your premium every time you renew. I once was with Geico and they are cheap...but my premium slowly crept up (no accidents or other changes). When I told them I am switching, they kept asking me to stay and they will "fix" the problem. I told them that their way of "rewarding" loyalty sucks and moved. I will try them again if my current insurance try to trick me too.
 
Seeing how Hersheys close (wifes job) and housing market and construction is in the tank (my job) I guess I sell burl[B)]
 
I know what you mean Nolan. We store Hersheys in one of my company's warehouses and it is being shut down this year due to their cutbacks/move. The company is trying to find jobs elsewhere in the company, but that is a lot of people to "fit" in.
Andy
 
Originally posted by twoofakind

I know what you mean Nolan. We store Hersheys in one of my company's warehouses and it is being shut down this year due to their cutbacks/move. The company is trying to find jobs elsewhere in the company, but that is a lot of people to "fit" in.
Andy
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Good luck, I live in a pretty small town so prospects for a good replacement job are very slim as she worked there for long enough to advance and become a company employee which helped a little on the going out end. Went on a job interview the other day and the job only paid 1/3[B)] Oh well she is enjoying staying home with little Nolan:D Always a bright side no matter how dark it may feel at times.
 
Originally posted by Ron in Drums PA

Originally posted by ed4copies

BUY AMERICAN!!!
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Nuff Said
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I agree but realistically, how many of us really do? Check your shop. Where is that lathe and other equipment from? The kits? etc.

I want to but can't...thus fueling that vicious cycle.

Yeah, I am part of the problem. :([V]
 
Dario, My Geico cost has actually gone down, probably because my NJ insurance was so high to begin with. I will watch out for it though, thanks :)
 
Gary and Dario,

You are both right and I'm guilty as well.
There are too many products on the shelves that are from other nations, many times we don't have a choice. I wish we still did.

I fear it will get allot worse before it gets better. We are in it for the long haul.

Gary, IMO this is not political, just economics and I'll stop here.
 
Originally posted by Ron in Drums PA

I fear it will get allot worse before it gets better. We are in it for the long haul.
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Much as I want to hope you are mistaken...I agree with you 100% (fearfully). Almost everyone I read/listen/watch agree as well.
 
Interesting, Dawn was talking with Steven (Skiprat) while he was in the USA. He WANTED a souvenier MADE IN AMERICA!! Wasn't easy.

This IS a sad state of affairs, but major companies are coming back to US manufactured, due to lead times and "lost goods". Our "just in time" inventory system is not well-suited to 4 week transport. There IS hope.

Because I don't want anyone to take this as political, let's just say foreign products (read WalMart) have allowed us to purchase a lot more STUFF than the more expensive clothing we once bought, made in USA. HOWEVER, every General Electric jet engine used by Airbus will go a long way to balancing out thousands of pairs of pants.

The weak dollar CAN have great advantages.

(color me stupid, where did the Hershey's jobs go???? We still eat chocolate, where's it being made now?? )
 
Hi Guys.. I hear what you are saying but unfortunately what happens in the Usa soon spreads around the world. The global econamy is going down the toilet as well. We are seeing the price of everything rise. Petrol prices over here alone are going through the roof. $10 per gallon ( just to give you an idea of how bad things are over here)

We ALL have to change our ways. but where do you go.. The workforce needs the higher wages to pay for the food on their table..yet the higher wages are part of what is driving inflation and pushing the price of everything up.

The far east can pay their workers less so we buy from them as they can keep their costs down..that leaves our workforce short of work and they start losing their jobs. We then need more tax from those in work to pay the social benefits to those who are out of work ....and so it goes on.

I am not looking forward to the next few years
 
It's funny that this thread is happening now. I was just notified of upcoming cutbacks. Since I have been out for a while due to a previous injury, I am going to be one of the first to go according to a friend that works in HR. It really sucks because I am maybe one more surgery away from going back to work. I guess I won't have any work to go back to. At least I still get my pension from the government, but I don't know what some of the other guys that didn't make it to pension time will do.
By the way, Geico tripled my rate a few years back because my sister had over a dozen claims and tickets. Because of the last name being the same and I made the mistake of letting her use my address, I got hit hard. I switched to another company that gave me a lower rate than my original one, and after a year they doubled the rate for no reason. I left them and went back to Geico, who gave me a rate that was lower than I had been paying them in the first place. I think that they may roll a set of dice to figure out my rates. My sister no longer uses my address for her insurance or anything else.
The economy is going to keep getting worse as long as we keep supporting a war that is not getting anywhere and has no purpose. I was taught to only fight if you can win,and if you are going to fight, make sure that it is worth winning. But my job is my job and I have to do as I was told. By the way, I had to drive my son to the airport yesterday so he could report back in and prepare to ship out to Iraq for his 3rd tour there. This crap has to end and soon, for everybodys sake.
 
While Sam Walton was still alive Walmart went to great lengths to stock only American made brands of items if they could find them. It didn't take them long after his departure to change that.

As for feeling the pinch... yesterday I found myself thinking about buying an old VW Beetle for the commute on days I can't ride my Harley. The bad part is that with the higher gas prices, everything else will go up proportionately... except our income, of course! And it IS going to get worse before it gets better. Especially w/corporate greed at an all time high and ethics in the tank.:(

Don't get me wrong. I do not begrudge anyone making a profit. But when you are posting record profits in the billions to the detriment of the consumer (hence the nation) you deserve to burn in hell.:(
 
Originally posted by ed4copies


(color me stupid, where did the Hershey's jobs go???? We still eat chocolate, where's it being made now?? )
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Monterey, Mexico, The newest hotspot of American Corps.
 
Originally posted by Jarheaded

...if you are going to fight, make sure that it is worth winning. But my job is my job and I have to do as I was told. By the way, I had to drive my son to the airport yesterday so he could report back in and prepare to ship out to Iraq for his 3rd tour there. This crap has to end and soon, for everybodys sake.
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Thank you for your service as well as your son's.

Countless American soldiers put their lives on the line serving. Some die, maimed, torn from their family or mentally scarred. Is it worth it? To some maybe...but try telling that to those who lost a spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, friend, etc.

We also spend (four?) BILLIONS of dollars a month to sustain this war while some of our people here are loosing their house and dignity. I can think of a few things where we can put all those money to better use.

I cringe when people rejoice and claim death is reduced by so and so % when we can easily make that ZERO if we want (or should have been zero to begin with)!!!

I agree with you and hope this stops soon!!!

(Moderators: If this post is political, which may be, please feel free to delete it.)
 
Originally posted by alamocdc

While Sam Walton was still alive Walmart went to great lengths to stock only American made brands of items if they could find them. It didn't take them long after his departure to change that.

As for feeling the pinch... yesterday I found myself thinking about buying an old VW Beetle for the commute on days I can't ride my Harley. The bad part is that with the higher gas prices, everything else will go up proportionately... except our income, of course! And it IS going to get worse before it gets better. Especially w/corporate greed at an all time high and ethics in the tank.:(

Don't get me wrong. I do not begrudge anyone making a profit. But when you are posting record profits in the billions to the detriment of the consumer (hence the nation) you deserve to burn in hell.:(
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Well said.
Bob
 
Originally posted by n4631x

Originally posted by ed4copies


(color me stupid, where did the Hershey's jobs go???? We still eat chocolate, where's it being made now?? )
Click to expand...

Monterey, Mexico, The newest hotspot of American Corps.
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Thanks Nolan. IF it helps at all, Mexico is complaining that all the trinkets sold in Mexico City are now made in China - they can't understand why these "trinket jobs" left their country!!!

(I find a certain amount of irony in that)
 
Originally posted by ed4copies

Originally posted by n4631x

Originally posted by ed4copies


(color me stupid, where did the Hershey's jobs go???? We still eat chocolate, where's it being made now?? )
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Monterey, Mexico, The newest hotspot of American Corps.
Click to expand...

Thanks Nolan. IF it helps at all, Mexico is complaining that all the trinkets sold in Mexico City are now made in China - they can't understand why these "trinket jobs" left their country!!!

(I find a certain amount of irony in that)
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LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! classic
 
Originally posted by alamocdc

While Sam Walton was still alive Walmart went to great lengths to stock only American made brands of items if they could find them. It didn't take them long after his departure to change that.
Click to expand...

Not to disillusion you about Mr. Walton, but in 1985-86, while he was still alive, I worked as the export manager and traffic coordinator in the Houston office of a very large custom house import broker office that had part of the Wal-Mart company as a client.. we regularly cleared container after container load of goods from China, Taiwan, and other 3rd world countries that was destined to Wal-Mart stores... the sales slogan at W-M at that time was "We buy American".

We also cleared bulk tankers of orange juice from Brazil destined to the big OJ distributors and Coconut and Palm oil from Indonesia for Proctor and Gable. It's been a long time since we really had strong "American made" goods. I remember that back in the 50's and maybe up into the 60's a lot of goods were labeled "American Made" or "Union Made" ... you don't see that much anymore.

And in keeping with Dario's theme, my wife and I do schedule our trips.. I just had to spend $45 for 13 gallons of gas.. plan to make that last as long as possible.

On Insurance, I looked into Geico, but AARP's Hartford had a better rate for me... I switched from State Farm where I had been for 25 years, to Hartford and dropped my auto insurance by half.
 
Nolan, you and your mates in the building game might end up in Oz!. We have a substantial housing shortage over here and a serious shortage of skilled trades people in the building area. One idea floated by the Federal Government is to issue working visas/permits to Americans in the building game to come over here and help out. The figures being floated are in the thousands - up to 15 thousand is one figure I've heard.
Think about it!!:):):)[^]
 
Originally posted by R2

Nolan, you and your mates in the building game might end up in Oz!. We have a substantial housing shortage over here and a serious shortage of skilled trades people in the building area. One idea floated by the Federal Government is to issue working visas/permits to Americans in the building game to come over here and help out. The figures being floated are in the thousands - up to 15 thousand is one figure I've heard.
Think about it!!:):):)[^]
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Now, that's what I call going out of your way to teach us a little about Australia. I bet a lot of Americans would volunteer for that project!! :D:D:D
 
Chuck where you at Walmart when Hillary was on the Board of Directors?

---

I also pay for my own health insurance. Historically, I would always find the best price my joining a group
as HBA (Home Builder's Assoc), Chamber of Commerce and so, just to get group pricing. Even paying membership fees It was still the cheaper than going direct to Blue Cross.

The last time my policy came up for renewal, I checked with Blue Cross and surprisingly they where 30% cheaper than going with a group.

I've heard some horror stories with Aflac, enough that I would suggest to stay away from them.
 
Ron,
I didn't work for Wal-Mart... just their custom's broker.. I'd never heard of Hillary until Bill got elected Prez...

R2, I'm not in the building trade, but might learn to swing a hammer for a chance to visit the Ozland... last frontier world on Earth.:D
 
Originally posted by R2

Nolan, you and your mates in the building game might end up in Oz!. We have a substantial housing shortage over here and a serious shortage of skilled trades people in the building area. One idea floated by the Federal Government is to issue working visas/permits to Americans in the building game to come over here and help out. The figures being floated are in the thousands - up to 15 thousand is one figure I've heard.
Think about it!!:):):)[^]
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Please PM me as I have family there and would love to move. Got boat records to prove it:D Plus my grandama was A war bride, and Dad even went to school there.
 
Nolan has it right... find additional revenue streams.

As for buying American, how many use a lathe that is made in America? I retrofitted an old Wards Powercraft and built another from scratch. How many pen turners use a mini-lathe? Not one is made here that I am aware of.[B)]

Same goes for lathe tools. Most are made overseas somewhere. Doug Thompson makes Cryogenic treated MADE IN THE USA turning tools but most turners complain about his prices and he is 1/3 the price of the Jerry Glazer tools![B)]

Know any Made in America chucks that are currently on your lathes?[B)]

How many casters use the Famous HF Pressure Pot "on sale for $39" to cast their resin blanks?[B)]

How many use Grizzly or HF live and dead centers for their B2B turning techniques?[B)]

How about your MT Collet Chucks? Did you pay $79 for a chuck and 6 collets or did your pay $150 for an "American" chuck and $15-$25 for each collet... even then it is most likely European.[B)]

How many drive a Toyota because they last for decades. Even the ones "assembled" in America are comprised of a huge percentage of parts from overseas. Guess how Japan got around paying a higher import duty on turcks... they removed the beds and they were reclassified as passenger vehicles... shipped the beds separate and had the dealers reinstall them. If it were your business would you have done the same thing? You bet you would!

Made in America is fine. But like most consumer driven commodities, price is king. America cannot compete globally because Americans cannot afford American Made or want to save money for other items.

Made in America sounds good but has lost its steam over the years. We cannot afford Made in America, Made in America has quality issues far too often, and Made in America is only based on a percentage of parts or services that "has" to be, supplied from or performed in, America</u>.

Find ways to make more money so you can afford to buy and repair Made in America. No one guaranteed America a corner on the global economic market.:D

And for the record, it is not the oil producing countries forcing the price of gas through the roof. It is the Wall Street speculators buying Oil Futures on the Commodities Market that is forcing the price up... and making millions... in the Made in America</u>, Laissez Faire</u>, Capitalistic Free Enterprise System.</u>

Laissez Faire

"The theory or system of government that upholds the autonomous character of the economic order, believing that government should intervene as little as possible in the direction of economic affairs.</u>"[^]

Okay, have at me, but please be gentle:D[:p]... I have to turn some wood on my Made in America Antique Lathe retrofitted with EXPENSIVE American Made parts![}:)]:D
 
In the spirit of this post, isn't there anyone else that has a money saving tip that maybe we haven't thought of? We know the economic problems of the world and what we think might be causing them. Unfortunately, we cannot do much about them. Any penny pinchers out there that can share their secrets?
 
Ways to save was the original topic and since money is tight, I will only use 1 cent of my 2 cents.....

We had 3 teenage boys in the house all 1 yr apart up until a few years ago...just imagine the food they could eat! We kept a freezer for the specials....somebody had chicken on sale, I bought enough for a month, sale on green beans, I bought as many as I could...you get the idea. Coupons are your friend. Watch you budget: I kept a running total of my purchases as I shopped. I planned a menu each week and stuck to it. Eating out was (and still is) a special thing.

Scrabble is still good entertainment.

Plan all the trips for the same day so you don't waste gas or time. Learn those good driving habits...ease off the gas well before you have to stop, accelerate slowly

Little things add up: open the curtains and blinds on the south side windows in winter for some free solar heat, shut the vents and doors on the empty boys's rooms...no since heating or cooling unused space.

We figured out we used the cell phones all the time and never the house phone...$50 down the drain each month....easy decision and no long distance charges on the cells...while the kids were in college, they used the cells to call home, no local phone bills....and we could talk every day (after 7 of course)

Research before you spend....several of you mentioned car insurance...I work in the claims department of one of those companies so I don't know much about rates except that they are very fluid...call your carrier and ask about getting a lower rate....if taking a $40 defensive driving course will get you $50 off your insurance for 2 years, you just saved $60 over the next 2 yrs...can you get a discount for combining home and car....if you have an agent, are they splitting your vehicles into separate policies instead of a multiple car discount?

Most of this is common sense but I have a team of people fresh out of college that report to me that all think this stuff is something special.

sorry, I guess I gave the entire two cents.
 
Clip coupons. I saw a family once (ahead of me on the line) and can't believe that out of their $250 dollar purchase...$40.00 was taken off due to coupons.

Watch out for sales especially on food items and supplies you always use at home.

My 4 year old daughter actually begs me to wash the car with her...she enjoys it so much!!!

Trips/picnics at parks are enjoyable.

Gardening can be a family affair...and if you plant herbs & veggies, save on those later too.

Cook and eat more at home...eating out really costs a lot.

Buying in bulk used to be cheaper...not always anymore so watch those unit prices instead.

Anyone wear hand me down still? I do.

Recently purchased a lot of 4 pairs of Clarks leather shoes on eBay for $39.99 (plus $19.99 shipping & ins). Store samples but looks new (can't beat that).

I use Brita water filter (2 gallon in fridge) for drinking water...bottled water is expensive.

Pay bills online or by phone if possible and save on postage.

Use your phone instead of running around if possible (insert yellow pages ad here ;)).

Setting the thermostat a little higher saves a lot on cooling bills (I have mine on 74).

Going out always translate to expense (gas plus those impulse purchases)

BUDGET...have a realistic one and stick to it.
 
For the past 3 years I've had to live on a very meager income. I reduced my auto insurance to state required liability insurance and dropped my towing, which I've since been able to purchase again at Triple A. Unfortuantely, I've had to reduce my driving, and don't get to see my kids and grandkids as much as I'd like, but do save fuel to be there for Birthday's and special occasions.

I'm sure I would qualify for food stamps--but, I won't go that route. I've found a large savings with my food bill by purchasing at a local Grocery Outlet Store. If you have one near you, I suggest checking it out. Some products are close to or are outdated, but I've found large savings in most areas. The savings can be tremendous---I've been purchasing 3 packs of frozen pizzas (probably each pizza is 12" or larger) for $2.99.

Another great place to find savings can be your $Dollar store. I've save a great deal there on labels, tape, popcorn, etc.
 
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