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How has the recession affected you? No snark, please. This is a serious topic. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:02 pm

Comments

Yes, can’t attend as many fundraisers as before.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:06 pm
Fortunately, not much.

I have watched a boatload of my peers be walked out the door, though. People about whom I could easily say “it could have been me”.

No doubt I have pulled in the spending a bit also. Nothing serious, but trimming here and there.

Comment by Pat Collins Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:08 pm
Thankfully, I still have a job. The recession is probably positive for me so far, with the lower gas prices, and billions of federal stimulus dollars being spread around. Seeing others in need makes me appreciate what I have, and encourages me to help others who are not so fortunate.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:08 pm
Being the manager of a small, non profit organization– I have seen our investments tumble. We have always used the interest for programs and activities and there is no interest. Therefore, no one got a raise this past year; and we have cut out all “non mandatory by corporate” travel. We also do not have per diem for board members.

On a personal level, my husband’s company has gone through a round of layoffs. We managed to become almost debt free, by saving to buy our first house and not spending. We are still saving for retirement (about 30 years away) but it is depressing to notice on your statements that the amount you started with on January 2008, even with your investments, was still less come January 2009.

Comment by Ag Girl Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:11 pm
We are waiting for our first home to get foreclosed on because it will not sale; actually it almost sold, but the mortgage company would not contact us, the realtor, or anyone to finalize the deal. So now we wait for the end. I am glad I have a job, but it bites to see the house where my wife and I first lived fall apart.

Comment by bored on 1 Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:12 pm
Luckily my spouse and I still have jobs but I do worry A LOT.
When the economy got bad in past years I was young enough that I had nothing in the market to lose and always figured I could get a job because I was young. Now at 50, I’m looking a things differently and I have lost a good portion of my retirement fund.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:12 pm
How has the recession affected me? Property values in my neighborhood have plummeted and I cannot sell my house. Happily, I remain employed, though several of my neighbors cannot say the same.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:13 pm
Knock wood, nothing yet beyond my 401k being turned into a 104k like everyone else.

But I am watching nervously as incoming work at my employer (a small ESOP software shop) slows down to a trickle… I think I’m both senior and junior enough to survive a downturn, but it doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies.

Comment by Ken in Aurora Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:15 pm
Fortunately, hasn’t had an effect on me.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:21 pm
Bad news: my retirement account only lost half its value last year. Good news, I only need to work until I’m 80 to retire in “comfort.”

Like many consumers, I’m hoarding all of my cash thinking my job could disappear before the end of the year. Already sold my car, though my wife still has hers. Won’t be buying a new car for the foreseeable future.

Trying to start a family in a small house since selling isn’t an option at the moment. All in all, it could be worse but I hope it doesn’t come to that. For all of our sakes.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:28 pm
Lost about 25% of my 401k. Business (advertising) is down as clients are holding onto their cash, losing money or have lost access to lines of credit.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:29 pm
I’ve curtailed spending money, for example, making a sandwich at home instead of going out for lunch.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:30 pm
Honestly, not really. We are paying more at the grocery store and my 401K plan does not look as healthy as it did last year but, we haven’t made too many changes to our standard of living. It probably helps that we are savers and pay off credit cards in full each month.

Comment by sneaker Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:31 pm
Aside from the market hammering, the recession financially has not caused acute pain as yet. However, it is the uncertainty and lack of confidence in our leaders that has a major, yet unmeasurable toll on one’s attitude. Yes, we should control our attitudes, but this recession has a Jimmy Carter era “malaise” about it. I believe Obama is doing HIS best in handling the bag of snakes he inherited, but he must lead from the center and let the chips fall politically as they may - Such is true leadership.

Comment by You Go Boy Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:34 pm
Wife was unemployed for 10 months. Is again working but only makes half as much. Got rid of cell phones, down to 1 car. I attempted to dump the last newspaper subscription as well but kept it after they offered to allow me stay at half price.

train111

Comment by train111 Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:38 pm
My wife is a realtor so our income has been slashed by about 50%…we’re really starting to feel the pressure financially, so the next few months may mean the difference of holding on to our home or losing it. Right now my job seems pretty secure, but who really what will happen in the months to come? The good news is that my wife and I have already discussed and agreed that as long as we’re together noting else really matters…it’s all just stuff.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:40 pm
20% pay cut for my husband.

Comment by Missing Springfield Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:41 pm
Have not had a major impact. I am retiring this week at 60. Got out of the stock market portion of my 401k in 2005 because I thought the market results were out of whack. I looked pretty dumb in 06 and 07, but now am very thankful I did what I did. My wife and I live pretty modestly so I don’t see any major problems looming on the horizon. My wife intends to keep on working for awhile and has pretty stable employment as an RN. Dining out will be the only activity we will reduce as I plan on doing more cooking. We will continue to do the activities we enjoy such as traveling. I think the main reason we are able to do so is because we have never tried to keep up with the Joneses or lived beyond our means.

Comment by Downstater62246 Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:44 pm
Fortunately nothing has directly affected me or my husband, other than our 401Ks, 529s and mutual funds tanking! But I have readjusted my thinking on spending and splurging. I don’t really need much in life right now and have definitely postponed a bunch of “home improvment” projects and items that I wanted to buy for our home. Those things can wait!

Comment by Baltimoron Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:46 pm
==How has the recession effected you?–

Rich,

You’ve got a common spelling error in this question. Effect is the noun, as in: What effect has the recession had on you? Affect is the verb, as in: I have been badly affected by the recession.

An excellent question, by the way. I’m looking forward to reading the responses.

Comment by SpellChecker Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:47 pm
Fortunately, I still have a job and a roof over my head. But my pay is low and I haven’t seen a raise in years, which is tough when prices for everything else are increasing. My partner and I try to pay down our debt and decrease spending as much as we can.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:48 pm
Been cutting way back on spending. Have cut out almost all plastic. Watch your statements. I’ve got spotless credit, never late, never missed payments etc.

My citi card went from 8.99 “Fixed” to 24.99%. Needless to say, I’ve opted out, and the card is gone.

Haven’t eaten out at work for lunch, save 3 times in the last 7 months.

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:52 pm
We’d like to buy a small house for a growing family, but that is put on hold for at least a year as the value of our condo has fallen to below what we paid for it in 2005. Also, the prospect for selling it isn’t all that great given the large number in our development already for sale (short and otherwise).

My job, thankfully, is secure and therefore our health insurance is as well. My husband’s job is month to month as he works for a very small, technology oriented company which has seen sales slow up significantly.

Overall, we’re cutting back. Eating in (although we go out on occasion, just a lot less), cutting coupons, working on lowering overall expenses. We’ve been working on paying off debt and saving for a while now, so at least we have a bit extra to fall back on in an emergency.

Mostly we worry more and try to prepare for any eventuality. We are very grateful that we’re healthy, have each other and can afford our current living situation even if we had only one income (although it would be VERY tight).

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:54 pm
The recession for me started when Blags was elected. Five years with no raise feels like a 25% or more pay cut. Factor in higher natural gas, electricity and all.

So we have made many cut-backs. We don’t buy as much of anything we used to buy and non-mandatory spending is way down. Here are a few cuts we have made:
no golf league
no bowling league
no live or movie theaters
no hbo
less at holiday time for the us and the kids
(grandkids still do ok)
less expensive food from the grocery store
fewer snacks
fewer out-of-town visits to family and friends
no out-of-town vacations for three years
much, much less money spent in restaurants
fewer and cheaper purchases at the mall

Comment by Pennie Pincher Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:55 pm
The recession hasn’t affected me as of yet. But there is one lurking question that that I have always had. Would we know we were in such bad shape unless the government told us that things were bad and the media drilled it into our heads that things were so awful? Are these banks and corporations really in as bad a shape as everyone claims and would they be in such bad shape unless they didn’t smell money from the governement?

Comment by Ernest T. Bass Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:58 pm
===Would we know we were in such bad shape unless the government told us that things were bad and the media drilled it into our heads that things were so awful?===

LOL. You want the media to ignore bank failures, real estate busts, skyrocketing unemployment, state revenue crashes, stock market nosedives, painful international credit crunches, etc.?

Wake up.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:59 pm
Actually, sometimes effect can be a verb, e.g., the economic downturn effected a change in policies, meaning brought about.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:08 pm
we’re paying more for lots of food products and getting less. our pension investments and add ons have gone way down. we have to help with extended family, as one spouse died and now the other has lost the job due to a business without much business. elderly family members cannot count on selling the home and getting enough to pay for assisted living so they are staying in the house longer and we pay for caregivers to come in a few days a week. everyone has to pitch in with money and time, so there’s less free time.

Comment by Amy Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:16 pm
I may have to put off retiring till age 70 and hope my 401(k) makes up some lost ground but other than that I think the biggest impact has been a reluctance to go out and spend money the way I would prior to this economic mess. Logic tells me that the only way we can get out of this mess is if people start to spend again but another part of me is waiting for others to do it first so that I won’t be the only one in a sinking boat.

Comment by Fed-up Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:19 pm
Can someone answer this question, which is relevant, I think. Is there a reliable and credible on-line source which will advise if your bank is in good shape? FDIC site links to “Failed Banks” (13 since Jan. 09), but no rating or safety measure shown for individual banks. I don’t want to find out the day I go that the doors have been shut for good. I do understand the potential “panic factor” and unintended consequences of such a rating, but isn’t “transparency” the current rage? Today.

Comment by You Go Boy Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:24 pm
My 401K has dived, like everyone elses. I’m still putting in the 15% though, even though it’s painful to know it’s just going to keep dropping. My employer has had a couple rounds of layoffs so far, including people I had worked with a LONG time. Heck this company seems like it’s been in continuous layoff mode since 2002!

My house is still worth more than I paid for it in 1997. I’ve never taken out a home equity loan and I don’t have credit cards, other than one for vet bills which I quickly pay off after using it. In 2002 when my company started with the layoffs, I sold out 10K of stock and put that in a CD. It’s still there, it gets renewed every 6 months (it’s at 11K and change now) and I consider it my layoff money.

My partner and I are still employed, we still have healthcare, but I worry a lot and have started trying to amass more reserves by eating at home more, not buying as much stuff, etc.

Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:25 pm
you go boy… i don’t know of such a source, and it would be a pain if your bank shut, but there are money guarantees and when a bank goes under they are taken over and it goes on. i would suggest being proactive and finding some other place you like as well. an S and L or a credit union which have smaller customer bases and are usually more individual focused. a friend just got a good deal from an S and L which came to her home to close a loan and I have many pals in credit unions. I have money in all three kinds of institutions. i guess i feel like the money advice…spread your risk…and i like having multiple relationships with lending institutions.

Comment by Amy Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:31 pm
You Go Boy: You might check with the Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation (http://www.idfpr.com). They may be able to point you in the right direction.

Comment by What planet is he from again? Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:31 pm
No COLA in many years. No productivity bonuses this year. Employer stopped funding pension plan.

There is a small bank in my wifes family and the dividends have been stopped. More importantly the talk about nationalizing the banking system has me thinking about how intrusive the govenrment can be in private businesses and whether they can simply, effectively seize this property.

Comment by Our Time Has Passed Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:32 pm
I can’t afford the subscription price of Capitol Fax. Rich, do you have a hardship rate or subscription relief plan?

Comment by Punley Dieter Finn Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:33 pm
My business is beginning to feel the slowdown quite a bit. I optimistically hoped this area could make it through, but construction has slowed down, and new projects seem to all be on hold. I haven’t had to lay anyone off yet, but I think it’s only a matter of time. I expect 2009 and the first half of 2010 to be tough.

Comment by Macoupin County Kid Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:34 pm
Our retirement savings are probably down 40 - 50% from 18 months ago. Certainly we have cut back on discretionary spending such as shopping and going out to eat but thank goodness our jobs are still intact. I am hopeful that we will be able to hang on and have enough years to recover our losses.

I have seen many good people let go from their jobs. It certainly could have been (or could be) us.

Comment by stones Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:35 pm
Can’t say that it has. I can still get students loans and stuff like that. If it gets worse I’ll see as time moves forward.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:47 pm
It was worse last summer. The collapse of fuel prices helped, I drive 110 miles round trip a work day. I felt like I was nearing a breaking point when gas was closing in on $4.50 ppg.

It does mean though, it will be harder finding something close to home.

Comment by White Rabbit Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:49 pm
It isn’t. I’m actually benefiting from some really good sales. Sounds unsympathetic doesn’t it? It’s true tho. I prefer to pay as I go and not use credit cards. My mortgage is well within my means. Retirement? I decided a long time ago to have a ’second career’. Social Security with a dwindling population never sounded secure to me.

Comment by Belle Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:52 pm
We are pretty close to the bone. Thank God we don’t have to sell the homestead yet. We have two strip centers which we thought would add to my pension and social security. Both are losing money. Our tenants have it worse. We try to protect them. cut rents to keep them in business — all small boys, no huge anchors. Doesn’t always work. They can’t fight WalMart. Property taxes are squeezing the life out of us. The public sector doesn’t give a damn, they look at real property as a cash cow to get incumbents reelected. We never go out, forgot how to spell ‘vacation’. We cook cheap meals from scratch. Entertainment? Thank God for the Public Libraries. Not asking for help or sympathy I am old enough to remember the bad old days of the late 37-41. That was worse, but people stuck together. took care of each other, not much like now.

Comment by Truthful James Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:58 pm
It is hurting me. I am a recent graduate and it is _tough_ getting on the career ladder. With so many laid off experienced workers willing to take any job in my field, I am starting to think trying to get that first job in my field will be impossible.

I think this recession is most painful for those who are: recently retiring or retired because their 401k’s have been devastated, those who are just entering the workforce for reasons mentioned above.

Comment by The Teddster Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 2:04 pm
I take my lunch more often, and eat our and go to movies less. I don’t pay for hair color at the salon anymore ($100 every six weeks). I didn’t buy new suits or coat this winter. We’re making things last longer, buying less for the kids and thankfully are both still employed although who knows how long that will last for. We’re planning on how we can do with half an income if hubby loses his job. Good news: We can make it. Bad news: It won’t be fun.

Comment by SouthernGirl Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 2:14 pm
It has had a major impact. My full time job evaporated last July, and being 60, I am nearly unmarketable. (My extensive experience, reputation, and proven ability are just not selling themselves.) My part time work has diminished as clients reduce their cost. My wife has not had any real estate business in almost 12 months. Our total savings/retirement/college fund will be gone by mid-year.

Comment by Blogger2 Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 2:22 pm
Definitely. My wife’s sales (an information technology company) are down, and on top of that, her company slashed commissions [double hit — fewer sales and less money on the stuff sold].

So far, my business has not been hit, but the nature of it is such that it lags — the downturn will hit my line of work about a year or two after it hits others, and will stay down about a year or two after things get better.

We are trying to cut spending where we can, but at the same time, due to some health issues we really don’t want to pass certin things up [it is tough to pass on a vacation when it is possible that next year some of us going might not be around]. So we do the best we can and hope for the best.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 2:36 pm
It certainly has had an affect and effects: We now coordinate errands, drive even slower, eat out far less, no purchases unless needed and on sale, do all of our own home repairs (Time Life Books), cut back on Cable channels, cut back on cell phone and reduced to one, prepare simple but nutritional meals, cut way back on utilities, and donate more to Salvation Army. Also use 100% generic drugs when needed. Upside to this is we are more self sufficient, spend wiser, want and need less, and spend more time with friends and family at home. We installed solar for hot water heat and water our yards from a large cistern. We have watched friends crash and burn because of their free wheeling spending habits but have also seen friends who are responsible people and good parents lose their jobs; Have seen neighbors lose their homes. The tough times are ahead and I can only hope each family is preparing. I feel that we won’t see the bottom for at least another year. We desperately need to start thinking for ourselves and stop relying on politicians and lobbyists to chart our direction. We need bold new thinking and a new direction toward conservation and new energy technologies, better and more available quality health care and a better education system that focusing on academic achievement and not just new buildings and larger salaries. Each of us can make a difference and we had better realize that. Demand and accept no more than excellence from our elected leaders or fire them. The next two years will test this generation. We grab our heels….. or grab our boots and jack this nation up!

Comment by Justice Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 2:47 pm
The necessary spending spree has ended and VanillaFamily is coccooning after bursting into existence over the past few years. Everything is going into paying off debt assumed during that time. We wanted a big family, and that is what we have been blessed with. Fortunately, multiple births help reach that goal quicker.

We are employed and secure in well paying jobs.

Yet we expect to hear loved ones contacting us for assistance as they have been less fortunate. If the recession continues, which I expect now that we have literally wasted a Trillion dollars this week, our loved ones may be unable to hold out much longer.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 3:01 pm
Perpetually scared about losing my job or the wife losing hers. My job should be stable…but you never know what’s going to happen next. The wife’s situation is not as stable. We’re trying to save as much up as quickly as we can in order to try to have enough to get by for a good 6 months without a job. Not easy though.

We’re looking for ways to curtail spending - I quit smoking a year ago, we’re both doing better when it comes to taking our lunch, we try not to eat out too often. But, rather than saving when the economy was starting to sour last year, we were in spend mode. Getting married and all that.

Still looking to cut back further, but not sure what else can be cut.

Also trying to pay well over minimum payments on debt, in order to avoid any unexpected surprises on a credit card bill (yes, they can ding you as a higher risk and jack your rates if you just pay the minimum or just over the minimum).

Comment by jerry 101 Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 3:15 pm
Other than the nose dive of our mutual funds, no real pain here. We’ve always lived well within our means.

Comment by Stuck with Sen. CPA Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 3:17 pm
We’ve always lived beneath our means, so didn’t really have to cut back. We watch movies at home, rather than going to a theater. Get together with extended family, in a pot-luck setting, rather than eating out. We don’t have a gym membership. Rather, for the price of a pair of good running shoes, we get our exercise via jogging. A 30 minute run, gives us a great time to talk, as well.

We’ve lived without a land line phone for nearly a year now. (savings of $45/month). We don’t miss it AT ALL. Installed electronic controlled thermostats (automatically warms the house up the morning and the evening) and keeps it at a cool 55 degrees through the day.

Have only purchased one new car in 20 years of marriage. Otherwise buy used.

We’ve always looked at expenses to see if they were necessary or if they could be elminated.

Comment by Downstater Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 3:28 pm
I had to buy a car. Wumpus has never been flashy, so not many cutbacks to make. THe main thing is eating in more, less restaurants. When going to restuarants, use a coupon for anythign over fast food.

Job seems safe-ish, wife actualy got a raise.

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 3:37 pm
I am holding on to every dollar that I have even loose change.

Covering my two mortgages every month has become much more challenging and I have had to simply manage my finances better.

Gone our life’s luxuries - car washes, eyebrow waxes, cheese popcorn, foreign films, etc.

I also find myself calling up telephone, utility, and other service providers and demanding that they offer me fair and reasonable budget plans - Com Ed, People’s Energy, AT & T, Comcast, etc.

I have always been an extremely hard worker and, all in all, I am grateful to be employed.

Comment by Black Ivy Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 3:47 pm
I can still afford a smile, though

Comment by Black Ivy Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 3:48 pm
As a student about to graduate with a BA in May, I am planning to further my education by pursuing a MPA or pursuing an internship/fellowship. With the state of the budget accompanied by the state of the economy, it is unlikely I will be able to find a position as staff or somewhere else in state government. Eventually, I plan to find myself working in government in some fashion, but with a deficit and recession, it will not happen anytime soon.

Comment by TT Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 4:10 pm
Knock wood, we have not been dinged by the economy as much as many others. F/lance and consulting projects are still out there, although fewer in number than in previous years. We always have been prudent, living within our means and participating in employer-sponsored 401K programs, every defined benefit pension program offered at every job and any and all other employee benefits. But, for the first time in almost 20 years, I have more people sending me resumes in search of work than I have job leads or referrals to share. Advertising/marketing jobs? Nonexistent as far as I can see … PR/corporate/government affairs? Few and far between. Expense-account restaurants are pretty quiet at lunch: 437, Smith & Wollensky, Fulton’s, Catch 35 are all a sea of blinding white tablecloths without diners in chairs. Not a good time to be a 40 to 60 yo management type — a truly endangered species.

Comment by jaundiced eye Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 4:28 pm
We’ve been lucky. Our income hasn’t changed and although our retirement accounts took a hit, we are mainly managing them for our heirs. We expect them to recover eventually.

However, I have been affected by the general concern about the economy. For the first time in my long life, I have started to bargain regularly
in stores and for services such as home repair and remodeling and we put off the purchase of a new car planned for this year. If it’s not on sale (clothes, household good and appliances, and so on) I don’t buy it. This probably isn’t great for the economy as a whole if everybody is doing the same thing. But I suspect frugality is a trend that will persist long after the economic recovery for many US citizens living through this economic period, just as our parents and grandparents were similarly affected throughout their lives by the Depression.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 4:38 pm
I have to steal Capitol Fax.

Sorry, Rich, couldn’t pass that up, and BTW, it’s not true.

AA is blessed to have a relatively stable job with decent benefits and a good defined benefit pension within reach. My personal investments (for the kids’ college-thank God for College Illinois) are in the tank like everyone else’s are. Find myself going around the house turning out lights and other little things for which I used to call my Dad a cheapskate. Pay cash for everything.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 6:11 pm
Completing a graduate degree, I can’t use grad school as an out, so basically a job search in a truly awful economy. Lots of little cuts here and there because I’ve had to create a contingency for a significant gap between school and work. More walking to local corner shops, less driving to Trader Joe’s. Cheapness has steadily become a habit in grad school; I honestly doubt that I’ll change much once things “improve.” Also a little hard to go back to fast food after you’ve made your own.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 6:48 pm
Since hubby finished school, and had two surgeries, we are concentrating on paying off debts accumulated during that time; but it’s going pretty slow and just when you think you’re about to get ahead some big expense like a car repair comes along to set you back. We’re probably going to be in debt for quite some time, I just hope we can get these things paid off eventually.

For two years I had a job that required a drive of 100-120 miles a day. I am glad I was able to get another before the big gas price spike hit. Recently I did without a car for about 3 months and relied on public transportation, until we got the cash to buy another used vehicle. We do not own a home (sold it after I lost a job four years ago) and I’m guessing we probably won’t again for a long time, if ever. We dumped cable TV and landline phone service for medium-speed internet, Skype and a prepaid cell phone.

Since I work for the state, all this talk of huge deficits and people insisting that “lazy” and overpaid state workers be “the first to suffer” makes me kinda nervous. I lost a job once before, in the private sector, and I don’t want to go through that again, but if I have to, so be it. Our office is pretty lean and mean and we are not paid a heck of a lot; my boss thinks we will come out OK, but you never know.

It seems to me that one thing this economic crisis may teach everyone is that the ONLY real security anyone has is in God, themselves, their family, their friends and their neighbors — not in their jobs or investments, no matter how solid they may appear to be.

Comment by Bookworm Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 7:15 pm
Frankly, from my standpoint as a farmer, the recession hasn’t hurt nearly as much as an excessively wet summer last year did–crops were extensively damaged, though thankfully not flooded in my area. Nevertheless, traditionally picking one 40 acre tract of soybeans was pointless–going back and forth over it all would have wasted fuel, so it was like vacuuming before company comes: “Got a little bit over here–go get some over there, looks like we pretty much got it all….”

Farmers are, perhaps, more sanguine about this as they are used to “good” and “bad” times–though it’s also different because not all farmers hit the “bad” times in the same year. Not sure that this recession is going to miss very many people, though.

Comment by Pike County Farmer Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 7:38 pm
Have nixed ALL discretionary spending. In complete “tight-wad” mode with utilities, trips, groceries, etc. but still can’t get far enough ahead to help with graduate school which now has to be funded by loans. Holding my breath that the next couple of years will result in a graduate degree, but terrified that something will go wrong and result will be no graduate degree, just a bunch of student loans that need to paid without gainful employment.

Office politics are at an all-time high and stressful. Unfortunately, have seen it before: everyone’s terrified of lay-offs so they’re constantly clawing at each other, forming cliques and ganging up on those who are trying to stay focused and “clean” and still trying to contribute. Productivity across the board is at an all-time low. Celebrations are no longer grounded in accomplishments; just surviving each day is something to celebrate.

The saddest part is that many who somehow survived (barely) the 80s recession and “go global” layoffs a few years back due to off-shoring are–for the first time–joking about the fact that they’re worth more to their families dead due to still intact life insurance policies than they are alive.

The most frightening part is that I think many of those who are saying it, aren’t really joking. Sadly, makes me think of Japan when they hit rock bottom a while back.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 9:34 pm
My job (restaurant) relies on consumer spending, but thankfully people have to eat. Trying to save money, cooking more meals at home and eating leftovers, buying few to no clothes, and not going to restaurants unless I have a coupon or some sort of discount. Thankfully, am able to start buying stocks because the market is so depressed and scottrade only charges $7/order. Hoping these stocks will pay for college for my child or grad school for me in the future.

Comment by Lynn S Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 11:01 pm
I’m more careful with my spending. 401K took hit. My work is tougher.

Anon: =Actually, sometimes effect can be a verb, e.g., the economic downturn effected a change in policies, meaning brought about.=

What’s wrong with your comment? Inanimate conceptual entities do not “effect” anything, they exist only in our minds. “The shortstop effected an awesome triple-play in the third inning” would be a better example.

Comment by ahem Thursday, Feb 19, 09 @ 6:24 am
Work hasn’t assigned anything since October. It’s made paying Ameren’s raised rates sorta hard.

Comment by T.J. Thursday, Feb 19, 09 @ 9:15 am