BellaOnline Forums Food and Wine Tea Has the economy changed you?

What changes, adjustments or habits have you changed since the economy had been tougher?

Are you like some who haven't felt it? Have you rethought everything you do? Spending & tightening your belt seem the only answer?

Mary Caliendo
Tea

I have had to cut back on my "treats" due to the recession. Every little bit helps with saving for a "rainy day".....

thanks Angela! I am a coupon cutter now! I am also recreating dinners out of leftovers~ (my elder children do not like leftovers)so they have no idea!

I am reusing containers/bags to go shopping with.
I am utilizing my library for books,music,movies, and classes all free from my tax dollar!

What are you doing in this economy?
Mary Caliendo

I am happy to find coupon for my favorite tea in the weekend coupons section.

I will alert the forum when I find valuable economy related ideas and money-savers in hopes that we'll all feel a bit of releif during these hard times! And please be welcomed to post something you find as well.

* a disclaimer- I will reserve the right to remove any materials or ideas that we here at bellaonline.com find offensive or invalid or untrue and further not support the general feeling of our web-site.*


With that being said Thanks in advance but I felt it was a necessary thing to post for those just in case things like that could happen!
Have a great day.
Mary Caliendo

I'm not a big spender to begin with but I have cut back a bit. I'm not buying myself any new books or workout dvd's right now. I've been renting or exchanging a lot at the used bookstore.

I'm not buying my son as many video games and toys as I used to (much to his disappointment but I am buying him tons of books).

I've also cut way back on my driving.

The economy hasn't changed me because we've always lived simply. Thankfully, my DH's company is fairly recession proof. However, when he had another business that was doing super well, we did spend more (entertainment, etc.) And we still didn't save much.

It's sad to realize that regardless of the paycheck amount, our savings account is the same.

Like Chi, my family lived simply before but now we are still trying to cut things. We still run the air conditioner a lot which I wish we could cut back on but I have respiratory allergies as well as my children. I am not a coupon cutter myself because I have found that usually generics and store brands tend to be even cheaper then national brands with a coupon. The one thing we could probably cut out but I feel it is too important is our family pass to the YMCA. I use the fitness center and the indoor pool for water aerobics so does my husband. Both of the children are in Tae Kwon Do 3 times a week and use the pool. My son i getting ready to do basketball there and my daughter is going to do gymnastics again. I would rather see what little extra money we do have go to fitness programs then junk food or video games. We drive a lot less and didn't take a vacation this year or last. Next year we are determined though to go somewhere for a much needed family vacation!

thank you for all of your responses our chats may even help someone who hadn't thought of something you are each doing.

I luv shabby chic stuff and luv going to garage sales~the stories that the seller can tell you about an item is very cool. Rethink and reuse furniture the outdoor wiretype or iron can be repainted whites creams and then tie on the bench seat pillows and line with throw pillows a comfy seatee for the sunroom or loft or where ever you want to read a pile of books.

Reuse containers that entrees come in or plastics in pantries or inside drawers for dividers
More to come
Mary Caliendo

our vacations this past summer were fun! Notice how I said vacations!

Everyday we did stay vacation things~ we themed a week long bunch of activities for our age ranges and had a blast! We started each day with huge homemade breakfasts with dad and we had fun.

we made cookies,did crafts, made popcicles, went to the zoo, hiked,went museums, went fishing with a canoe!!, got in the car and went on a discovery trip to a farm~

We did go to the show and spent a huge amount of $ on goodies and sometimes that can't be helped!

more to come
Mary Caliendo

Today I am repurposing a large cereal box into a magazine holder!


Mary Caliendo