Making Ends Meet
Posted on May 6, 2008
Filed Under General |
It’s getting harder and harder to make ends meet these days, isn’t it? I recently purchased a used, “good gas mileage” vehicle to help offset some of the high gas prices we’ve been paying. It seems to be a good investment so far because I was spending $70 to $80 per week, and I’ve about cut that in half. But I feel that carpooling is not out of the question as me and my wife are both driving a vehicle in to work each day.
This past weekend, I found that I needed to purchase new blades for my lawnmower and the belt for the cutting deck was slipping, so I figured a new one was in order. The mower is going into it’s 3rd summer of usage, so it was time for some maintenance. So I drop into a local Lowes and walk out having spent almost $90 for new blades and a new belt!?!?! Then I had to go spend $18 to fill up my 5 gallon gas can to put gas into the mower.
And I don’t know which is worse…a gallon of gas or a gallon of milk! Actually, I think the milk is more expensive at the moment.
Sometimes when I look at all this, I just want to sell out, head for the mountains, raise animals and fresh vegetables and just take care of my family! As an alternative to that idea, (an idea my family certainly wouldn’t approve of), I’ve started paying very close attention to everything I spend money on. If I can put a purchase off or figure out a way to do something myself instead of paying for it, thats what I’m doing. Lets face it, our salaries aren’t going up to match the rate at which prices are rising, so you’ve got to do something.
It’s been a good exercise for me anyway. I’m the “not so frugal” one in our family, and I needed to cut back anyway.
So what are your thoughts? Are you experiencing the same pains as I am? How have high prices affected you and your spending habits? I’d love to hear from you!
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37 Responses to “Making Ends Meet”
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I agree…we’re also having a hard time making ends meet. The price of gas and food is killing us, mostly because we set our budget last year…to see if we could afford to take a vacation. Based on last years prices we could afford it, and now we’re having to tap into those savings just for everyday living.
It’s tough my friend! Look for ways to save a few bucks here and there and hopefully that will help. Best of luck!
Chris
I’m lucky enough to live in a large city where there is accessible and cheap public transportation, so I don’t have to buy gas. A 30-day pass with unlimited rides on the bus and L (what we call the train here in Chicago) is only $75. While it might take a little bit longer to use the L or bus than to drive yourself there, it certainly does save a lot of money.
Besides the obvious gas crisis, rising food costs certainly are a big concern. I usually get whatever milk is on sale (usually at least one organic brand discounted each week here). Not eating out as much is a big help, but it’s easier said than done :/
Hey Dean! Yes…wish we had some form of public transportation where we live
My wife is from Chicago and the last time we were there for a visit, we had planned to ride the L just for the “experience”. Unfortunately we didn’t get the chance. But we did go up in the John Hancock building and do the “tourist thing”. I’m not a big fan of heights…so it was cool but scary!
I’m certainly trying not to eat out if I don’t have to. I’ve actually been buying a loaf of bread and a package of sandwich meat and fixing a sandwich at work every day. It’s a boring meal, but it satisfies my hunger at an inexpensive price and surely better for me than eating out every day.
My wife has actually been buying milk at a local dairy, (fresh out of the cow so to speak!). The milk is better for you and cheaper. I’m not a big milk drinker myself…but the kids love it.
Sounds like you’re making the best out of the situation and I commend you for that!
Chris
Man it’s tough. Fortunately, we’ve cut way back on the gas situation as I’ve started working more and more primarily out of the house, but still, for some reason the budget is still tight, Grocery bills a little higher as I don’t eat out for lunch almost everyday now but still find it hard. Oh and where I’m at, milk is cheaper than gas so now if they can only make a car that’ll run on “moo” juice
Big thing for me is gas. Its absolutely ridiculous.
Haha.. Well you can try to do small things that could safe your gas price since it’s so high. Try to find how to reduce your fuel consumtion is a good way to start.
Maybe you can try to collect tins and newspapers then to sell it out.. I did it and this will at least make me feel that, I got something back..
Gas is definitely the big thing here! find a way to save your dollar on it and your problem will be solved.
I just got myself a moped. It’s $5 to fill up and it last forever. I’m loving it.
My gas bill is $600 a month on 2 cars..things are getting out of control. i like the idea of 4 day work week.
Yeah things certainly getting out of hand recently. Here,the prices go up, including food. So it really concerns me of how the future would turn out. Pay doesnt seem to be raised aswell.
Gas is hurting everyone! Everything is going up because of one little resource. Its so crazy how that works.
for me i don’t know, but i’m not sure it’s ok with my daughter yeah! Totally!:)
I find that I am watching my gas guage obsessively, thinking about how much I put in last time, how much it cost, how fast I’m going thru it, and how soon I’ll have to fill it up again. We are also not eating out as much, which I miss.
Gas is killing us all from every sector. We badly need some alternative source of energy.
Perhaps it is the time to ask for higher salaries or just to switch jobs. I have changed my profession from a management job to full time blogging. Thanks God! There is no need of GAS to run a computer so it doesn’t make any sense to me(Gas Prices).
It’s good that you’re watching what you’re spending. That was an expensive fix for the lawn mower. I just put $600 more into my car, which has another problem. Always something to fix, right?
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I agree that it surely is getting harder to make ends meet. The slowing economy along with rising gasoline prices and inflation in general is hurting us all. Food prices have soared recently. Many Americans are being forced into credit card debt to stay a float these days.
It is definitely getting harder to make ends meat with the price of gas and the way the economy is right now. Many people are turning to the internet to purchase medications at greatly reduced prices. Many times you are able to save as much as 80% on the cost of your prescriptions by ordering your drugs from reliable online pharmacies that sell high quality medications just like the ones you get at your local pharmacies. Give it a try, you will be greatly surprised at the saving. Every little bit helps and you will be amazed at the saving that are possible.
Completely valid point. I have just bought a flat in the midlands in the UK at probably the best time as prices have dropped. I don’t get a bad wage and work for Pitstop Marquees in Birmingham, so i can afford everything i need - hopefully!
I have an idea on how much everything costs, but i haven’t had a bill through yet so i am dreading when they do, i will be prepared though. Obviously gas has gone up and will probably double yet again. I have been used to living in a cold house (it was very old and not very well insulated) when mum couldn’t afford to put the fires on in spring. There are plently of things you can do to save money in this day in age:
Don’t run the tap when brushing your teeth.
Only boil enough water in the kettlw for what you need
Use the old brick in the toilet one
Put layers on
Get a thicker duvet so you don’t need your heating on at night
Turn off all lights when not being used
Look at getting insulation - plenty of ways of keeping in the heat
Don’t waste food - make soup out of it - even the weirdest concoctions taste great.
If you are using the oven to cook say jacket potatoes, don’t just cook 1 or 2, cook 6 or something, so you don’t have to put the oven on for 2 hours again next time you want a spud, just microwave it.
I could think of things all day, I suppose i will come up with more methods once i have spent longer in my new place!
Good product.
let me try once.. i will check for soem more methods.
mohan
Man the high prices are making our lives a hell.I don’t know when all this going to smooth out.
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Carpools are the way forward, i have a GTI not economical however, im in a carpool with four other people i only have to drive to work for one week each month. My petrol consumptions is down, the ware on my car is down and because i don’t drive for three weeks at a time when it is my turn to drive i really enjoy it! You can’t loose. Unless one of your accompanying travelers has a gas problem!
we’re also having a hard time making ends meet. The price of gas and food is killing us, mostly because we set our budget last year…Very useful piece of information indeed! A thorough research is very significant before stepping for any keyword.
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