Not much.
I previously saved about 4-6 months worth of money for a rainy day which I still have, but with my raise and extra work I’m peachy.
For now.
Overall there’s no change. My mortgage went up due to a miscalculation on property taxes, but gas is cheaper. Other than not eating out quite as much, I haven’t changed anything.
[quote]amphibian wrote:
Zilch…I just got a raise though.[/quote]
X2.
I just bought a new car and home office furniture to help stimulate the economy.
Sure beats Obama’s plan.
I wouldn’t have any idea we’re in an economic downturn if BO and the news weren’t always talking about it.
I am cutting back on spending though as I spent about 2 grand on Christmas, 4 grand on Hawaii, a grand on a side of beef in January and 5 grand on braces in February for Sen the Third.
So, I cut back on booze and eating at restaurants and on buying groceries…I don’t buy less food, just cheaper…I used to shop more at farmer’s markets and organic stores…now I shop like the poor people. I’m feeding a family of 5 for abour 100 bucks per week (plus the side of beef that I paid for in January…guess I need to add the amortized cost into my 100 per week).
We have soup night every Monday. I can make 2-3 gallons of soup for like 4 bucks.
A box of macaroni (99 cents), 2 lbs of ground beef (3-4 bucks), a can of kidney beans (99 cents) and a can of tomato sauce (99 cents) make up 2 of my 5 meals per day. I get enough out of this to last like 5 days or 10 meals.
I was never a big spender so I haven’t changed much. Maybe getting Neutragena shaving products instead of Anthony Logistics. That was the only splurge I used to do.
[quote]PrISM wrote:
tribunaldude wrote:
I got a second job following fat people around with a tuba.
I have a glandular problem.[/quote]
I’m just trying to live my life. Nobody taught me about carbs! crash tuba squeal
[quote]tribunaldude wrote:
I got a second job following fat people around with a tuba.[/quote]
I cut back on buying supplements that I suspect weren’t really helping anyway. No, I don’t want to list the supplements or debate this one with anyone… Go away.
Big purchases are on hold (new cars, HD TVs etc)
Hoarding cash is my new hobby
I’m making more money now than I ever have. I actually want to know what to do with all this money. I don’t really like the idea of putting it in a savings account, because it devalues faster than it gains interest. At the same time, I can’t guarantee work will always be this good, so I don’t want to spend it on fun stuff.
[quote]Thomas Gabriel wrote:
I’m making more money now than I ever have. I actually want to know what to do with all this money. I don’t really like the idea of putting it in a savings account, because it devalues faster than it gains interest. At the same time, I can’t guarantee work will always be this good, so I don’t want to spend it on fun stuff. [/quote]
I have really large cargo pants that have massive pockets (Think JNCO) that you can invest your money (invest = put) in.
Think about it; but act fast!
Started drinking instant coffee again - coffee at work sucks but I make do - the wife & I don’t eat out as much - stopped buying useless magazines… selling shit on ebay to make some extra cash.
Got a decent review at work but was told no raise this time around so enjoy the bonus. Then found out that if I didn’t squirrel most of it away in a RRSP the income tax if I cashed it would be like half 
or at least 40%…
Basically not buying useless, frivolous shit helps a lot.
[quote]Thomas Gabriel wrote:
I’m making more money now than I ever have. I actually want to know what to do with all this money. I don’t really like the idea of putting it in a savings account, because it devalues faster than it gains interest. At the same time, I can’t guarantee work will always be this good, so I don’t want to spend it on fun stuff. [/quote]
buy productive assets.
Related to this, has anyone seen any prices come down on something they wanted to buy?
I’ve been keeping my eyes open for musical instruments, but nothing looks any cheaper.
[quote]sen say wrote:
Related to this, has anyone seen any prices come down on something they wanted to buy?
I’ve been keeping my eyes open for musical instruments, but nothing looks any cheaper.[/quote]
Yeah. I just got a Canon Powershot A590 IS for $97, and a 9" laptop for $198, both new. I now officially have all the materialistic possessions I want, and am quite happy.
To answer the OPs question, I haven’t done anything. I already lived on the cheap end and have a pretty penny saved up. I got rid of cable about two years ago and use netflix/Internet/media server. I have a cheap prepaid cell phone plan. I’m ultra-careful with electricity, so there’s not much of a bill there. I keep my heat low. I keep my car maintained so the gas mileage is good…pretty much just basic stuff that makes a big difference.
Plus, I just paid off my last student loan and that leaves me with some extra cash.
Economic downturn? I don’t get it.
Seriously, I know people who own their own businesses, ranging from IT companies to clothes shop owners to plumbers, all say profits are on the up.
This whole economy bullshit being overhyped by the media is becoming a self fulfilling prophecy.
[quote]Roual wrote:
This whole economy bullshit being overhyped by the media is becoming a self fulfilling prophecy.[/quote]
Apparently you do not understand why too much debt is a bad thing. Do you think the number of people who are not able to pay their bills is being overhyped?
What happens when large amounts of people cannot afford to pay their bills?
If the economic crisis is being overhyped as you suggest then why are so many lending facilities starting to fail?
Started the anabolic diet 
I eat great and its cheap…well cheaper then buying a shit ton of supps or any of the other diets out there…too bad Im 240lbs and I need to eat like 5k calories a day, that makes it a bit more pricy.
[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
Ironically, since the economic downturn, I’ve gotten extremely busy.
In fact, we’re in a sort of cash surplus right now and are enjoying some spending… which is unusual for me, as well as putting around $10,000 in savings. [/quote]
Just wondering what do you do
Stopped spending more than I make … it’s a pretty simple fuckin concept
[quote]thaiclinch wrote:
Started the anabolic diet I eat great and its cheap…well cheaper then buying a shit ton of supps or any of the other diets out there…too bad Im 240lbs and I need to eat like 5k calories a day, that makes it a bit more pricy.[/quote]
Ok so I’m NOT the only one who noticed that he spends less money on more food since I eat by the Anabolic Diet principles.
Unlike you, I’m 163lbs (shut up I know) with daily intake of around 3700 cal and still not gaining. Sick =[