I've Got Gas
Wired has an article today talking about how high prices for gas, etc. are changing what people do. Jack Nerad (executive market analyst for KBB) states "It's no secret a weak economy has consumers spending less these days, and the survey of people in the market for a new car shows us some of the things people are doing to cope with stratospheric gas prices. They aren't buying as many DVDs. They're skipping ballgames. And going out to dinner? Who can afford it? "What was once a frequent occurrence such as the morning trip to Starbucks or taking the family to a ballgame just isn't as financially feasible when $4-per-gallon gas must also share a a place in the budget."
What about you, what (if anything) are you doing to cut corners? For our house we have replaced almost all of the regular light bulbs with CFLs (which cost just pennies per hour to use), I try to ride my motorcycle more (big sacrifice I know), and we have a standing family policy that we try to make somthing, or buy it used (Craigslist, Ebay, etc.) before buying new.
The exception to this was the vehicle that we just purchased. When I hit the deer a few weeks ago it totaled out the Buick (no more 60 year old vehicle for me). So we looked around and decided on a Dodge Grand Caravan. We were able to negotiate the price to an 07 level for a new 08 (car companies are hurting and open to negotiate right now). The kicker for us though was that the Dodge comes with a lifetime warranty on the engine and transmission. Yes that is right, for as long as we own the van they will fix (with no fees or costs to me) anything that goes wrong with the power and drivetrain. With a family of 5 we will put a lot of miles and years on this vehicle and the warranty was an awesome advantage.
So how about you...any changes due to the economy?
6 comments:
ok...
the eerie thing for me is that we both went from a Buick (almost identical) to a minivan.
we got a Chrysler, and you got a dodge - but what's the difference these days?
coincidence?
i think not!
Julie and i are trying to enact a spending plan for every penny. which means we have to sit down and plan out where each dollar will go BEFORE we spend it, agree on the purchase, agree on the amount, and sign a paper that will get attached to the receipt, and filed away.
We have also gone with out cable now that we are living in SV we have no channels even with rabbit ears so we have no channels just fuz so we are now forced to play games with the kids, read books, or watch a movie, i think i've seen cars 1000 times now but saves us 30 a month (we will see how long we can hold out we miss watching nascar on sunday afternoons)
Good ideas. We have got rid of our tv service also, but we get a couple of channels on the rabbit ears.
My problem is that I find myself working more because of the lack of tv. Not a good habit or practice.
hm. i was thinking that too. i just spend more time on my computer, or planning, phone calls, busy work.
we never have been able to slow down.
but there is a difference between being entertained and being productive.
Misty and I shut off our home phone and long distance plan. That saved us about $50/month. I have been walking to work. We only have one vehicle. We have been snowballing our debt for the last 6 months, which has been nice, because now if we have to, we have a little extra each month. We haven't gotten rid of TV yet, but it's the next thing to go if it gets any worse. These are a few of the things we've done. Misty has also been selling Mary Kay and working at the church. So that has helped a little.
Stan,
It sounds like you guys have got a good plan working. That is the main thing lacking with many people I think. They don't really know where their money goes nor have a plan for using it wisely.
Jesse,
Counting the pennies sounds like a time intensive but very profitable (no pun intended) endeavor.
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