I have never done a "Fun Monday" before, but I read them regularly over at Sayre's blog. So when she announced that she was hosting this week, I said "Sign me up!". This week's topic is:What are you and your family doing to deal with the current economic situation on a personal level? Obama's got a plan for the nation, but how do you/will you deal with your own economic stress?
First, let me say that I am very lucky to have a job that is not really affected by the current economic crisis. Yes, some new teachers and superfluous "support" positions are being cut. And yes, the school budget for next year will be tight. But not only have I been with this school corporation for 5 years ( which means a lot of newer teachers to potentially get cut before me), but I'm also in special education. So I'm safe. And because I'm on a salary, my paycheck is pretty much always the same. I've heard that we might not get a raise next year but given the current state of the economy, I can live with that.
Having said all that, let me also say that I NEVER have enough money. Since my divorce 7 years ago I have pretty much always been in a deficit situation. The last 5 years have brought some nice raises which have made it a little easier to breath. But with all the problems people have been having, I have basically just been trying to solidify my financial position.
Steven has been helping me work on a budget, so I've been doing better at keeping my bills organized and paying them on time. I pay most of my bills in cash. I have actually been writing out a menu and planning meals, both to better use the sale ads and coupons and to keep us eating at home more. I am way more cautious with my gas, and told Rachael "no" to 2 play auditions because had she gotten a part the running back and forth would have been a strain on the budget. I am currently preparing a resume to apply to tutoring sites like Sylvan and Huntington. And I plan to get a summer teaching job.
Oh, I forgot, my dryer broke before Christmas and rather than replace it right now, until I get some bills paid off, I'm hauling wet clothes to the laundrymat every weekend.
11 comments:
As much laundry as you do I cannot imagine your having to run to the laundromat to dry your clothes.
We take our wonderful appliances for granted.
Best wishes in saving for a dryer.
Thank goodness gasoline prices are not ridiculous right now.
Brave woman going to the laundromat. We have such crazy people at our local laundrymat I'd rather eat dirt than go there. It's seriously weird at ours.
Awe.
I'm flattered to be mentioned here.
Yes, I can hold my own in money matters.
Remember, it's all about spending behavior. Change the behavior that got you to this place and the house of cards will fall! In Place!
Hah, gotch ya.
I'm so happy to be able to be a positive influence in this stage of your life.
Keep this kind of action up and I may be muttering the ultimate
WOWSA to you and your blog family.
Once this topic is under control, some Bling may be in order?
I would like thank Sushi Boy + Wonder Woman for their unfailing support of what you are trying to accomplish.
Great friends make for greater accomplishments.
Even those friends who lovingly refer to you as HooterGirl.
We all are aware of your disdain for Hooters, but we can appreciate that your funny self can laugh at stereotypical humor.
Besides, we all know those typical Hooter Girls don't hold a candle to you. I know. I had lunch with HooterGirls. (I was surrounded) I left with the bestest H.G.
Ps. The dryer will come. In due time!
You love meeting friends you've never met, and the laundromat is the perfect place to make that happen.
I'm thinking play group parents here!
Pss. Rock on Sweetie. I lUvE U.
I always do a fun Monday. And it's workout day.
To handle the recession, I dine at least once a week (except last week) at Harrigan's. I'm stimulating business .. leaving the waiter a generous tip .. and enjoying family, great food & beer, too.
You have it together, HG! Persistance and determination can go a long way towards making your dollars work for YOU!
DO you have a clothesline? I've got one of those umbrella-type and I use it to get my clothes mostly dry. Then I toss them in the dryer for about 10 minutes to finish up and soften them a bit (they can get kind of stiff hanging out). Works well for heavy things like jeans and towels!
Very green, very economical too (and they're not so heavy when you lug them to the laundromat until you get your own dryer again). I wish we lived closer. I have a dryer you could have.
The laundry-mat? Ugh hope you bring a good book.
The psychological and spiritual impact of the economic downturn will be the topic of News Talk Online on Paltalk.com Thursday March 12 at 5 PM New York time. My guests will be NY Mt. Sinai psychiatrist Dr. Elliot Wineburg and Marble Collegiate Church NY senior minister Michael Brown.
Please go to my blog http://www.garybaumgarten.com to talk to them.
Thanks,
Gary
Hi! I've been reading your blog for a long time and never commented before... I really enjoy your writing.
That said, I think your plan is a good one and I wish you the best of luck. I can relate to your never-enough-money situation: I'm 20 years old, in school full-time, renting, and I've been unemployed for four months. I have dozens of applications out. Albany-Schenectady-Troy's unemployment rate went from 5.9% in December to 7.1% in January. Scary.
Have you looked on Craigslist for a free/cheap dryer? I'm always surprised by what I see in the free listings on there. If I had one lying around I would find some way to get it to you; in these economic times we need to help each other out! I drive an hour away to my father's house to do my laundry (the gas spent is cheaper than what laundromats cost and it gives me an excuse to get out of Schenectady and visit my family).
Brother Dave - Keep in mind I have one less kid here right now AND my kids wear uniforms to school 5 days a week. So that does cut down on weekday laundry a bit. And since we've been in this "dryer crisis", I have been insisting that people use their shower towels twice. I end up doing about 4 full loads every Sunday. Sadly, I'm not even saving for a dryer right now - I'm still trying to pay down some bills. (sigh)
Hulagirl - Thanks for stopping by. I live in a pretty small town, and the laundrymat I go to is used primarily by an apartment complex. Steven has been there with me many times. It's quiet and clean.
Trukindude - You know you are my financial mentor. I appreciate all your help - when you're not picking on me! (wink)
Once this topic is under control, some Bling may be in order? - Hey! No teasing about bling! Either ante up or pipe down! (grin)
I love you, too.
E.Craig - There is nothing wrong with family time, recession or not. And we eat out once on the weekend, too, either on Friday night or Sunday lunch after church.
Sayre - My mom has offered to buy me a clothesline. I think it's all she can do to keep my dad from just buying me a new dryer out right. But I already owe them so much money, I would really rather they not.
As for your dryer I can have, I am going to order Steven and his flatbed to drive your way. ASAP!
Sushi - Since I put each load in its own dryer, it only takes about a half hour to dry it all. Costs about $5 for 4 loads. Last time, I went about a mile to Kroger, picked up some groceries, and got back in time to get my dry clothes!
Gary - Spammers begone!
Patrick - Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you like my blog. I will check out the craigslist option. Great idea!
J.
Oops. Sorry Sushi.
It's Super Woman, Super Woman, Super Woman, Super Woman, Super Woman. Super Woman, Super Woman.
Geez, I hope I get it right next time!
T-dude
Awe. I'm flattered to be mentioned here.
Hey, how could I write a post about finances in my life without mentioning YOU?
Yes, I can hold my own in money matters.
Remember, it's all about spending behavior. Change the behavior that got you to this place and the house of cards will fall! In Place!
Hah, gotch ya.
Yes, I am trying very hard to change my behavior. Unfortunately old habits die hard. But I'm trying!
I'm so happy to be able to be a positive influence in this stage of your life. Keep this kind of action up and I may be muttering the ultimate
WOWSA to you and your blog family.Once this topic is under control, some Bling may be in order?
You are a positive influence. Thank you. (smile)
I would like thank Sushi Boy + Wonder Woman for their unfailing support of what you are trying to accomplish. Great friends make for greater accomplishments.
Can we please go back to Utah this summer? Please?
Even those friends who lovingly refer to you as HooterGirl.We all are aware of your disdain for Hooters, but we can appreciate that your funny self can laugh at stereotypical humor.
Besides, we all know those typical Hooter Girls don't hold a candle to you. I know. I had lunch with HooterGirls. (I was surrounded) I left with the bestest H.G.
Hey, I know E.Craig calls me "Hooter Girl" with love and affection! Yes, it was intimidating to eat with the HooterGirls, but you are sweet to say I was the best!
Ps. The dryer will come. In due time!
You love meeting friends you've never met, and the laundromat is the perfect place to make that happen.I'm thinking play group parents here!
The dryer will come? When? Are you sending it UPS? And yes, I really enjoyed running into Kathy at the laundromat, but I promise if I get a new dryer here at the house, we will stay in touch anyway! Ha, ha!
Pss. Rock on Sweetie. I lUvE U.
I love you, too!
Me
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