The Economy

It's going to hell and we are all going down with it.

So many people are stupid enough to not live within their means. The get a jacked-up mortgage, all the McMansions, SUV's, boats, vacations and toys they want just because they believe they "deserve" it.

Sure our government does a shitty job but I believe the American people are just as much to blame. They are hurting the families who actually live within their means, pay their bills on time, pay off their credit card every month, and try to save a little for their retirement.

Now because of wall street, crooked CEO's, stupid Amercans and the war our economy is in big time trouble. And it affects all of the middle and lower class families like ours.

I feel like my family follows all the rules...sure we wear nice clothes and go on vacation once a year but we also have zero debt, our cars are paid off (mine is coming on 8 yrs and still running great), we put money down on a modest house when we bought it and got a NORMAL loan. We try to save but with 2 kids and what I like to refer to as our "second" mortgage which is our daycare costs, it hard.

But now we are really feeling the pinch because I drive over 20 miles to work and fill up with gas 2-3 times a week, our 401K's and Roth IRA's are losing money badly, our gas/electric bills are high and everything is just generally more expensive, even clothes and school supplies. But where I feel it the most in in groceries. I never spent a lot at the store, clip coupons and shop only once a week on Sunday's (I inherited this habit from my mom). I even shop at Costco (a Sam's Club type store) and buy all of my meat and freeze it to last for many months....but now even the necessities are getting expensive.

Do you know how much fricken milk my family drinks? Over two gallons a week, mainly because my husband drinks a ton. I barely touch the stuff (my stomach for some reason can't handle it) so I may spend as much as $7-$10 in just milk! And bread it like three bucks and all of the fruit and veggies are up about 10-20%. I saw yesterday at the gas station a 12 pack of pepsi was $4.99 (growing up it was about $3.99 for a 24 pack!).

What. The. Hell?

So now we have to cut back because just last night Ben told me he was nervous about the economy and we need to not spend a dime, nor charge ANYTHING to our credit card. He also alluded to the fact we can't buy anything for Christmas this year, which is fine with me but makes me a little sad about not getting the girls much. I looked at him and felt like saying - I only bought them each three gifts last year, what am I supposed to do, get them one gift this yea? But I kept my mouth shut because he's stressed out already just thinking about money.

But if I say hey...let's cut out Direct TV, TiVo, drop our Y membership, drop our NETFLIX membership, don't eat out on Saturday afternoon's for lunch, cut out our Internet, contribute less to your IRA, and drop down to one cell phone instead of two do you think he would take me up on it? No, because those are all things he enjoys and actually pursued. By my calculation, that would save exactly $372 a month, which in turn I can spend on groceries for the month and still have money left over.

We aren't exactly there yet....but I have a feeling if we do get in dire straights we'll have to make a few sacrifices.

Just like the rest of America.