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Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: Freeper on April 22, 2011, 07:44:37 PM

Title: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Freeper on April 22, 2011, 07:44:37 PM
Quote
TNLib  (294 posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Fri Apr-22-11 05:31 PM
Original message
Drastic times = Change in Life style
   
Because of the increase cost of fuel, food and other commodities I have drastically changed how I live over the past few years. I use to alway spend allot of time at malls and expensive grocery stores (like fresh market) I use to spend allot of money eating out at high priced chain restaurants like out back and Long horn. Over the years I've changed my lifestyle. I rarely eat out for dinner. I've become a vegetarian. I bought a hybrid vehicle. I moved close to where I work. I've stayed at jobs that I really don't like just to live closer to work. My mother moved in with me because she can't afford to live on her own. Now I'm starting a vegetable garden and I've always had a black thumb. I shop at the dollar tree now.

And I have a good paying stable job in IT but I feel it's necessary to make changes in my life style because of survival.

But at some point I wonder when is it going to end and how far do we need to go.

I'm starting to think we are going to back to the days where every home has a garden, farm and chickens and pretty soon we'll be putting up stables and riding horses to get around town. The grocery store may become that little country shop around the corner, but instead of being in the country it will be in the suburbs or city. I think we're going back in time. I just wonder how far back.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x942740

Well Obama did run on hope and change.
Looks like you got the change part.

Quote
femrap  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Fri Apr-22-11 07:43 PM
Response to Original message
9. Make sure you are saving
   
as much money as possible. If you have a 401K, invest as much as possible....at least as much that the company matches. To me, money represents FREEDOM.

I'm very proud of you....eating meals at home and becoming a vegetarian. And the garden....very good steps to take. And it sounds as if you are enjoying it. Happiness isn't dependent on Spending $ and having 'things.'

You are light years ahead of many....Good for you!!!

So you are one of those greedy people Mikey Moore was talking about, just sitting on a pile of cash.

Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: I_B_Perky on April 22, 2011, 09:23:29 PM
Quote
TNLib  (294 posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Fri Apr-22-11 05:31 PM
Original message
Drastic times = Change in Life style
   
Because of the increase cost of fuel, food and other commodities I have drastically changed how I live over the past few years. I use to alway spend allot of time at malls and expensive grocery stores (like fresh market) I use to spend allot of money eating out at high priced chain restaurants like out back and Long horn. Over the years I've changed my lifestyle. I rarely eat out for dinner. I've become a vegetarian. I bought a hybrid vehicle. I moved close to where I work. I've stayed at jobs that I really don't like just to live closer to work. My mother moved in with me because she can't afford to live on her own. Now I'm starting a vegetable garden and I've always had a black thumb. I shop at the dollar tree now.

And I have a good paying stable job in IT but I feel it's necessary to make changes in my life style because of survival.

But at some point I wonder when is it going to end and how far do we need to go.

I'm starting to think we are going to back to the days where every home has a garden, farm and chickens and pretty soon we'll be putting up stables and riding horses to get around town. The grocery store may become that little country shop around the corner, but instead of being in the country it will be in the suburbs or city. I think we're going back in time. I just wonder how far back.

Well dumbass... I have always lived below what I make. I invest the rest. Why you may ask? Because I do not want to be beholden to the gummint to survive. Currently I can live 1 year with zero income, at my current lifestyle, and that is not even touching my retirement funds. It is really easy to do. A wise man, my father (may he rest in peace, 10/14/1934-04/21/2011), told me long ago that it is really easy to save. What one does is that when you are starting out you set a budget and live within it. Then when the salary advances come, you save those for the simple reason is that you are already living on what you currently make and if you take those salary advances, you will find it harder to cut back when life throws the inevitable curveball at you. He told me conventional wisdom is to have 3-6 months of savings... and he told me that is wrong. You should have at least 1 year and it is prudent to have two or even three yrs.

Once you get that, then you invest the rest in retirement. Over 40 some years, invested conservatively, you will be able to live the lifestyle that you are accustomed to in your golden years.

I have followed that advice. However in this Obama economy, I have been scrimping even more the last couple of years so I can get up to 3 years of no income and maintain my lifestyle.

It is called financial planning.

He also told me that once every third year, you should save and splurge a little bit and maybe take a vacation at the beach. Recharge your batteries so to speak. I always wondered why when I was growing up we always took a vacation every third year instead of every year like every one else.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Evil_Conservative on April 22, 2011, 10:58:54 PM
I don't get how buying a hybrid and becoming a vegetarian is a must-have lifestyle change in bad economic times.  You still have to buy fuel and food.  What's the difference?  We're not vegetarians, but we also don't buy a lot of meat.  When we do buy meat, we go to the store and buy the stuff that is marked down because of the 'sell by' date. 
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: compaqxp on April 22, 2011, 11:33:23 PM
Well dumbass... I have always lived below what I make. I invest the rest. Why you may ask? Because I do not want to be beholden to the gummint to survive. Currently I can live 1 year with zero income, at my current lifestyle, and that is not even touching my retirement funds. It is really easy to do. A wise man, my father (may he rest in peace, 10/14/1934-04/21/2011), told me long ago that it is really easy to save. What one does is that when you are starting out you set a budget and live within it. Then when the salary advances come, you save those for the simple reason is that you are already living on what you currently make and if you take those salary advances, you will find it harder to cut back when life throws the inevitable curveball at you. He told me conventional wisdom is to have 3-6 months of savings... and he told me that is wrong. You should have at least 1 year and it is prudent to have two or even three yrs.

Once you get that, then you invest the rest in retirement. Over 40 some years, invested conservatively, you will be able to live the lifestyle that you are accustomed to in your golden years.

I have followed that advice. However in this Obama economy, I have been scrimping even more the last couple of years so I can get up to 3 years of no income and maintain my lifestyle.

It is called financial planning.

He also told me that once every third year, you should save and splurge a little bit and maybe take a vacation at the beach. Recharge your batteries so to speak. I always wondered why when I was growing up we always took a vacation every third year instead of every year like every one else.

Very very good advise.

When I was younger and lived in a tiny apartment I put away everything I could and now I put away close to 50% (After tax. I'm cheap and buy very little along with the amount I make) of my income each year. I could easily live for the next 3 years on what I've saved with my current lifestyle and many more if I cut back.

Not everyone has that luxury but most can't last more then a few months if that which is a huge issue.

Too bad most don't get advise like that, my grandfather gave me similar advise when I was young, I took his advise and I'm glad I did.

Quote
I don't get how buying a hybrid and becoming a vegetarian is a must-have lifestyle change in bad economic times.

DUmmie logic, it's not worth trying to understand. Buying a new car to cut back on spending.  :rotf:
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: formerlurker on April 23, 2011, 06:00:23 AM
Quote
TNLib  (294 posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Fri Apr-22-11 05:31 PM
Original message
Drastic times = Change in Life style
   
Because of the increase cost of fuel, food and other commodities I have drastically changed how I live over the past few years. I use to alway spend allot of time at malls and expensive grocery stores (like fresh market) I use to spend allot of money eating out at high priced chain restaurants like out back and Long horn. Over the years I've changed my lifestyle. I rarely eat out for dinner. I've become a vegetarian. I bought a hybrid vehicle. I moved close to where I work. I've stayed at jobs that I really don't like just to live closer to work. My mother moved in with me because she can't afford to live on her own. Now I'm starting a vegetable garden and I've always had a black thumb. I shop at the dollar tree now.

And I have a good paying stable job in IT but I feel it's necessary to make changes in my life style because of survival.

But at some point I wonder when is it going to end and how far do we need to go.

I'm starting to think we are going to back to the days where every home has a garden, farm and chickens and pretty soon we'll be putting up stables and riding horses to get around town. The grocery store may become that little country shop around the corner, but instead of being in the country it will be in the suburbs or city. I think we're going back in time. I just wonder how far back.

In a few years he has moved and stayed at JOBS (plural) he doesn't like to be closer to work.........  hmmmm, looks like a bouncy, walks like a bouncy, quacks like a bouncy......  yeah, this guy is full of shit.     

These DU misfits go to great pains to post every minute detail of their pathetic lives, but this guy waits a few years to tell them all the changes he has made because times, they are a changing. 

Hope and change baby.   Who knew that the messiah meant change = buy a hybrid, become a vegetarian, and grow a garden. 

I guess he really isn't going to pay their mortgage or gas bills is he?   BASTARD!   
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Randy on April 23, 2011, 06:50:45 AM

I guess he really isn't going to pay their mortgage or gas bills is he?   BASTARD!   

There's a Facebook status passing around right now about making Obumbler a 1 termer if gas hits $5 a gallon. It's funny how many people seem to hate him these days.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Mr Mannn on April 23, 2011, 07:45:13 AM
None of this brave change of lifestyle impresses me much.

If the DUmmies put down the weed and got a job...THAT would be a change of lifestyle!

If gas and food are too expensive...then weed is a recreational drug you can do without.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: zeitgeist on April 23, 2011, 08:15:25 AM
Very very good advise.

When I was younger and lived in a tiny apartment I put away everything I could and now I put away close to 50% (After tax. I'm cheap and buy very little along with the amount I make) of my income each year. I could easily live for the next 3 years on what I've saved with my current lifestyle and many more if I cut back.

Not everyone has that luxury but most can't last more then a few months if that which is a huge issue.

Too bad most don't get advise like that, my grandfather gave me similar advise when I was young, I took his advise and I'm glad I did.

DUmmie logic, it's not worth trying to understand. Buying a new car to cut back on spending.  :rotf:


I seem to remember something like a parable in that book, you know, The Bible, about saving for the lean years?

Seemes like that thing was a wealth of good advice.   :whistling:
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: NHSparky on April 23, 2011, 08:37:30 AM
There's a Facebook status passing around right now about making Obumbler a 1 termer if gas hits $5 a gallon. It's funny how many people seem to hate him these days.

I don't think we'll even have to wait for $5/gal gas.  If it stays above $4 for more than a couple of months, he's screwed.

And no, I don't think he has any plan to help lower gas prices, seeing how he won't allow drilling.  Tinfoil hat conspiracies notwithstanding, he's showing to be more and more like Carter--hatred of the GOP/Nixon/Ford brought him in, the economy threw him out.  Likewise the nation's dislike of Bush gave us Obama, and it's the economy that will ensure he leaves office in January 2013.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Ballygrl on April 23, 2011, 08:46:30 AM
I know I sound like a broken record, but where is the RNC running ads about Obama refusing to allow drilling? there's plenty of clips to play of him saying he has no problem with high gas prices, why not put those into a commercial?
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: jukin on April 23, 2011, 09:22:52 AM
Just wait until it's Pious hits around 40k miles and needs a new battery bank. That will run it about $5,000.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: NHSparky on April 23, 2011, 09:41:17 AM
I know I sound like a broken record, but where is the RNC running ads about Obama refusing to allow drilling? there's plenty of clips to play of him saying he has no problem with high gas prices, why not put those into a commercial?

All things in due course.  Any given talking point only has a certain shelf-life.  A bit longer if the MSM bleats it, to be sure, but even then only for so long until the sheeple grow tired of it and look for newer and better things to be outraged over.

Besides, most states won't have even had their primaries by this point next year.  The Republicans have NO declared presidential candidates yet. 

I agree that if gas is anywhere near this price in 10-12 months, hammer Obama over this point, and hammer it hard.  Before that, wasting ammo.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: BlueStateSaint on April 23, 2011, 03:13:11 PM
I don't think we'll even have to wait for $5/gal gas.  If it stays above $4 for more than a couple of months, he's screwed.

And no, I don't think he has any plan to help lower gas prices, seeing how he won't allow drilling.  Tinfoil hat conspiracies notwithstanding, he's showing to be more and more like Carter--hatred of the GOP/Nixon/Ford brought him in, the economy threw him out.  Likewise the nation's dislike of Bush gave us Obama, and it's the economy that will ensure he leaves office in January 2013.

Take a gander at this . . .

Quote
Orlando gas station charges $5.69 a gallon

By Ben Rooney, staff reporterApril 22, 2011: 3:44 PM ET


NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Gas prices are on the rise nationwide, but one filling station in Florida has earned the dubious distinction of having the highest prices in the country.

Suncoast Energys, located near the Orlando International Airport, was charging $5.69 a gallon for regular gasoline on Friday. That's the highest of any gas retailer in the nation, according to price tracker gasbuddy.com.

By contrast, the average price in the city of Orlando is $3.78 a gallon, a few pennies below the state and national averages.

Patrick DeHann, senior analyst at gasbuddy.com, said many tourists use the station before returning rental cars on the way to the airport, without realizing how expensive the gas is until it's too late.

This guy looks like he'll be a target for Eric Holder.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/22/news/economy/highest_gas_prices_in_the_nation/index.htm?hpt=T2
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: true_blood on April 23, 2011, 03:37:59 PM
Well Obama did run on hope and change.
Looks like you got the change part.
Exactly Freeper.

Still like your lord dumbo now primitives? How's those gas/food prices? After all, obozo wanted to close off deep water drilling for American oil companies. Why did he want to do that again??? And what purpose would it serve??! :mental:
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: NHSparky on April 23, 2011, 03:56:32 PM
Quote
many tourists use the station before returning rental cars on the way to the airport

IOW, nobody is holding a gun to the head of idiot tourist.  Besides, is anyone bitching about the rental car companies charging $7-8/gal or more if you return it empty without a fuel waiver?
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Randy on April 23, 2011, 07:16:36 PM
Exactly Sparky, that station has been highlighted on the local news for being the highest in town and they've asked tourists what they think about it as they're filling up. They cite the rental car rape price as to why they don't mind paying the station price.
You can go a couple of blocks in any other available direction and find cheaper gas. They just choose not to.

I had occasion to get screwed by the OIA rental companies last month. $100 for 2 days rental was the cheapest you could get out of the Airport. They had $7.80 a gallon posted at the counter. I filled up about 5 miles from the airport on the way back to drop it off. I was on the surface streets not the major highway intersections where they lie in wait for the yankee wallets.  :-)
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: diesel driver on April 23, 2011, 07:17:31 PM
Just wait until it's Pious hits around 40k miles and needs a new battery bank. That will run it about $5,000.

My stepson is looking for a smaller car to drive to work instead of his Chevy Trailblazer, 90 miles per day, round trip.

He told me he found a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid for a good price, supposed to get 40-50 MPG.  I told him HELL NO!  The batteries are near the end of their service life, and replacements will cost twice what he would pay for the car.  Keep looking.

He bought a 2001 Cavalier 5-speed with 130K on the odo.  $2,500 and 35 MPG, no leaks and doesn't use oil (does have a funny rattle under the floorboard, probably converter heat shield.)  The savings in gas alone (at current prices) will be $300/month.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Evil_Conservative on April 23, 2011, 08:46:20 PM
IOW, nobody is holding a gun to the head of idiot tourist.  Besides, is anyone bitching about the rental car companies charging $7-8/gal or more if you return it empty without a fuel waiver?

And everyone knows gas stations closer to an airport charge more money.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Chris_ on April 23, 2011, 08:51:45 PM
And everyone knows gas stations closer to an airport charge more money.

Not true here, at least in once instance.  There IS a side road that sits directly across of a long-term parking lot that is slightly more expensive, but the Raceway and BP closest to the airport here have the lowest prices in the immediate area.  Maybe there is a gas station in the airport complex, but I'm not aware of it... it's been remodeled recently.

I've noticed the further you get from affluent and congested areas, the lower prices get.  The gas in my neighborhood is at least 20 cents higher than what's out at the airport.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Evil_Conservative on April 23, 2011, 08:59:41 PM
Not true here, at least in once instance.  There IS a side road that sits directly across of a long-term parking lot that is slightly more expensive, but the Raceway and BP closest to the airport here have the lowest prices in the immediate area.  Maybe there is a gas station in the airport complex, but I'm not aware of it... it's been remodeled recently.

I've noticed the further you get from affluent and congested areas, the lower prices get.  The gas in my neighborhood is at least 20 cents higher than what's out at the airport.

My previous job was in Summerlin.  The gas station was 10-20 cents more per gallon compared to my side of town.  You saw a lot of Lamborghini's, Bentley's, and such in that area.  I avoided filling up near work to save some change, and that was before these ridiculous gas prices hit.
Title: Re: Drastic times = Change in Life style
Post by: Chris_ on April 23, 2011, 09:03:42 PM
I paid $40 to fill most of my tank Thursday.  I'm glad I can charge some of that back as work expenses since I have to drive 16 miles (round trip) to the call center out by shOpryland.  This stuff is getting expensive.

I miss my 4-mile commute from last year, but I don't miss the job.