Bailout bill fails; Dow drops more than 500? Anyone making "changes" in their life

MrsNich

Who else is getting nervous about the market and economy??? 

I am!  Is anyone doing anything differently?  Regarding money, grocery shopping, etc?  Any tips on saving? 

sarah-belle

I'm ill over this whole mess.  And scared.

JustCallMeMrs.P

We haven't started doing anything differently, but maybe its about time we start thinking about it?! Ugh...

JaimeLouInNH

I am! My DH works for an investment firm and his pay is affected by the amount of assets he retains.  People are getting really nervous and taking their money to cash or to other firms.  It totally stinks!

We have a second baby on the way and I think its time for us to start making cutbacks.  I can only imagine what it is going to be like paying the daycare bill for two!

MrsNich

I haven't done anything differently yet either....but I am starting to think a bit more about it.  We spend a lot on silly things...and groceries, etc.  It doesn't help when you work at a financial institution and you see your 401K keeping going down and down by 25%...

mrs.magoo

Totally scary. I've already thought about telling our families "no christmas gifts" I'd much rather just spend the time with them have have dinner, vs. giving gifts. I may start making my own baby food as well, because of this and I certainly don't drive many places, usually I just stay in and try to get out a couple times a week and that is it, just to save on gas alone. On one income, it is not easy and it will not get any easier - who knows, maybe I'll pick up a weekend job somewhere if it gets bad...I don't even want to think about my Roth right now....

MrsA2Be

My DH's biggest client cancelled on him last month - he's a consultant.  They are just financially strained - so we're feeling the trickle-down effect even this soon.  It's one of the reasons we decided to try to sell our house and move into the 2 family.  And we've been very judicius about driving around b/c of gas $$.  Ugh.  One good thing is that my family and DH's family grew up on "depression" food - because our parents did.  So, things like pasta fagioli, pasta with homemade pesto, etc - making our own bread, etc.  So, for food, we have cut back, but it's more nostalgic than an effort.

Victoria808

It's down over 700 right now. WOW. This is not good at all.

Fiantas

I don't know where we could cut at this point in our house stuff.  I know in the last year we were able to save a lot for a wedding, and we promised we would get back on that savings plan after the holidays so we could buy a house soonish (which I think is farther off than expected)

So I think that our entertainment expenses will have to go down. 

nhcats

so far the economy has not been bad for DH's business...people are actually buying more buses to save on gas.  As for the home, we definitely don't go as many places...we eat in almost all of the time.  I did hang up a clothes line this summer and had a little garden (which I plan on expanding next summer).  We definitely cut back on shopping because we really don't go anywhere. 

Mrs.L4L

This whole thing makes me so nervous since I still don't feel like I have a good amount in savings== having been in the "real world" for only 3 years and just having had a wedding...

We have cut back a lot on groceries and are making a lot of things ourselves= like bread or brownies and cookies instead of buying those items.  Good thing DH is a great cook!  I am thankful that I don't have a far commute to work- about 3 miles so my gas usually lasts for a long time since we don't go anywhere... however I just started my masters so I've been driving more often.  I am good about bringing my lunch and not shopping.

WideSmileMama

I know the buyout wasn't really what anybody wanted, but if it doesn't somehow happen we are all going to know what it is like to REALLY tighten our belts.  If you think the economy is bad now, just wait!

MyNameHere

IMO we need to not panic. Yes, things are REALLY bad big picture but if we all try to cut our spending suddenly (esp. those who don't really need to) things are going to go from really bad to worse fast. There are also a lot of opportunities right now too.