Dune Dad Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 (edited) I have been a Contractor for some time and have seen some fat times and now dealing with some lean times... Keeping things simple seems to really work... For instance when I buying materials with Cash and not Credit I have really paid attention to the over all cost. The same has followed with general shopping. When your not using credit cards you really watch whats going out. I went to Chaparral MotorSports to get tires and things for this dune season.. Usually I would have the kids with me and we would blow the tires off of a credit card buying stuff. LOL!! :beer_bang: Now were sticking to the basics.. I think the best investments Iv made is recycling the beer cans.... The more you drink the more you get back... So what are you doing to survive this recession were in? Edited October 16, 2009 by Dune Family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sand chick Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Budget food shopping.... make a list and stick to it! I can feed a family of 4 on $60 - $70 a week! And eat healthy foods! Work my a$$ off and get a promotion Stay home on weekends.. we never go out or very rarely do.. so instead of blowing a bunch of cash at the bar on off weekends, we have extra cash to hit the dunes! And nothing is better then cuddling on the couch watching a movie with your :beer_bang: ones!! Instead of buying $60.00 worth of Pizzazz food.. PB and J's and Tuna keeping the food budget cheaper on dune trips means we can make a couple extra trips this year! I trade Pizzazz food for a bonus dune trip anyday!! Cutting back to bare minimums on just about everything! Gave up the little extra luxuries such as having my hair colored $135 or more every month or every other month goes a long way towards dune trips... Everytime I go to spend some $$$ I think "Do I REALLY need this? Is this REALLY necessary?" THINK before you buy! Mike and I's biggest love is duning... so we give up a great deal of other luxury items to make those trips! We get alot of crap for it sometimes.. don't really care.. we are doing what WE love to do and its a darn good thing we both love the dunes or it would never work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnut Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 The answer to surving the recession is easy. Quit paying all your bills.(Mortgage, credit cards, car payments etc). By doing this it's easy to afford trips to the dunes, cruises or other nice vacations!!! It's the way of Americans!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sand chick Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 And take your lunches to work instead of eating lunch out everyday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahsumtoy Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 We have done a lot like Sand Chick. I pack my lunch to work now We cancelled HBO Got rid of house phone and now we only use or cell phone Drive a little slower to work to save a little on MPG Cancelled going to Jiffy Lube, change my own oil now Hardly go out to eat, we BBQ a lot at home now Plan shopping so we only go into town maybe once every 2 weeks Wife stopped getting nails done, and hair colored all the time Wash my own cars Used to have 2 trash cans, now we pay for only 1 Use cash for everything, no more using charge cards Shop at Frey's of Safeway and when we have spent $100, we get 20 cents off on gas. All this so we can have more money for duning. We dune a lot. During the season, we average going to DD about 5 times a season usually staying 4-5 days each time. During Xmas season, we are at DD from a week prior to Xmas through News Years. Then we also go to Gordon's Well about 5 times a season and stay 3-4 days each time. Gas costs a lot since DD is a 6 1/2 drive for us (but worth it). Between the Deisel gas and buggy gas, costs can add up so we have cut back on many things just for this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo_bruce Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 I have been a Contractor for some time and have seen some fat times and now dealing with some lean times... Keeping things simple seems to really work... For instance when I buying materials with Cash and not Credit I have really paid attention to the over all cost. The same has followed with general shopping. When your not using credit cards you really watch whats going out. I went to Chaparral MotorSports to get tires and things for this dune season.. Usually I would have the kids with me and we would blow the tires off of a credit card buying stuff. LOL!! :beer_bang: Now were sticking to the basics.. I think the best investments Iv made is recycling the beer cans.... The more you drink the more you get back... So what are you doing to survive this recession were in? i think the best way to save $$$ first go bald so no more hair cut get fat then stop eating and only 1 shower a week whether you need it or dont o wait bill you have all ready done all that lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dune Dad Posted October 16, 2009 Author Share Posted October 16, 2009 i think the best way to save $$$ first go bald so no more hair cut get fat then stop eating and only 1 shower a week whether you need it or dont o wait bill you have all ready done all that lol LOL!! :beer_bang: Yep.. I got that covered... The water thing really has saved us a ton of $$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgeloco Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Well where should I start with; I take my home made lunch to work I don't go out drinking every weekend like before, now I stay home hoo yeah fire the pool guy and the gardener, save lots of $$$$$$$ there Trim the fat at work The wife is realy good at bugeting groceries so she has that cover For our dune trips we only take the necessary chit, so we can do more trips during the season :beer_bang: We are paying for everything in cash no credit for us thank you very much Riding my motocycle to work instead of my truck save gas I did cancelled HBO, Cinemax and all the extra channels we don't watch in other words we went basic We continue looking for ways to save a penny here or there, having two kids in college two mortgages in this economy it's no bueno so every little helps. Just saty positive and keep on trucking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EY3BA11 Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 i havent changed a fking thing.. I still drink regularly.. I still go to the bar.. I still buy useless crap i shouldnt.. Going to hire me a gardner.. and get my yard landscaped.. Still take the wife out to dinner.. still get lunch thru a window. my car gets 30mpg so who cares if i do 90 down the freeway I dont know wtf this recession is your talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnut Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 i havent changed a fking thing.. I still drink regularly.. I still go to the bar.. I still buy useless crap i shouldnt.. Going to hire me a gardner.. and get my yard landscaped.. Still take the wife out to dinner.. still get lunch thru a window. my car gets 30mpg so who cares if i do 90 down the freeway I dont know wtf this recession is your talking about Your not a good example though. All you have to do is keep the 500 running. Your wife doesn't go. You only go a couple of times a season. You don't have a truck or hauler to pay for or maintain and you eat crustables and Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches. So all you need is a little bit of gas and beer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EY3BA11 Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 and yer point is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Wacky Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Since this is not my first recession, I'll pass on what I did. I made a decision in 1986, that I was through depending on a company or someone else for a job. And over th3 course of the next couple of years, started my own small business while at the same time continued working for a company. I worked seven days a week for two years and was in a position to walk away from the job. And I did. I also learned to never have all of your eggs in one basket, and to constantly reinvent your business. Be flexible and willing to change. If one source of customers is weak, then spread out into areas that you have not served before. Remember, even during the great depression, there were industries and workers that prospered. Find a job or spread your business into the areas least affected by the recession. I've bought two homes since 1996. And paid them both off. The best thing you can do for your families finances is pay off your house as soon as possible. If you have a 20-30 year mortgage, then go to a free internet site for loan amortization. Figure out how much additional money you need to pay each month to pay off the home in half the time. And then budget into your monthly bills that amount. If your payment is $1500 and by paying an additional $500 pays it off in half the time, then do it. Consider your new monthly payment to be $2000 and stick with it, Then in three years do this process all over again. That's what I did on the first home and I paid it off in seven years. On the second home, we put down a big down payment...1/3 and payed of the home in five years. Is this hard? No, you do however need to get off your a$$ and work harder. but the rewards far outweigh that problem. Henry Ford was the first to propose a 40 hour work week and for some reason, most Americans believe a 8 hour work day for 5 days is their obligation to society and their families. What a crock. Spend anopther two hours each day working for the boss or go find a part time job for another 20 hours a week. And you can still sand dune. You just won't waste 20 hours a week in front of the boob tube. Pay cash for everything but the big items and then pay them off before the interest kicks in and cost you more dough. Buy clothing and other items off the internet. I buy pants that are American made from American made material. Sure they are more expensive then Wal-Mart. But they last yfor years longer. And the internet sites often include free shipping and no sales tax. To me all a recession does is force me to stretch a little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAlaskan Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 i havent changed a fking thing.. I still drink regularly.. I still go to the bar.. I still buy useless crap i shouldnt.. Going to hire me a gardner.. and get my yard landscaped.. Still take the wife out to dinner.. still get lunch thru a window. my car gets 30mpg so who cares if i do 90 down the freeway I dont know wtf this recession is your talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duniemonkie Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Go to less concerts and avoid having rug-rats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandslayer Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 The answer to surving the recession is easy. Quit paying all your bills.(Mortgage, credit cards, car payments etc). By doing this it's easy to afford trips to the dunes, cruises or other nice vacations!!! It's the way of Americans!!!! I agree with you wingnut! I know so many people that are just letting their houses go even if they can afford it. When the economy comes back these same people will get a break and get into a house even bigger than the first with a lower payment. Where is the break for people that budget, pay their mortgages, and pay bills on time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgeloco Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Since this is not my first recession, I'll pass on what I did. I made a decision in 1986, that I was through depending on a company or someone else for a job. And over th3 course of the next couple of years, started my own small business while at the same time continued working for a company. I worked seven days a week for two years and was in a position to walk away from the job. And I did. I also learned to never have all of your eggs in one basket, and to constantly reinvent your business. Be flexible and willing to change. If one source of customers is weak, then spread out into areas that you have not served before. Remember, even during the great depression, there were industries and workers that prospered. Find a job or spread your business into the areas least affected by the recession. I've bought two homes since 1996. And paid them both off. The best thing you can do for your families finances is pay off your house as soon as possible. If you have a 20-30 year mortgage, then go to a free internet site for loan amortization. Figure out how much additional money you need to pay each month to pay off the home in half the time. And then budget into your monthly bills that amount. If your payment is $1500 and by paying an additional $500 pays it off in half the time, then do it. Consider your new monthly payment to be $2000 and stick with it, Then in three years do this process all over again. That's what I did on the first home and I paid it off in seven years. On the second home, we put down a big down payment...1/3 and payed of the home in five years. Is this hard? No, you do however need to get off your a$$ and work harder. but the rewards far outweigh that problem. Henry Ford was the first to propose a 40 hour work week and for some reason, most Americans believe a 8 hour work day for 5 days is their obligation to society and their families. What a crock. Spend anopther two hours each day working for the boss or go find a part time job for another 20 hours a week. And you can still sand dune. You just won't waste 20 hours a week in front of the boob tube. Pay cash for everything but the big items and then pay them off before the interest kicks in and cost you more dough. Buy clothing and other items off the internet. I buy pants that are American made from American made material. Sure they are more expensive then Wal-Mart. But they last yfor years longer. And the internet sites often include free shipping and no sales tax. To me all a recession does is force me to stretch a little. That is some good advise there Mr. thanks for shering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgeloco Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Go to less concerts and avoid having rug-rats too late for me i have me two and both are going to college.... ooh well there goes my retirament found j/k lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
high octane junkie Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 life is good. =)~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandBurro Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 My wife and I laugh every time we see a special on the news about how to save money. All the tips that are being offered my wife and I have been doing for years, here are some that have not been mentioned: Buy all your kids "play" clothes at the thrift store, they are gona tear it, stain it or ruin it some how any way Stop watering all your grass and plants, replace your sprinklers and really set your timers to water only when necessary Switch all your light bulbs to CFL's or flourecents, plus install motion detectors in bathrooms so the lights dont stay on. DONT LEAVE THE COMPUTER ON ALL DAY!!! Have the kids watch only ONE tv instead of all of them on at teh same time in the house Coupons, coupons, coupons... snip and save and shop thrifty, store brands are just as good as regular. Instead of making mulitiple trips in the week to different places, plan ahead and try to do them all at one time on one day. Re look at your plans with utilities and such, try to get a cheaper cell phone plan, bundle package with tv and internet, etc... Dont use toilet paper, just wipe and wash your hands.... J/K!!! Family entertainment, try to see what is local and most important FREE such as community events or concerts. Ill think of more, but most importantly what we have done as every one has mentioned; NO MORE CREDIT CARDS!!!!!!!!! STRAIT CASH MONEY!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorgeloco Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 My wife and I laugh every time we see a special on the news about how to save money. All the tips that are being offered my wife and I have been doing for years, here are some that have not been mentioned: Buy all your kids "play" clothes at the thrift store, they are gona tear it, stain it or ruin it some how any way Stop watering all your grass and plants, replace your sprinklers and really set your timers to water only when necessary Switch all your light bulbs to CFL's or flourecents, plus install motion detectors in bathrooms so the lights dont stay on. DONT LEAVE THE COMPUTER ON ALL DAY!!! Have the kids watch only ONE tv instead of all of them on at teh same time in the house Coupons, coupons, coupons... snip and save and shop thrifty, store brands are just as good as regular. Instead of making mulitiple trips in the week to different places, plan ahead and try to do them all at one time on one day. Re look at your plans with utilities and such, try to get a cheaper cell phone plan, bundle package with tv and internet, etc... Dont use toilet paper, just wipe and wash your hands.... J/K!!! Family entertainment, try to see what is local and most important FREE such as community events or concerts. Ill think of more, but most importantly what we have done as every one has mentioned; NO MORE CREDIT CARDS!!!!!!!!! STRAIT CASH MONEY!! See now that is a good way to save money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAXDOUT Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 I agree with you wingnut! I know so many people that are just letting their houses go even if they can afford it. When the economy comes back these same people will get a break and get into a house even bigger than the first with a lower payment. Where is the break for people that budget, pay their mortgages, and pay bills on time? You couldn't have hit the nail on the head any better than that. All the azzzzzhats that are throwing in the towel, and begging for help ARE the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man up people and fuggin pay your bills. Like it or not, if you remember you were the one who signed on the dotted line. Realizing you are part of the problem is he first step........try to keep up people. This shait is a joke. :porn: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Agent Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 And take your lunches to work instead of eating lunch out everyday! It adds up doesn't it? That's a HUGE expense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingnut Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 You couldn't have hit the nail on the head any better than that. All the azzzzzhats that are throwing in the towel, and begging for help ARE the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man up people and fuggin pay your bills. Like it or not, if you remember you were the one who signed on the dotted line. Realizing you are part of the problem is he first step........try to keep up people. This shait is a joke. Amen bro. :porn: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superdave Posted October 19, 2009 Share Posted October 19, 2009 freecycle.org. i have gotten rid of some stuff instead of throwing it away and have recieved some stuff like clothes, dvd and vhs movies, a big a$$ trampoline for the grandkid, a tv for our bedroom, etc. all free. worth a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAGDOLL MX Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 We have been clippin coupons. I don't go out. I hardly drink anymore. Try to learn how to do things myself. Having my online buisness has allowed me to splurge and get toys that I would normally not have the money for. Shop smart and drive smart. I don't make a lot of money to begin with but if we have any money left over we put it in our daughters account. It will be fewer dune trips this year but now that we finally have a hauler we can stay longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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