How hard up is anyone here for money?

[TK421]

how is this economy treating you folks...I mean, are you eating normally?

I'm eating beets out of a fucking can right now

[Meshuga]

1. I am trying to save up an extra 5% of my income on top of other savings

But this week my employer decides to cut everyone's salary by 5% until the end of the year. And they also cut the 401K matching. Go figure! At least I was able to keep my job.

[TK421]

3. Oh wonderful! At least you get to keep your job..

sorry about that, hope you get to stay there...my job is going through a "transition" ( at least that's what they're calling it ) and they're bringing in a person to oversee the financial doings and evaluate. I'm not sure if I'll have a job in a few months or not....time will tell.

This is a non-profit organization, BTW

[Meshuga]

5. My wife works for a non-profit

And they might run out of funds by September. That's why we're saving as much as we can. My current project is going to Bangalore but my employer offered me a new position to develop a new product. I was ready to be out of a job on April 1st but I was fortunately able to stay on.

[Pierre.Suave]

2. edit

Sorry. I did not mean to seem insensitive.

[TK421]

4. Beets out of a can? I don't know...tell me more

[Lethe]

6. beets are great as a digestive marker

and so is corn

:freak:

[Inchworm]

7. My status is unchanged

surviving.

G'luck on your end.

:hug:

[carlyhippy]

8. In years past I always spent 100.00 on groceries a week

I am still spending 100.00 a week on groceries today, but I am not getting hardly any food, just enough for meals and a box of cake or brownie mix if it is on sale. 20 years and even 10 years ago, 100.00 bought steaks, deli, and a heaping grocery cart, now it buys hamburger, chicken and about 3 sacks of food.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

10. Same here ...........

I shop once a week, and the amounts I spend are shocking every damn week. Now, I make very detailed lists so I know exactly what's on sale and how much it is. I also shop with a friend, and we split the "buy one, get one free" items, like yesterday, when we got some terrific baby back ribs on sale.

But, even with taking all that care, I'm absolutely floored by how little I get for how much I spend. It's insane. I don't know how big families do it......

[laundry_queen]

24. Today I noticed...

That a gallon of milk, where I am, went up $1.40 a jug since last week. Unfrigginbelievable. Eggs went up by $0.60.
I want 'rollbacks' on that shit, not Hannah Montana body wash and deodorant.

We have cut back a lot. We never eat out. I make nearly everything from scratch. I now cook the same things (IOW, depression food)my grandma used to. Lots of potato soup and spaghetti, with meat dishes more like every other day or 2 instead of everyday. I manage to feed my kids fairly healthily, but not nearly as good as it could be. We've managed to keep the weekly amount at about $200 (Canadian $$) for a household of 6. That's with a ton of coupon clipping and watching prices very closely, and only buying in bulk when on sale and all that...

We've been lucky, dh still has a job, although he makes a lot less than he used to. I don't know how those who have lost their jobs cope. My heart goes out to all of you.

[Midlodemocrat]

30. I can't get over how high grocery prices have gotten.

They skyrocketed with the gas prices, but haven't come back down.

I went to purchase a big box of Goldfish the other day and it was over $8. :wtf:

Last summer, it was $5.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

33. In fact,

they continue to go up, even as gas prices went down.

We're getting burned, that's all there is to it. What are our options? Not eating?

I used to love to grocery shop - my Harris Teeter was like a food museum to me, full of wonderful and new things to try. Now, I have a list and I just want to get through it as quickly as possible. It's work ...........................

[Midlodemocrat]

34. Been going to Costco more and more and the grocery store less and less.

Getting monotonous, but it saves a huge chunk of change.

[Jamastiene]

25. If grocery prices keep going up like they have, I'm going to be in trouble.

I completely agree with what you have noticed about it. Same here.

[carlyhippy]

9. .

[DeepBlueC]

11. you had to pawn your DISHES?!!!

[Roon]

12. Foodstamps, two foodbanks, SSDI

and my kitties both have a sponser for litter and food. Tomorrow I have ground lamb to eat that I got from the foodbank. Going to be interesting.

[Breeze54]

13. I eat soup more.... lot more. n/t

:(

[grasswire]

14. I'm sorry.

I wish I could give you the leftover pot of soup and bread from supper. I like canned beets, but I also know what it's like to be shocked by one's own situation. I'm very sorry. :hug:

[Forkboy]

15. Struggling.

My food stamps got cut off a few months back because I returned yearly paperwork they wanted, but they gave it to the wrong caseworker. By the time the mistake was realized my food stamps had been stopped. Three months later and I'm still trying to get things straightened out. In the meantime, it's seriously cut into my SSI, which is $707/month. This last week of the month is always tight. I had a hot dog and handful of pretzels today, but after you're tale of canned beets I feel like I ate good.

Sorry you're in the mess you are. I hope things get better soon.

[astral]

16. oh I dunno, I think I'd rather have a can of beets than a

hot dog.

but that's just me.

I am learning to tone down my palate to match my income. Bought a bunch of top ramens and cup-o noodles this week. I don't have a thing for cup o noodles but they sounded like something nice and useless to have for lunch now and then. I used to be crazy for top ramens, mix in a little onion and frozen peas, and melt in a bit too much butter, add cayenne pepper and brewers yeast.

I got sick of them many years ago so they're actually gonna be kind of a treat for me now.

Sad, I know.

; )

[quakerboy]

17. Brewers yeast?

What does that add?

[Forkboy]

19. About 5 bucks to the bill.

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

:hide:

[Forkboy]

21. I got a little spoiled with the food stamps.

I was actually eating good things for a change, but now I'm back to crap. My food stamps mess should be straightened out soon...I hope.

When I was younger Raman was like some mana from heaven. :)

[lizziegrace]

35. Down to one meal a day

most days.

[ThomCat]

18. I'm eating through my 401k because public assistance isn't

enough to survive on.

I'm waiting, waiting, waiting for my social security disability to be approved and for my long term disability insurance payments to begin. Once my payments begin I should have a decent amount of guaranteed income, as long as the insurance company doesn't fight me tooth and nail. But of course the insurance company is going to fight it every year for the rest of my life, so I'm pretty screwed.

:(

[Forkboy]

20. How long have you been waiting for the SSDI?

[ThomCat]

22. 6 months.

:(

I had my physical with Social Security's doctor last week, and he said I should have a decision in 4-6 weeks. So if he's right, and all goes well, then that means it will take 7 months to get my decision.

It looks good that I'll be approved. :)

[Forkboy]

23. That's actually quick if it goes through that fast.

Most people have to wait longer, though I don't know what your particular disability is. Talk about mixed feelings...I want you to get help as soon as possible, but not because you have a disability so serious that it's the reason it's happening faster. x(

I'm on SSI, not SSDI, but I had to wait two and half years, two denials, and one court hearing to finally get it.

I hope it goes through for you as quickly as possible. Tough times to be hurting for financial support.

[Ikonoklast]

26. Vas iss dis 'Mooney' ting yoo are talkking about?

No work since Oct. 4, so no income, either.

Savings just about gone, borrowed money to keep business afloat...things are looking pretty grim.

Good thing that both kids still living at home work in restaraunts, at least they can bring home food and get free meals at work. Helps out, big-time.

And my Mom and Dad are back home from Florida, they're always good for a free meal on Sunday.

[XemaSab]

27. Unemployment keeps me in beer

:shrug:

[Ikonoklast]

28. Aren't you getting wrinkled?

I though they mailed checks out...

[petronius]

39. It's not the wrinkling that makes you want to get out, it's that eventually

the pee/beer ratio gets a little too high...

[Lyric]

29. It's harder than it's been in a while.

We're used to scraping by, but right now it's just murder. We're waiting to hear from our department about getting a $500 reimbursement (each) for a class we had to pay out-of-pocket expenses to take this semester, and although that'll be $1000, it'll get eaten up instantly when we pay the summer rent. We're also looking into requesting a budget review for my financial aid, as we had some unexpected "big" expenses early in the semester (buying a new fridge because the old one died and replacing all of that food.) We thought we could tough it out and make it without that $1000, but now that the semester is almost over, it's hitting us hard. We're behind on electric, and the fridge is looking awfully thin.

I need to get down to the welfare office and reapply for Food Stamps and Medicaid. Mine expired at the beginning of this month, and I've been avoiding going back because the last time I was there, I got a lecture from the social worker doing my case about how those nasty Democrats just throw money at everything, and how welfare is just their way of paying people to vote Democratic. Ugh. I wanted to blister her ear SO badly, but I couldn't risk her throwing a wrench into my case, so I sat there and didn't say a word. Now I'm anxious about having to go through that again. :(

Rhythm's at the store right now with what little money we have left, picking up some pasta, rice, and tomato sauce for dinner stuff for the next few days. Can't go to the welfare office until Tuesday.

I hope you're all taking care of yourselves.

:grouphug:

[FloridaJudy]

31. A nanometer better

Than last month. That is if my retirement ever comes through - Florida lost my paperwork twice! I'll have enough to keep the lights on, the DSL connected and the critters fed, though there won't be much left over for luxuries/emergencies.

I've been looking for work fruitlessly for over six months. I certainly hadn't planned on retiring so soon on so little money, but I'm in lot better shape than some.

[Lucian]

32. I work at a Walmart...how do you think?

I make $3/hr less, on average, than my coworkers. In the fall, when I go back to college, I'm not going to bring my car with me. I'm going to choose the meal plan offered at the college because it'd be $1,040/semester. I'm paying ~$50/mo for insurance, and add in $100/wk for groceries, the unlimited meal plan would be way cheaper. I remember when I went to college the first time around it was A LOT more expensive to get the meal plan vs buying groceries. Not anymore.

Oh, and for supper the other night, I had ramen noodles. :(

[annonymous]

36. I buy most groceries at Aldi and Costco

I buy mostly basic grocery items such as canned goods, dried pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, carrots, onions, bananas, celery. I avoid premade frozen dinners, out of season produce, baked goods and soda. I make most dinners from scratch. I also have a garden and visit farmers markets. I buy most meat at Costco because the quality is much better. I have been unemployed since the beginning of February and I don't qualify for unemployment because I worked at my last job for only 5 months. My husband is still employed and recently got a raise; however, he is working less overtime than he used to so money has been tight. We haven't resorted to ramen noodle dinners or mac n cheese dinners yet, but have cut back in other areas such as entertainment, clothing, and dining out. We buy personal care items such as shampoo, shaving cream and soap at the dollar store.

[Bertha Venation]

37. this thread has saddened me

[NV Whino]

38. I'm scraping by from month to month

You all have been talking about food prices going up in the stores. I anticipated that and have put in a big garden. But I bought a 4" tomato plant for a client yesterday and the normally $4.95 plant cost $7.95.

And we just had another frost last night. I was out at 1:00 AM covering plants. I'm afraid to go look this morning. I can't afford to replant again.

[lizziegrace]

40. I only bought 4 plants. The rest I'm starting from seed

can't afford the plants. Also, when I moved to Milwaukee, I couldn't take my garden tools and wheelbarrow, so I gave them away. Now I can't get a garden in without them. Oh well. x(

[NV Whino]

41. Sign on to FreeCycle in your area

and get some tools. People give away extra plants, too. I just got some flowers I like and last year someone gave tomato plants that had sprouted in her compost bin.

And update on the frost last night. Everything survived. Whew!

[AwakeAtLast]

42. I'm alrighti right now

but I've been where you are. There was a time years ago when I was eating one bean burrito every night for supper. I don't remember what I did for lunch, I'm sure it was somethning that spread out. I was able to get at least three burritos out of one can of beans. I did that for a long time. Sorry to read about your situation. I'm sending positive vibes your way!

:hug:

[UndertheOcean]

43. Thank good I am no longer living on 16k a year like last year....

[Pacifist Patriot]

44. Eating normally, but not what we used to eat.

Definitely more pasta on the menu.

Oddly enough, I remember eating beets out of a can in college and thinking that was a treat. I was and am a sick individual.

[City of Mills]

45. My truck just died, can't afford to fix it

So I will be walking everywhere for the next several months...on the plus side, I should save a bit on gas!

[peacefreak]

47. I'm right there with you.

My car died 2 months ago. My unemployment barely covers rent & food. I am trying to save some money to repair it, but it's nearly impossible. Sigh.

[City of Mills]

46. My truck just died, can't afford to fix it

So I will be walking everywhere for the next several months...on the plus side, I should save a bit on gas!

[femmocrat]

48. We're OK. Thanks for asking.

But I'm sorry so many DUers are having a tough time. :hug: