What are you doing to cope with the financial downturn?

As a retired person on a slim fixed income
I pay 40% of my income for insurance and another 60 % for my co pay. I can not stop my med. But I have quit going to the Dr and taking those tests. I have to to use money from my husband income. After 2 years of retirement I do not see how we will make it very long. Medical cost are breaking us so I say. I will avoid them. We do less driving and seldom go any where. We eat out of the garden and eat only cheap cuts of meat. Make most all meals from scratch.

As of yesterday, I am going to apply for a job at NPPD...that will solve all my money worries.

Somebody tell me where the downturn is. I went out to eat the other night. We had to wait for 20 minutes to get seated. I went to Omaha last weekend and couldn't believe the number of people out shopping and conducting their lives like there was nothing the matter. Went to Walmart on Friday night and the aisles were full of people and I had to park the furthest out that I ever had. If newspapers, media, and government officials would stop feeding the line of how terrible it is out there, this economy would turn around, people who have lost jobs would get them back, and life would go on. And ha-hire me--if you have your MBA or engineering degree or law degree, you should go ahead and apply at NPPD and you might qualify for a decent salary--if not, stop being jealous and move on with you life.

There is very little about their life that I am jealous about, sorry! Please don't try to make it into a war over people being jealous over the outrageous raises received!

The fact of the matter is you have no idea of my educational background. Therefore, making the assumption about it…well you know what they say when you assume.

With economic times the way they are, it is ludicrous for anyone to think that a $20,000 pay raise in 2009 is a sound business decision. I imagine that FORD and GM thought the same thing about their CEO’s receiving plush salaries, just before they had to ask for a bailout.

And, if you really can’t see how the economic turmoil has hit our city…ask around. Many are loosing their jobs, being asked to take a pay cut, loosing hours, and in limbo over their positions because of the economy. Either you are ignorant to the way the world is, or you are trying to act like you are above what is happening. Either way, sorry for you!

The media are the ones promoting this recession. We'd have been out of it by now if they would quit sending everyone into a tizzy about it. Now everyone is too panicky to do anything or to spend any money and that is what is making this recession more of a deal that it ever would have been without the media brainwashing everyone.

What am I doing to cope with the financial downturn?

Let's see, I've merged my two vacations per year into one 365 day vacation.

I have an idea for a money saving tip. Spend less than you earn. It works really really well.

I'm putting every dime I can into the stock market. When it comes back I don't want to miss out.

TO What downturn;

it is spelled "losing", not loosing.


What downturn has one thing right though, the media needs to quit reporting only negative things; of course this has been their way of operating ever since they have been in the business

The liberal media started saying doom and gloom to get Obama elected. Now the conservative media is saying doom and gloom to put a negative light on Obama. I have not saw any downturn both here and Omaha too.

I went back to school full time to work on my degree.

Anyone who feels that they are "stuck", and not doing anything about it are their own worst enemy.

Before times got harder I wanted something I bought it, now weather its food or clothes I now always look for the cheapest item. I then make things last longer like going out to eat, dont finish all of it and take some home for left overs the next day, also eatting at home more also.

About 15 years ago if the unemployment rate was under 6% we were doing well. Now everyone got used to the 3% (which is considered "the job transition rate") and now the media has been saying the economy is going down the tubes in a hand basket!! Heck the Telegram had an article yesterday about 17 people getting layed off in Kearney. Yes, being unemployed or underemployed is a financial burden but as others have put it "there are jobs out there" a person and family have to find something that works for them. On the other hand, this freaking liberal media needs to be punished for the way they sensationalist the down turn in order to get Obama elected. I am going to respect your liberal leader the same way you respected my conservative leader! From now on every problem America has is going to be because of him. The funny thing is, the economy is going to recover in spite of him rather than because of him. However, the guy is going to get the credit from the ignorant liberals and media.

Oh, and by the way - what down turn? Nothing changed for me or my family. I guess that is because when a person has a good education and a job in a good field things like this don't bother ya.

Inverted Hoover Flags, you must work at NPPD....

Me? Employed at NPPD? Think bigger!

I am having the best financial year of my life. I like to kill my own food, that helps in any economy.

Whats all the worry for? I just got a HUGE bonus!

yours truly,
anonymous AIG Exec

My family and I have lived within our means for the last 6 years. So now there is a downturn...it doesn't have much effect on us. I am sure others who did not double morgage there home or buy a huge gas guzzling vehicle to keep up with there nieghbors aren't to worried either. We live in a free market economy (although we might not think so with all the bailouts lately) Businesses who do well in all economic times are places like NPPD, Natural Gas Companies, and health realted busineses. So if they are able to do well...let them give bonuses to people who work to be successful. Most of the people who have leadership roles in these companies deserve what they earn and have educated themselves to be in these positions. Unlike AIG, NPPD is not taking government bailout money, so that is how it is. In a free market economy the businesses (and private citizens) who know how to do well and can produce at a higher level will survive....those who don't...to bad for now. You have three choices: educate yourself, wait for our government to bail you out and destroy our free market or move to China...I hear they are looking for workers.

I for one have cut back. I now only purchase comic book sized news papers.

I would rather not say to keep myself out of trouble with the law.

Smarty Jones
If you need help carrying some of that stuff let me know. I'll bring the truck around back. wink wink

I have a used hot tub for sale. I think. Soon, maybe

Less driving,not eating out as much,no wasteful spending(Obamas promise of line item veto is a great idea if used),holding back on any large item purchase until things look better,looking at refinancing home for better interest rate.Bottom line,USE RESTRAINT and common sense.You really don't need an economic disaster to do this.

I am doing Nothing. Well I am actually taking MORE trips as vacation hot spots are 1/2 the price as in the past. $9.99 for 3 nights in Vegas, including Air was the deal a few weeks back. Only catch was that you had to gamble, go to a show or spend money while you were there. I though that was the idea of going there.

I personally will see about a 10% - 25% increase is salary as I am paid commission and am working that much harder as there is money to be made.

My suggestion, STAY HOME. I will be happy to cash in on some great deals.