I've written checks at a steady pace for two accounts (my business and home accounts) for the last three hours. One of those checks was for our local newspaper, a write off for me, and I came close to just throwing the statement in the trash can. A one year subscription (weekends included) cost me just shy of three hundred dollars. It wasn't all that long ago I'd write the newspaper a yearly check for one eighty.
Our transportation cost has also increased to the point I might ask the wife to walk to work....what's a twelve mile jog gonna hurt a pretty woman, heck, she's young. Between the two of us our monthly fuel bill averages three hundred and fifty dollars. It's ridiculous. And, hey, I don't blame the oil companies. I lay the blame on the government and its asinine regulations.
I cringe when I enter the local market to shop for our weekly groceries. Prior to the current mini-depression I kept monthly records of our food purchases. No longer. Its just too darn depressing.
What's the answer you ask...good question. I don't know. Sure, live frugally. Stay out of debt. Save money. Been there, done that.
My advice. Keep your head down and stay off the radar, because sooner or later the poop is sure to hit the fan and it will be awful.
*****
(edit) click here and read the headlines.
There....my gentle rant and rave for the year is finished.
Take care,
Stephen
Yep, right there with you. I am spared the "home" checks, my version of "sweet wife" is our family accountant. But, I do my own business work - it's been painful to watch. Folks have little memory of the end of Carter - 15% + inflation, gas lines, high food prices . . . . seems like we have it all but the inflation, and that is certainly headed this way. Yep, it's going to be awful . . . .
ReplyDeleteGood point. Perhaps I should have written, 'devaluation of our currency' instead of inflation. Thanks, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain.
ReplyDelete100 miles a day round trip for work.
Picked up a lengthy teaching assignment with Community College to supplement income or lack there of from full time job.
MBWITW works two jobs.
Bought me self one of them there high efficiency cars (2001 Toyota Echo) which helps.
Shop at Aldi's for groceries all the time.
Buy ammo when I can find it on sale and components..
Gun show this weekend, not sure what the prices will be like. But know the atmosphere will be mostly Anti Obama and Government.
Seems to be getting a lot worse...
Seems to me, madd, you've got 'things' under control. Stay the course. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteIf they factored inflation with the same formulas they used on Carter, you'd see it plainly.
ReplyDeleteAlso the size and quantities of our products are shrinking.
Look how fast you go through a roll of toilet paper. Scary, huh?
While some would say that just goes to show how full of "it" I am (That concept has sadly been previously factored in, folks) the actual deal is the bigger cardboard "hole" in the center in some cases. That's inflation.
Matt, I agree. Hard to lie to the thinking public when they shop for sustenance each and every day or week...I've watched my one pound coffee reduced to ounces incrementally. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteOur gas has dropped from a high of $4.19 a month ago, to only $3.83/gallon.
ReplyDeleteFor those of us who blog, it's WAY to late to stay off the radar.
Rev., I meant off the radar as far as income is concerned...without a doubt the .gov has us all pegged..I should know, I was one way back when. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteBut the price of newspapers HAS to go up, Stephen. You don't expect the MSM reporters to ignore stories that actually matter for FREE, do you? :)
ReplyDeleteGood point, my friend....thanks.
DeleteConcur with Rev... We're 'stuck'... Size of 'consumable' products goes down,and the prices STILL go up!
ReplyDeleteIn fact, my friend, the value of our dollar (the fiat currency) goes down...hence, as you well know, we get less and pay more. Damn shame. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteWe have recycled our stuff over and over - bath towels become hand towels which become dish towels which become wash cloths which become rags. Good thing I know how to use a sewing machine.... and I dread the day I have to buy new bath towels!
ReplyDeletePhyllis (N/W Jersey)
See, I knew you were a very intelligent lady...thanks, my dear Phyllis.
DeleteManufacturing seems to have slowed way way down or something, or folks are running their machinery a lot more carefully now. My business has not had a service call since October.Getting tight around here....though I still work a full time job at night, and our sewing and embroidery business is (barely) chugging along, still able to keep head above water.
ReplyDeleteThankfully I have read and paid attention to a lot of bloggers. I mentally may not be totally ready for the heartbreak, but I am better set up to swim through it.
It's same with all us small (in my case, very small) business owners. Mine has dropped by, depending on the week, fifty percent since Zero took office. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteThat's a lot of money for your local mullet wrapper. There's an Okay free local paper that I pick up. It's actually not bad for what it is.
ReplyDeleteMotor fuel runs me $10/week. That's for diesel for the veggie van and gas for my wife's car. Yes, I'm technically breaking regs and laws to run veggie. NH had decided there isn't enough of us to bother chasing down. Would cost more to fine that what the fines would bring.
Good food is a biggie. I could eat cheaper, but I put good food in my medical budget so as not to feel so bad about it.
I know I'm on the radar. My bet right now is that taking me out would cause more trouble than it's worth. Sometimes it pays to have connections.
Yes, Sixbears, it is a lot of money for a daily paper..but I've had this paper reading habit since childhood.
DeleteI love my quality food too.
When I mentioned fly beneath the radar I meant 'income' radar...one foot in, one foot out, so to speak. If you get my drift. Thanks, old friend.