tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572782299239196917.post442612181709441953..comments2023-10-31T01:51:07.386-07:00Comments on Plastic Bubble World: Tightening the BeltPeter Varvelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04521795044554538286noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572782299239196917.post-83343247376887526982010-04-14T10:20:53.664-07:002010-04-14T10:20:53.664-07:00You can't forsake Sizzler!!!!!You can't forsake Sizzler!!!!!Prince Gomolvilashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09379935946319015969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572782299239196917.post-66990761694272341372010-04-10T15:32:17.534-07:002010-04-10T15:32:17.534-07:00Peter, not to take this conversation in a totally ...Peter, not to take this conversation in a totally different direction, but this additional 40% paycut sounds *really* steep. If DP works in the public sector, this cannot happen without negotiations. So it would take a while. If he works for a private company, then it sounds like they are trying to find a way to cut employees back to part-time status, perhaps to avoid paying benefits. Lots of businesses right now are looking for ways to game themselves out of the new health care reform requirements, for example. Even if that's not the reason, this huge cut sounds like the company is angling for something else. I hope DP can get some more info before it happens.<br /><br />Regarding ways to cut back, here is what we've been doing:<br />*hang our laundry to dry instead of using the dryer (the added benefit is that our clothes last longer, too!)<br />*never use the heater or air conditioner. Open a window, use a fan, put on a sweater instead.<br />*unplug appliances when they are not in use.<br />*pay off our debt before the cuts took effect. In effect it was like taking a smaller pay cut, because the payments were replaced with a reduced income.<br />*walk wherever we can.<br />*coupons, groupons, etc.<br /><br />I wish you well, my purple friend!Lion's Cubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03642211092711080676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572782299239196917.post-54167863409937791382010-04-08T18:13:32.376-07:002010-04-08T18:13:32.376-07:00We are both working now, but at a fraction of our ...We are both working now, but at a fraction of our old incomes. <br /><br />Here's what else: <br />1. No manicure if I don't sell an article. Which means sometimes my nails look like hell. <br />2. We tested both our cars and when we found out mine had lower gas mileage, that was the one we sold. We carpool now. <br />3. We ditched the cell phones and kept the land line. The bundle, which includes our cable and internet, makes it worth it. <br />4. I drink purified tap water instead of bottled water.<br />5. Staycation instead of vacation.<br />6. Coupons. Vouchers. Discounts.<br />7. Freegrabber.com. Free Suave shampoo is free.golfwidowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05814109136049807372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572782299239196917.post-52580622395613994132010-04-07T18:57:33.192-07:002010-04-07T18:57:33.192-07:00Last year was a rough one for us in terms of finan...Last year was a rough one for us in terms of finance. Besides the obvious of eating out less, shopping at Aldi, going on a staycation, we taught ourselves some new skills like gardening, preserving food, going to farmer's markets and things like that. <br />Over all, it was scary and sometimes still is. My thoughts are with you.Mr. Macabrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14885918409138932986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572782299239196917.post-66563650974898204752010-04-07T11:18:51.004-07:002010-04-07T11:18:51.004-07:00Keep the landline, ditch the cellphones.Keep the landline, ditch the cellphones.Michael DeAntoniohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03169068150131094249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6572782299239196917.post-26094234183148637272010-04-07T09:23:38.696-07:002010-04-07T09:23:38.696-07:00The year the gas was so high, I started riding my ...The year the gas was so high, I started riding my bike to work once/week (50 miles r/t). It saved me just under a tank of gas per month (and cut down the weight a bit!). Don't you have a Vespa though? You might try driving that more or cycling.<br /><br />You guys might also want to revisit your insurance on the house, car, etc. Maybe you can up your deductible in order to save a bit.<br /><br />Good luck. It's a scary place to be.<br /><br />The vision of you go-go dancing got me to grin, Peter. You nut!KKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10123747405182033994noreply@blogger.com