Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Please share how the current economy has effected you and yours.

I know many are hurting and pray God's care on us all.

The sharp drop in fuel prices has been a welcome blessing for me and my business.

Also, I feel very fortunate my small business has flourished in part because of the economic turmoil.

Alternate heat sources, peace of mind and self-sufficiency are all in premium demand in economic uncertainty.

I pray God shields us and keeps us all in His care.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

It has not touched us personally, we saw it coming, got out dept over 12 years ago, have have stay out, we own everything out right. That has saved us from whats going on now.
Now for my adult children 18- 23 the future looks grim, but we have set aside enough for them as well, any potential mate/ kids that might come on broad in near future. Good thing I love my kids ...;)

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

We've lost money out of our 401K.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

We are doing okay. But you know, money comes and money goes. We are still here. Home and land paid for. Not going to bed hungry. A car or two almost paid off. Hoping retirement treats us well. And no credit card debt.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Our retirement funds and Zac's college funds have dropped severely, but as far as anything else, we've been fine. We're still investing heavily, since now is the time to buy. Fortunately, we don't owe anything except mortgage.

So far, the giving at the churches has held secure. A man from another church here in town indicated to me that their giving was really "off", so I'm thankful that hasn't happened to us. We need to build RIGHT NOW, but we are putting it off for a few months to see what happens.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

My 401(k) dropped significantly, but hoping since I have several years to continue working that it will rebound in time.

I have paid off all my credit cards and won't be using them again.

I watch what I spend now, when before I pretty well bought what I wanted.

I'm cutting back on the amount that I spend this Christmas.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

No 401k here, but our IRAs dropped. I am trying not to think about that and continue to fund them.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

We lost a large amount out of the 401K.

The only debt we have is our daughter's car payment since she was laid off from her job, and our regular monthly household bills. There were a few medical bills left over from my husband's surgery in July- but God blessed us greatly by the hospital reducing the bill by 75% and letting me make small payments on what's left.

I am a bargain shopper, so I rarely spend a large amount at Christmas anyway but I get great values for my money. For example, the $49.98 DVD set for my daughters for $9.99. (See deal posted in shopping mall area) :D However, this year-- many homemade from the heart gifts will be given rather than purchased gifts.

I got a job-- which was supposed to have been full time, which was cut to part time two weeks after I started work. They say my hours will pick up to full time again in Jan. I pray that they do....

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

I forgot to say that we are eating at home a lot more in the evenings. We still eat lunch out nearly every day, but we are eating at home at night. I really love to cook; our lifestyle is just so crazy I haven't been able to do it like I want to. But we are seeing more money saved now that we have cut back on the restaurant bills!!

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Eating out less,
Traveling less,
Retirement savings has dropped
Budgeting more

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Hasn't really affected us much. Offerings have held steady and maybe even increased. Our lifestyle is fairly frugal as well. We don't have a lot of debt so we're pretty much OK. :D

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Not at all. My Father is very rich!

2 Cor 8:9
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich , yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich .

Eph 1:18-23
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Phil 4:19-20
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

My income is down 90% as our core business is directly tied to consumer spending/confidence and my expenses are up 30% due to higher energy and food costs. I couldn't afford to continue paying my health insurance premiums cuz they went way up too. All my savings is gone. I'm not accountant or math major but I can do that math and know it's not good. Can anybody say Chap 7? Viva Bush, Greenspan, and Paulson, the blasted trinity!

Our church is suffering as well. Many people losing jobs, over 20 famiilies have lost their homes, others have had their businesses collapse, the churche's income down about 30% so far this year. They've cut expenses drastically and not replaced two paid staff who have left and a pay cut is on the table for '09 for remaining staff.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Ouch!! Sorry to hear all of that!! What part of the country are you in?

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

That's about the worst economic story I've heard so far. Praying for you and your church.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Sorry to hear this. Praying for you and your church right now! Will continue to lift you up in prayer. Sadly there are probably many churches getting hit hard. Pray that God will move in a mighty way, and restore you.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Northern California.

Thanks for the kind thoughts and prayers.

All of this is one of the reasons I've been so grouchy and not so enamored with GWB and the Republicans on this board. I don't know what kind of change Obama will bring but what we've had sucks so bad that I'm ready for some change I can believe in. What happens in trickle down economics when the trickle stops?

Incidentally, there are several large, established churches in our town (1500-2000) people who are in grave danger of losing their buildings because they cannot make the mortgage payment and pay the light bill (the electric rates in our town DOUBLED over the summer).

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

A POMO - WOW - Had no idea you were having it so rough. May Jehovah Jireh supply all your needs!

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

My 401K is the worst, loosing over 25k just the last two months. Hopefully it will all come back.

I think things will become more bleak before it turns around, hope I am wrong on that.

I deliver and service elec power chairs. That has held steady, but my building maintenance business has slowed down some.

I feel fortunate to be debt free except for a small bit left on a very affordable mortgage.

Giving in our church has been doing OK too.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

POMO, I am sorry about your hardships. I think your anger of the "trinity" is misdirected - but nevermind that - your struggles are real and our sympathy goes out to you.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

I've been feeling it will get worse before it gets better too. This generation basically hasn't felt a real crunch in a national way. It seems to happen to each generation at some point. I could be wrong.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

I have a neighbor that has been telling me it's going to get a lot worse. He even told me I better start reading websites telling how to survive by living off the land-- learn which plants are safe to eat, etc. He has a huge stockpile of stuff like you wouldn't believe....

I thought I was bad about stockpiling stuff when I found it on sale. This guy could probably survive several years on what he already has-- and he's still buying up stuff.

I'm just trying to get some extra supplies put away in case of a winter storm. Winter storms in the south aren't fun. We have to live a couple of weeks while power is restored because of tree limbs breaking power lines in remote locations. According to the persimmon seed forecast for winter, we're in for lots of snow. :D

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

My family and I don't eat out as much.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

We haven't had the heart to look at our 401k yet, but we have many, many more working years ahead of us thankfully. I got a full-time job (but because of our disaster in Chicago it would have been necessary regardless of the economy.) and we bought a cheap older Honda to save on gas. Other than that, we are doing well...we only owe on our home.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Eating out less. We are only going to give our grown kids some money this year for Christmas. We arn't going to purchase gifts for each other or extended family. We are also considering dropping our health insurance. It is costing us $500.00 per month with a $10,000.00 ded.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

I started ordering the 9 oz center cut sirloin at restaurants instead of the 12....

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

My above comment not withstanding, this is excellent advice. It is amazing how much a person can save by eating more at home (and still eating well!).

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

you can get several bags of groceries for the price of two people eating out.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

well, that depends. if you go to the cheap mexican places and share a combo meal you can feed a family of four for about $15 (tax and tip included). :)

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Woo Hoo maybe my hubby and I can go and split a combo meal pretty soon!:ursofunny

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

We stopped eating out as much.

I have made some other changes.

But with gas in some weird way is not $1.99 pg.

It now cost $30.00 to fill my tank and not $60.00.

So we fet a chance to go out to each more.

I think China has put pressure on the middle east.

We now all have more money for the holidays.

When American billions worth of toys made in China...

Come Spring watch it will go back up.....

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

I am drinking two shots of espresso instead of four....



NOT!! :)

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

If it is Starbucks that saves you $8.00 a day...

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

I don't think this thread is the right place to be humorous granted it's a sensitive topic but I do have good news:

I saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

So far all is going pretty well. We felt the Lord leading us to make some serious changes 2 or 3 years ago and we began searching for a house with a little land VERY cheap.

We found a 3 bedroom house on 3 acres for $10000
We refinanced our van and paid cash at closing.
We have recently sold our other house releasing us of about $1000 or so per month.

We are using that to continue to pay down debt headed for debt free as fast as we can.

We have a garden, chickens and are working to make our land ready for goats & sheep.

I have priced having a water well drilled and it is too expensive so I am looking into doing it myself.

So... on a personal level.... we are doing well... but we are still moving at a very fast pace to make ourselves more ready for what is coming.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

A-PoMo, I can truly say that I feel your pain. My numbers are similiar to yours. Not quite as bad yet, but if God doesn't intervene quickly, it is actually in the works to be a higher percentage than what you have experienced.

I am praying for you!

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Do you mind me asking how many acres you have? I will tell you that even chicken feed isn't cheap anymore. And the electric pump on our water well went out, it is very expensive to replace. So we are hooked back up to community water. With 3 families together our water bill is about $100 a month.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

We have 3 acres.

We do supplement our chickens food supply but they are free range chickens and eat mostly in the field & woods (although they seem to really enjoy my mustard greens of late grrrrrr :) )

We are hoping to drill a well that will give us water we can use but if we can at least get one with good enough water for the garden & the animals it will help. We would also like to have a solar setup for the pump with a solar cell & battery running a DC powered pump that way we will have water of some sort even if we don't have electricity.

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Thanks Tamor, and to all who have expressed concern. I do appreciate it.

Tamor, I will be praying for you too. It's not fun, that's for sure.

At this point my only real option is to do the Chap 7 (I can't afford the payment required for Chap 13) pack up my stuff and move back East and start over, and wiser for it. It's something I've been wanting to do for quite awhile; most of the last 20 years. So, this is an opportunity of sorts in that regard cuz it seemed that something always prevented us from moving before.

On one level though, I am happy this his happening. Like D4T, over the last couple of years I have been feeling a real leading toward living more simply and this is forcing us to do that, which is a good thing. If I am my spirit and my wife is my flesh then in terms of this idea the spirit has been willing but the flesh has been weak. :) In some respects it's been tougher on her than me. Toward the goal of moving next summer I have been selling stuff on craigslist and getting rid of stuff, which is good.

Anybody want to buy a '74 Jag XJ6 w/the Chevy conversion already done? I'll make you a great deal! I have a Little Tikes Choo Choo bed too if you want! :)

Re: Economy - How has it effected you?
 

Sounds great, let me know how the well works out. We use our chickens for eggs, and our goats for lawn mowers right now. This is our second try with goats, we have 3 right now.