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