General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSo what have you had to change or eliminate from your life to survive?
I would love to have an honest talk about how average people (You know us middle class/working poor) have in a sense had to change our way of life just to live in this country that is rewarding the wealthy and corporations and punishing the average person.
I don't want be cruel to those who honestly see the problem who are better off and want to help people like me and probably like you BUT I just think we need to keep the truth in the spotlight.
This past year My husband and I had to live somethimes for a full week on Sandwiches. We gave up on cable because it was way too much. Unfortunately this past 2 weeks I was off work because I was sick and hubby was sick off work for a week.
We had saved some holiday money to get caught up on bills. We did but this bought of illness just put us behind again.
Why is it that in this country it takes so much money just to give yourselves the basics?
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)That seems to help a great deal.
ocd liberal
(407 posts)just sayin'
Hell Hath No Fury
(16,327 posts)to keep the mortgage going.
I have to shop at discount food places. A non-Union Fresh and Easy opened in the neighborhood and I hate it when I have the cross the picket line, but shopping there enables me to eat better than I have in a few years. I was shopping at Target and FoodCo for my food.
Going out to the movies is now a very special treat, concerts are gone, as are trips to the museums/zoo/other cultural events that were so important to me.
There are no new clothes, only thrift store finds.
Weekend drives are out.
My own health care needs are put off because I cannot afford the co-pays or non-insurance covered fees.
I have held onto DISH and HBO -- I couldn't handle being THAT deprived.
It has been very, very tough for me the past few years. No raises, no bonuses, plus I am now helping support my elderly Mom financially.
With costs always going up but my income remaining flat, I'm getting very close to the breaking point.
madmom
(9,681 posts)retired but I am serious about the blood pressure thing (I worked in retail)
tabatha
(18,795 posts)Gave up cable TV in about 2000. Drive less. Shop at KMart. Built a garden for vegetables I hope to get going this year.
Never go to movies. Stopped magazine and newspaper subscriptions about 10 years ago. Rarely, trending to never in the last few years, eat out. Don't buy anything but basic foodstuffs - no wine, beer, etc.
Don't use air conditioning. Buy only shampoo, soap and toothpaste - no other toiletries or makeup.
That is, do with only the basics and don't spend much on gas or other outdoor activities. Keep to just walking for exercise.
While we do very high tech specialized stuff developed with no outside funding, we do not sell enough volume to rake in the $. Recently, because of budget cutting an existing order was cancelled and others are slow to get off the mark. Scary, scary stuff. We cannot afford a Republican. We did best when Clinton was President.
EDIT
Have not been to a dentist in 10 years, and an MD in 6. Also have to financially support my mother.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)I just turned 73 this week and I know these damned cigarettes are killing me. I have tried everything to stop even hypnosis. Nothing works. And don't say to quit cold turkey. I would be climbing the walls.
etherealtruth
(22,165 posts)nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)But, you'll live and get over it. Maybe your doc could prescribe some tranquilizers to get over the first few days.
Nothing will "work." That's up to you. It's gonna suck and be hard, but you'll live -- a lot longer than if you don't stop. Oh, and lay off the alcohol for at least a month. Big trigger.
Response to Justice wanted (Original post)
Obamanaut This message was self-deleted by its author.
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)Nothing major...
undeterred
(34,658 posts)barbtries
(28,811 posts)it's very real. i hope things improve for your family soon.
i gave up living in the land of my birth (SoCAL) and moved to NC in 2007. i'm homesick, so is my son, but we've done much better here economically. he's in college now and i could never have made that happen in LA.
Initech
(100,104 posts)Louisiana1976
(3,962 posts)It was 20 years old and had started costing a lot in repairs. Now I take the bus everywhere and I'm happy to be rid of all the expenses involved in having a car.
I also got rid of cable a few years ago.
Quantess
(27,630 posts)My wage was really lousy and the plan sucked (super high deductible...what's the point?), so it kind of wasn't worth it for a healthy person.