For the first time in my life we're find it hard to make ends meet....

Another link ^ | 9/12/2024 | Me

[mikelets456]

I didn't know how to post without having a link so I apologize. I have to be honest, for most of my life (in sales), the harder I worked, generally the more money I made....more on that later. We are savers---putting in 401K, stocks, mutual funds, some precious metals, have property. We had no debt (except our mortgage----2.3% and under $100K). Recently we had a few things---our son's wedding, property taxes (up another $800 this year) car tires needing to be replaced, air conditioner crapped out, cost of food, gas, utilities, etc. We ALWAYS pay off any debt immediately but now finding it harder and harder....I actually got a credit card with 0% interest for 15 months just to give us some breathing room.

Back to work---I have been at this company for 38 years. Have been in the top 3 in sales every single year. The past several years we had layoffs, are on 4 day work weeks (20% less pay) and our sales are off literally 50%.

We have had some rough times in the past but this is, by far, the worst----and it gets even darker---I see no end to this downward spiral. In past times, there was always a light at the end of the tunnel. However, I don't even see a tunnel to find the light.

I know our entire industry (manufacturing---Chemical, plastics and oils companies) are all complaining and not spending any money. I don't get political with customers but they're all stating "They're waiting for the elections before initiating projects".

My question is---are any of you, or people you know going through this as well? If Kamala gets in there I don't know how we can survive if we continue in this direction....

[ladyjane]

I work 3 jobs, but don’t do anything I don’t wanna do.

Good advice.

Anybody who is paying more than 5% interest on their credit card is losing money. Just stop spending.

[P.O.E.]

Here’s what I see when I travel around:

Diner & restaurant parking lots with only a few cars in the lot, limited hours.
Empty office buildings or storefronts with for sale or for lease signs.

On the other hand, I see people on the streets all hours of the day with nothing to do except talk on their phones (loudly), walk around with their earbuds, drive around with their stereos blasting, etc.

[Lurker]

That’s odd. The slaughterhouse just west of Chicago is building a huge addition to increase their capacity to 1,300 head a day.

L

[Ann Archy]

Democrats are LAW-LESS because Republicans are BALL-LESS!

[EBH]

Back early spring I realized things were about to turn knarly. I prayed to God for wisdom to see me through.

As harsh as it sounds the good Lord laid two pets into severe illness and called them home. Still it required hefty veterinarian bills, but the good Lord saw to those too. Now the pet budget is whittled down to under $50 per month.

Next was the old car failed and needed a new one. Again, the good Lord cleared a path forward to make that happen.

Now, I had a tap on the shoulder from the good Lord in the form of a minor roof leak. I have been getting roofing bids for either repairs or replace. The roof is 30+ years old and I have one bid that seems appropriate and the Lord is tugging me in that direction.

Lastly, the good Lord pointed me in a new direction to start a side hustle I can do from home. Within the month I will be starting my virtual bookkeeping business in partnership with Quickbooks Online. And while it seems contrary as business bankruptcy is up 44%, new businesses will be started over the course of the crash. I started my business during the GFC and it has done very well. Again I know the positioning for this second business is just about right with the good Lord’s blessing.

So some things when you pray, the good Lord needs to clear away and help you make room for His blessing. You have to be willing to hear Him and the Holy Spirit’s encouragement.

Can I afford the new roof today? Not quite, but with adjustments to the business cash flow, I can get it done before the snow flies here. I know it will be a very tight budget for a few months, but this is where I have to trust the good Lord. He’s given me the tools needed. My advantage comes from the Lord.

Amen.

[Leep]

I’ve been on.. what I call..the unintentional inflammation diet.
Needed to lose a few pounds but wasn’t really trying.
Anyhow, I ate more cheaper foods (there are still cheaper foods) but still reasonably healthy.
pasta,lentils,potatosbeans, can tuna,chicken.
Buying some food was like playing the Stock Market. Buy low don’t buy high.
I will not buy eggs for more than $2/doz.
Egg prices particularly p me off..cause I used to easily eat a dozen eggs a week..sometimes more.
The sad part is most really don’t save enough to combat the cost of housing..maintain an automobile.. especially the cost of gas.
The only way to cut cost is to drive less and plan your stops.
Now I know what the old timers were grumping about how much better it was back in the day when you buy a house for less than 10k or a used car for several hundred dollars.
Sure you made $30 for a days labor..but you could also rent a room for that.
And you could maintain a car for around $30 a week. And you could sock away $30-90.
Sorry, don’t really have any good solutions.
Other than save where you can and just ride it out. Think that’s where a lot of people are.
It’s sad our own fake government representatives got us here. At least they are quite comfortable and unaffected. And isn’t the real reason we work and pay taxes so a handful of government hacks can live comfortable lives?