So I guess we really are in a depression—everyone’s saying so. At least ten times a day, I hear the phrase “these economic times.” (I pronounce it “eek-onomic,” just for the record. It’s the Eee-conomy, and these times are eek-onomically difficult.)
Not enough of this stuff, I guess. Image from here.
A lot of people are losing their jobs and finding it necessary to cut back on their spending. Cutting back is probably a good idea, all things considered.
So far, Poor Kyle and I haven’t really felt many repercussions of These Hard Economic Times (knock on wood); we’ve been poor for a lot longer than this depression has been around, so we’re accustomed to the discomfort of a BUDGET. Of course, I use the term “poor” in a relative sense—a lot of people have it worse than we do, and many have it better. I consider myself poor because I am not rich—that makes me an economic pessimist, I suppose. I also consider myself poor because I do not contribute any money to our household, and therefore I feel guilty any time I want to spend money on my hair or paint for the kitchen or a new pair of jeans. In my head, “rich” equals “buying new jeans and not feeling defensive about it.” Someday…
Until that day, or until I start making money of my own, it’s ripped jeans for me. Poor me.
For now, however, we’re trying to cut back, perhaps even more than before. According to news reporters and economic advisors, Poor Kyle is just a natural disaster away from losing his job, and we’re all going to die. So we’re trying to be prepared. Still, as I go about my shopping, I take particular notice of things I won’t skimp on just to save money.
It’s always interesting to see what people will refuse to skimp on. A lot of people say there are some things they simply will never cut out of their lives, but I think if times got hard enough, they would go without a lot more than they realise.
For example, Jordan Ferney from Oh Happy Day {adorbale blog, by the way, and updated almost daily}, has recently announced that “there are a few things [she] refuses to skimp on:”
1. Cut flowers or plants in the house
2. Fresh unprocessed food
3. Good quality shoes
Oh, really? That’s nice, Jordan Ferney, because at my richest of times I don’t buy cut flowers, fresh unprocessed foods, or good quality shoes. Then again, Jordan Ferney is a lady who buys imported German crépe paper for her parties—I’m pretty sure Jordan and I are on two completely different planes.
When I’m trying to cut back, here are three things I have—so far—refused to skimp on:
1. House payment.
2. Toilet paper. Not that I always buy the soft kind, but the fact that I always buy toilet paper, period. Hopefully I will always be able to afford a Costco™ pack of Kirkland™ toilet paper every six months. When the time comes that I am wiping my bum with a rag that will be washed and reused, I might as well just buy a shotgun and head for the hills; that’s no way to live.
3. Air. I always breathe as much as I possibly can. It’s free—that’s a great value, as far as I’m concerned.
So there you have it: I’m willing to skimp on pretty much anything, if times get dire enough. Luckily, they haven’t (yet).
What about you? Are you feeling the sting of These Hard Economic Times? What do you/don’t you skimp on?
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