Don't shoot the messenger, just a heads up

[FINFAN]

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/10/...these-foods%2F

I started a thread a while back asking if the recession was over in "your" house, the results were almost 2/1 of no...I was also concerned of inflation, groceries in particular going up first, looks like it is a definite possibility, and soon. I guess try to budget now, put an extra $5 a week aside if you have it, to try and ease the pain.

[minniebeth]

The recession is definately not over in our house, in fact, getting worse for us. Certain groceries have indeed come down in price for instance, milk and some dairy, but I have found that prices by us are creeping up again. I have defiantely felt the squeeze with grocery shopping and have worked really hard at budgeting, couponing and cost-cutting recipes that are still nutritious.
It's not easy though.
Not to mention, we've been hit up EVERY which way to donate not only pantry items, but meals, etc. It's getting harder and harder to do this.

[aka-mad4themouse]

Fortunately, we've weathered this part of the recession fairly well. DH's business has not slowed down and with the exception of our health insurance costs, our expenses have not risen since last year.

My concerns are that hyper-inflation will set in soon because of all the money the Treasury Dept. is printing. I've been economizing on the groceries all year and squirreling the savings away because I'm concerned that everything from heating oil to chicken legs is going to skyrocket over the next few years.

So even though our finances are not hurting right now, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm not convinced that this is even halfway over yet.

[luvmy3]

Originally Posted by aka-mad4themouse

Fortunately, we've weathered this part of the recession fairly well. DH's business has not slowed down and with the exception of our health insurance costs, our expenses have not risen since last year.

My concerns are that hyper-inflation will set in soon because of all the money the Treasury Dept. is printing. I've been economizing on the groceries all year and squirreling the savings away because I'm concerned that everything from heating oil to chicken legs is going to skyrocket over the next few years.

So even though our finances are not hurting right now, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm not convinced that this is even halfway over yet.

With hyper-inflation no matter what dh and I put in the bank to save, it will end up being worth much less than what it is. We are looking into other ways to save and invest so hopefully when the other shoe drops, we won't have to save twice as much to make up for inflation.

[patsal]

I can't worry about what I cannot control.

[nuts4wdw]

Very scary for us right now. We had my husband laid off for 4 months, then I was off for 3 months with no pay at the same time, finally my husband found a job but it was a 55% drop in wages. This drained our savings, we have lost 50K income since Feb. I'm back to work, but my job is only part time and due to a multiple reasons I'm not able to find more work (I am working at 2 different parttime jobs right now). So,my youngest son was born very ill and has had multiple hospital stays and many out of town dr. appt adds to expenses and dr. has reccommended "no daycare". My husband is a journeyman plumber and is now making $12 an hour He is going to start delivering pizzas next week to hopefully pay our bills. We built a house 3 years ago (big enough for 6 people) and bought a car last year, things were going well. Now we can't sell the house or rent it (economy is sluggish here), and if we trade the car in we will be upside down so the payment will stay high for a lesser car (we have a minivan). DH drives a clunker, we have no cable, we do not eat out, we pass down clothes or 2nd hand clothes, we are both educated and have "good" jobs. It is frustrating to see who the recession has hit and who it hasn't. The couple next door is an uneducated couple, but have both retained their jobs and seem to be coming out unscathed. It is frustrating and scary. I've never been so scared in my life for my family including my 4 small boys. I hope something comes soon, we are even looking for a job for my dh in a different career out of state. So, if anyone knows of a job for a 32 year old hard working family man that has a trade, pm me. So, absolutely no relief from the recession here.

[Brancaneve]

This is for nuts4wdw:

Remember that most everything is temporary. This too will pass.

[mom of 3G's]

Originally Posted by Brancaneve

This is for nuts4wdw:

Remember that most everything is temporary. This too will pass.

[Piecey]

We've been incredibly lucky that we've not really been hurt by the recession at all. DH got a permanent, better job and I was able to stay home with our son.

I coupon, shop sales and stock up on meats when they are on sale. We have 2-3 weeks worth of meals in the house at any given time. They might not always be the best meals but we won't starve. Always enough to get us to the next paycheck if need be.

This will just make me pay closer attention to sales and try to match it up with coupons whenever possible, thats all.

[Darcy03231]

The recession isn't over at our house. For a while I thought we were going to get by unscathed. Yesterday there was a big meeting at DH's employer and we found out that he's losing his paid holidays, paid vacation and most likely money off his hourly rate -anywhere from $4-$6/hr. He works as a construction foreman in a union and right now his employer pays over rate. In order for the company to be competitive in bidding jobs they are going back to paying rate, which varies per area. Luckily, since his retirement and insurance is paid through the union he isn't losing anything there. The office personnel are non-union and lost their sick days, paid vacation, paid holidays, car allowance, 401k match and now have to pay 1/2 their health insurance. Since the alternative was to be out of work its not as bad as it could be.

[eliza61]

Originally Posted by patsal

I can't worry about what I cannot control.

Well said,
I spent the last 2 years worrying over every thing from A-Z and all I have to show for it are a few extra wrinkles. So now I will do what I have always done:

• spend wisely, while still enjoying the life I live now.
• pray for and try to help any way I can, my fellow neighbors who are facing difficult times whether or not it's from things they did or things outside their control.
• Go to bed at night and thank God for the real blessings in my life and Go to bed and pray for the continue success of our country.

Originally Posted by nuts4wdw

Very scary for us right now. We had my husband laid off for 4 months, then I was off for 3 months with no pay at the same time, finally my husband found a job but it was a 55% drop in wages. This drained our savings, we have lost 50K income since Feb. I'm back to .

Many hugs. I agree with previous posters. "this too shall pass"

[princessmom29]

We have been very lucky. I am a tenured teacher, so there is at leasst soem job security there, and DH is on a massive engineering project that will last at least another 3 years. He has been getting lots of OT lately which I have been saving for a rainy day. At this point I am agreeing with the PP that siad I cannot worry about what I cannot control. I am spending what I need to, saving what i can, and trying to live happy. There is nothing I can do about the "what -ifs" of life other than try to be prepared, but not at the expense of having a little happiness now. I won't spend willy-nilly but nither will I live in fear of what might happen.

[Planogirl]

Food is already so expensive! I can't imagine how those on fixed or low incomes will handle this.

I worry a bit about charities too. Many of them have already seen donations drop and I imagine that it might only become worse. I realize that there's no sense in worrying but still....

[eliza61]

Well we got a bit of good news. Consumer prices only rose 0.1% in September so inflation hasn't kicked in yet.

But I'll feel the pick at the food market also.

[DawnM]

Guess I need to go back to serious coupon clipping.

DH's job seems stable and there are others who will be let go before he will most likely, but he has been told no raise this year and possibly no bonus at all. Fortunately, we live below our means and will be fine on that. Now, if he were to lose his job that would be a different story.

Dawn