What are you most proud of doing to survive this economy?

[Metsfan520]

We don't know that the PP even paid for that vacation - for all we know it was a gift.

I know we all have different ideas about what is appropriate and what's not, but if we can, let's try to keep this thread positive. I really wanted it to be a source of inspiration and pride for people during tough times. We all get so down in the trenches about what we're doing to get by, but it's good to take a moment to recognize that we've made it this far! And if we can make it through this economy by our wits, we can do just about anything.

I'm sorry, but I doubt that many trips were gifts. That much credit card debt makes me think they weren't.

 

[jodifla]

I make a conscious effort to shop in my neighborhood stores that I want to see stay open. So there is a grocery store across the street....it has higher prices, but it's a wonderful convenience to have, as the next grocery store is miles away. So because I want to see that family store stay in business, I make sure I shop there for at least part of my grocery shopping.

My home's value is better if there are NOT a lot of empty stores surrounding it.

 

[Princesca]

Blaming the cc companies for overspending is ridiculous. Everyone pays for freeloaders, and I am tired of it. Maybe I'll go pay for a cruise and buy a bunch of Disney gift cards and then choose not to pay for it.

You don't pay for credit card freeloaders if you don't keep a balance on your credit cards. The only way they can really make other people pay for their bad debt is to raise rates for everyone.

Furthermore, if you don't want to pay for "freeloaders" you probably should opt-out of insurance, too, because the risk pool (and hence your premiums) are increased by people who lead irresponsibly unhealthy lifestyles.

To some degree, sharing responsibility for other people's misdeeds is just a fact of life in a civilization. I agree that we should try to minimize it where we can, but some amount of it is inescapable.

 

[GinnyEmma]

So, is it God who advocates stealing? Or would that be Disney or your family?

 

[Princesca]

I make a conscious effort to shop in my neighborhood stores that I want to see stay open. So there is a grocery store across the street....it has higher prices, but it's a wonderful convenience to have, as the next grocery store is miles away. So because I want to see that family store stay in business, I make sure I shop there for at least part of my grocery shopping.

My home's value is better if there are NOT a lot of empty stores surrounding it.

That's true, and AWESOME! Go go go small local businesses! We opt for eating at local Mom and Pops more more often than our local fast food chains for that very reason, not to mention that the food is usually better.

 

[GinnyEmma]

You don't pay for credit card freeloaders if you don't keep a balance on your credit cards. The only way they can really make other people pay for their bad debt is to raise rates for everyone.

Um, the whole economy suffers when people don't pay their bills.

Justifying it as inevitable is pretty screwed up. Lots of things are invevitable it you choose not to make changes.

 

[beansmom]

my first impulse was to slam the PP for the 'tip' to settle your debts but I will refrain. I think the others have done a fine job of that.

I WILL, however, say that when you settle off a debt, you are sending a torpedo straight to your credit report. It DOES not change that credit line to a positive...it stays a negative and indicates that you did not pay it in full....not something that future creditors view with a happy eye. And maybe lots of people are going 'debt-free' but very few of us can afford to pay cash outright for a home or a new car. I have made every credit mistake possible and now I pay the price for it.

This sort of 'spend it now and not pay it ever' attitude is part of the reason that our economy is in the toilet. And, frankly, I agree...I would certainly be ashamed to tell of it in the bragging way that was done here. People like that make it really hard for those who made mistakes in the past to get the opportunity to start over and do it the right way.

 

[Princesca]

It is literally inevitable. Again... will you be forgoing health insurance? Because there is definitely that moral hazard there - your premiums do go up because of that coworker or neighbor who eats nothing but unhealthy food, chooses to smoke and drink and live a hard life. They pay the same premiums as you do.

That's a fact. So unless we want to decide to toss the very concept of health insurance, which uses pooled risk, out the window, we're stuck with that. Same with auto insurance. Your premiums are subsidizing, in part, the unsafe driving habits of others. Though at least auto insurance does take driving records into account.

When a hurricane hits New Orleans, homeowners premiums go up for everyone, regardless of whether your house was damaged.

It IS inevitable, so long as we make use of products that are based entirely on the risk sharing/risk pool concept.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Comparing a hurricane and the devestation to someone who chose to rack up tens of thousands in debt and not pay a great deal of it is pretty pathetic. Insurance is a wager that we choose to risk. Also a different issue.

 

[LauraLea]

Um, the whole economy suffers when people don't pay their bills.

Justifying it as inevitable is pretty screwed up. Lots of things are invevitable it you choose not to make changes.

Agreed. CC companies make money off their merchants by raising the fees they have to pay to accept credit cards. Guess what the merchants do? Yes, pass the cost on to all consumers by raising the prices on goods.

Laura

 

[SnowWtch]

I've done a few little things. I called my cable company and got a discount for being a long time customer so they reduced my bundle of cable, internet and landline phone by 20% for each service. Then my cell phone died so I was able to join my parents family plan and it now only costs me $17 a month instead of $42 plus I was able to replace my phone with an upgraded one for free. We have no debt other than my student loans and we pay the credit cards off when the bill comes in each month.

DH and I are only living on my salary and have been for 3 years now but I somehow make it work and we are still able to take a few weekends a year to go down to Orlando. It may not be staying on property but at least we're there. Once a year I take the points from my Disney Rewards Visa and we have a special meal at Disney for our anniversary. Things aren't extravagant but we get by. We have a nice apartment and the bills get paid so that's all that really matters. Even with the 3% cut I had recently I'll still find a way to get the bills paid. We have a nice little nest egg from me saving money like tax refunds and money we don't spend on bills. So, I think we'll get by for a little longer.

 

[Princesca]

Comparing a hurricane and the devestation to someone who chose to rack up tens of thousands in debt and not pay a great deal of it is pretty pathetic. Insurance is a wager that we choose to risk. Also a different issue.

Saying that I am comparing a hurricane to defaulting on credit card debt is disingenuous, GinnyEmma, and I think you realize that.

I'm merely using it as an illustration that, when we live in a society, there are times that we accept shared risk. Insurance is a prime example of that risk pool concept.

Believe me, I'm the last person to appreciate people defaulting on debt. It was done to me, to the tune of about $15k. But I dealt with that in the only way I knew how, which was to write it off, plan to take it as a deduction on my taxes, and make the decision to never lend money again that I ever want to see returned to me.

Anyway - I'm mainly just saying that we shouldn't assume things about the PP who is not here to defend themselves. I'd like this thread to get back on a more positive track.

 

[Princesca]

I've done a few little things. I called my cable company and got a discount for being a long time customer so they reduced my bundle of cable, internet and landline phone by 20% for each service. Then my cell phone died so I was able to join my parents family plan and it now only costs me $17 a month instead of $42 plus I was able to replace my phone with an upgraded one for free. We have no debt other than my student loans and we pay the credit cards off when the bill comes in each month.

That's great! The family plan for cell service is a great idea.

 

[punkin]

not divorcing....JK...keeping DD in college, I believe she is on the Houdini financial aid plan.

So true, so true.

 

[Princesca]

Actually, I laughed at the divorce thing at first, but if it is true that 50% of all divorces are caused by money problems and disagreements, then 'avoiding divorce' is way more valid than I originally gave it credit for!

It is nice when you can endure shared crises with your spouse and come out the stronger for it on the other side.

 

[punkin]

Actually, I was agreeing with the Houdini financial aid, but divorce is always bad for the budget. It is much cheaper to live as a couple than as a single (particularly with children).

 

[Diegosmom]

I think my biggest pat on the back is rewards programs. Like I got a southwest cc last year and earned 2 free flights and I just earned another 1 way tix. There is a $59 a year fee but to earn free flights that I would be taking anyway is worth it to me (My entire family lives in Mass so I make at least 1-2 flights a year with DS and a few driving trips as well).

Also doing swagbucks, mypoints, mysurvey, superpoints, mycokerewards, sunshine rewards and signed up our work account with a vendor for 2 seperate rewards programs (bosses couldnt be bother and said I could get whatever we earned, in the beginging they were offering tshirts, sweatshirts and gas cards-bosses have company trucks with gas cards but now the rewards are gift cards for food and soon I will have earned $500 disney gift card).

Love the programs to earn amazon gc for gifts and needed stuff (coffee and vitamin) and the gift cards are great cause DH and I love to go out to eat but it is a total budget kill but with gc we go for free (went out the last 2 fridays at the longhorn for free and will go out this weekend to chillis for free ). Being able to do little things or buy stuff without feeling guilty about spending the money is great.

 

[GinnyEmma]

What I am most proud of in this economy? I don't buy things I can't afford. I pay my bills . I live without until I can justify the cost. I don't take vacations and then expect the cc companies to foot the bill.

I buy locally, eat locally and support our local businesses and farmers.

I am raising my sons to be good stewards. Their tuition comes before dirt bikes or meals out.

 

[The Pluto People]

I just settled with Citibank for 7 grand on a 14 grand credit card debt. Going to do the same with Chase next year for around the same amount, or hopefully even less. My brother and his wife have done the same thing this year, and it has really worked out well for them so far.

I have been a member of the Disboards for a long time. I seldom post however... bragging about not paying the credit card bill you have racked up while taking and planning numerous Disney vacations is just about the most DISGUSTING thing I've read on these boards.

 

[barbeml]

I have been a member of the Disboards for a long time. I seldom post however... bragging about not paying the credit card bill you have racked up while taking and planning numerous Disney vacations is just about the most DISGUSTING thing I've read on these boards.

I rarely comment on such things, but I have to agree, that is disgusting...especially with all kinds of trips (past & future) in that signature.