Thanks for voting!Whether it’s a recent change in income, job uncertainty, an addition to the family, or something else, you’ve probably had to cut some expenses lately. Or are about to. Making the decision to do so isn’t that hard, figuring out the “extras” vs. the “must-haves” is. And it’s different for everyone. We recently conducted a survey to find out just what people are willing/not willing to sacrifice in the name of saving money. Not surprisingly, Americans won’t give up their cars, pets, homes and food, no matter what their financial situation. But what about the other expenses? The ones that make life more convenient, more fun or more interesting? Push comes to shove, what’s untouchable on your list? What do you refuse to live without?
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In addition to the car, pets, home, and food that others mentioned, I would have to add for my family internet access. Not only does my home-based business depend on it to communicate with and access clients, we get a good portion of our entertainment with it and use it for staying in contact with family that is 450+ miles away. Even the car and pets would go before we would give up our internet access!
My cars & my spending on my cars is something I refuse to compromise on. I’ll eat ramen noodles everyday and drink nothing but water before I give up any of my three girls, or their modifications.
I also like my car events, so I want to actually step up spending on that… Travel is important to me.
I have to agree with James, I won’t give up my high-speed internet. I would consider downgrading to DSL, but never again could I go to dial-up or be without.
Sorry to disagree. James and Curt. Internet access is not must-haves. You can also go to library, other free internet locations to access them if push come shove. It not something threatens your existence. I know it depends each person. I am just sharing my thought. WHats important to one person won’t be important to other. So don’t take me wrong.
In my opinion, it impossible to live without communication phone or cell phone not iphone. It let you take interviews, connect with friends and family, communicate during emergency. So phone is a must.
We recently went through this exercise at my house when I thought we were losing an income. DSL stayed, because we both have side freelance gigs — you can’t do that from the library! We kept our cell phones (no landline phones), but we called the cell phone company and got rates not available on their website (you should try that too). And we kept Netflix. We don’t have TV, and I figured if we weren’t going to have social lives, $17/month wasn’t going to make or break us, and it would have kept our sanity! Luckily, this exercise was in vain, but we were prepared!
We went through the cost cutting and survived.
We cut down our phone service to basic local no extras. We contemplated eliminating it, but
We cut our cell phone minutes to bare minimum and used cell for long distance after 9:00 pm.
We don’t have cable, so that wasn’t a loss. We began to check out movies from the library instead of renting (I also stopped my book buying habit-which leaves less clutter in the house).
We eat at home, every day and have many budget meals. I cook and don’t use “convenience foods” so we could easily eat on the cheap (If we spent $10 on a meal it was a special occasion!)
We kept internet, the cheapest DSL we could get because job hunting, freelance work and other communication depended on it. Sure, you can get internet at the library, but only for 20 minutes at a time and you don’t have the software for projects.
We stopped using both cars. We still haven’t sold the car, but found that only using one cut down on unnecessary trips and expenses.
We had friends over instead of going out and asked them to bring the alcohol. I can make a great meal for 10 people for $25 -$35 if I am not buying booze
As a Resource Officer, I often help people to obtain whatever it is that they might need to help themselves start a business, keep it running and help that business survive through whatever challenges that will come up during the course of that business’ Life. Examining your question with this point of view leads me back to my thoughts and planning for a disastrous event such as the Katrina Hurricane and it’s devastating landfall on the city of New Orleans…
You must examine each and every expenditure with the eyes of an a Accountant– Don’t fool yourself into thinking that all of your “Spends” are a bad thing… especially those that will lead to some sort of actual “Profit” in the near future.
For example, if I decide to use candle lamps, cut out TV and set my refrigerator to run for only 6 to 8 hours a day, I would probably save quite a bit of money over a couple of months. Now, what will I do with this money?
We must look at the “Needs” that pertain to our own personal Lives. I value education above any and all other stuff, because if you are smart enough to think and act for yourself, you can survive damn near anything that might happen.
I totally agree with James, Curt, Liisa and Karen. Having high-speed or DSL internet is essential in this almost second decade of the 21st century. In Portland, OR, where we live, you can only access the web at the local library for a maximum of an hour per day. Coupled with security concerns because of public access, it is almost a no brainer to have personal access to a computer and the world wide web. I can hardly wait for the day when every U.S. household is empowered with a PC and internet access. I believe, it will truly revolutionize our society. On the economic side, the web can be used to consolidate entertainment, communication and resource services whereas prior to the mid 90’s, you would have to still visit the local video store/have cable access, have a landline/cell phone and go to the library or other events. Just this past spring, for example, while my wife was watching our one tv, I was streaming the March Madness tournments online, complete with commentary. What a life and money saver.
Assuming drastic measures were called for; the dog and cat stay (they can be used for food. Just joking… about the food part), one car can go, and—this is blasphemy I know—but the internet/cable TV can take flight; with a certain satisfaction of telling the cable company to “Bite Me!”. Assuming no drastic measures necessary, then conservation is the game… well that’s the game anyway.
not one person indicated contributions as essential?! i hope i don’t sound sanctimonious when i point out that we are darn lucky to be living where we do, and we should not neglect our stewardship duties.