Getting by and not worrying about it

It's been a while since I've posted anything, mostly because I am getting over the whole fear of the recession feeling that motivated me to start this little blog. I'm not afraid anymore because I know we are all suffering through it in our own ways. I'm not alone.

It also helps to not watch the news -- especially regarding the economy, and to remember to make each day the best it can be right now.

Mixing cheap dog food with the good stuff

Ok, I figure my family has been cutting corners to get by and we have reduced our food budget by cooking a turkey on Sunday and then having various leftovers from it throughout the week. Turkey casserole, hot turkey sandwiches, turkey soup.... So, when I saw a huge, inexpensive bag of dog food at Menards, I bought it and we mixed it with the good Iams stuff. Our two chocolate labs haven't complained, and I figure it has saved us $40 a month.

Reusing cotton balls from medicine bottles

Well, I finally did it. Yesterday I bought some multi-vitamins and there was a sizeable cotton ball on top. I was out of cotton when I was taking off my makeup at night; so, yep, I used it. Ok, not a big deal, but I didn't have to drive to the store, and I didn't have to buy cotton balls.... :)

Ok, the stimulus is here, now quit arguing

The stimulus passed, but now the arguments are beginning on how it should be spent. That is defeating the purpose, which is to get money into the economy as quickly as possible by creating jobs. Especially construction jobs, which have a trickle down effect into the economy very quickly. The way I explained it to my sons, who can't find jobs, is once construction workers start working more on the roads, maybe the fast food places, for example, will need to hire more workers.

Here's an easy way to maybe win $318

Ok, the roads in Michigan stink, right. Well, check out www.drivemi.org. They are doing a pothole photo contest. All you have to do is take a picture of the pothole you love to hate, post it on the site, and then vote for your favorites. They are going to pick at least four winners who will each get $318. That's what they figure it costs each Michigan driver in extra vehicle repairs, time lost in congestion, etc. If you ask me, it probably costs even more.

Emotional Impact of the Economy: Hurry Up Stimulus!

Here is a story this morning from CNN that gets into the emotional impacts of the economy. So sad.

Economy Woes Become More Common: Let's Hurry Up with the Stimulus Package

Spent the day yesterday hearing from friends who have adult children who are losing their homes, and a close family member who is filing for bankruptcy. Also, reviewed an in-depth article in our local paper about what to do if you are facing foreclosure.

Job Scams

Well, my college son just spent the weekend displaying pollution control equipment to our friends as part of a new job he found on Craig's List. The idea was supposed to be that he practice his pitch with 10 friends and family members and then the company would give him leads. So far he had to pay them $40, buy a suit, go to three half days of training, then spend the whole weekend doing practice calls and he hasn't earned a dime yet.

By Monday morning (sick from the dust he stirred up in homes displaying the equipment) he decided on his own to quit because it won't allow him enough time to go to school, and he doesn't like preying on friends and family.

He is taking it in stride and moving on to focusing on school and hoping for financial aid to come through for him. But we are thinking about the other folks who can't just quit and have no other jobs to consider until the economy improves.

I don't even see help wanted signs anymore. I bet a lot of places don't put them out, even when they have an opening, because they will be swamped with applications.

Blocking cold drafts

Ok, not cold beer drafts, I mean drafts of cold arctic air blasting through doors. We took old down filled vests this year, wrapped them tightly in old blankets, secured them with duct tape (my favorite home remedy) and blocked our front and back doors with them. We also used blankets that were made to cover couches and they hung perfectly as winter curtains. It is hard to find thick curtains in stores, like Walmart, these days. Our solution was a quick, cheap way out and no one would know the difference.

CNN Video

This is just a test to see if I can embed video. This happens to be an interview with outgoing President George Bush.

Reusing Fast Food Bags

Ok, remember, this is all meant to be slightly comical. But, the other day, after I went to a fast food place to buy just a roast beef sandwich, I looked at the bag it came in and thought: "We are out of lunch bags at home. Might as well save that!" And, I know, an obvious point: I need to start packing lunches.

On the cheap peanut butter cookie recipe

1 egg
1 cup of crunchy peanut butter
1 cup of white sugar

Mix it all together. Roll it in a ball. Roll it in a little sugar. Press onto cookie sheet with a fork.
Cook at 350 for 10 minutes.

You will be amazed! No, it does not require flour. Believe me.

I have not tried it with lowfat or natural peanut butter, or fake eggs, or different sugar.

Introducing Nickel and Diming My Way Through the Recession

I'm not sure what the rest of you out there are doing to get through the recession, but rather than be miserable with less money in my pocket, I am starting to get a kick out of finding ways to save money. Even funny stuff I hear about (like using cotton balls out of medicine bottles to remove makeup) somehow cheers me up after seeing my 401K tank, or adding up the true cost of helping my two sons through college, and living through other financial problems.

I'd love to hear your ideas, even if you just think they are cool ideas, but you would never try them yourself (like the cotton ball idea).

I know no matter how bad it gets for me and my family, there is always someone out there who is hurting even more, which is unfortunate. So, as I whine on this blog about day to day things I and other middle-class suburban working people are doing to get by, I apologize in advance to anyone in even dire circumstances.