Surviving the coming economic crunch

[4sanity]

There are many informative threads on this board lately that are frankly way over my head concerning the state of our economy. So for those of you who,like myself,may be confused and overwhelmed by the numbers, let me boil it all down for you. It is really quite simple. Our country is on a collision course with reality. Sooner or later the bills we are running up are going to have to be paid...by all of us. And it is going to hurt like hell. How are we all going to make it through? I have posted in the past some of the steps my wife and I have taken so we don't find ourselves in the soup line. What I am asking from our good friends here at DU is for your suggestions as well. Let's quit the hand-wringing and get serious. Thanks in advance to all who respond.

[Deja Q]

1. Most of us don't. We can't.

Where we want to go from there is another matter.

But wasn't it Shakespeare who once said that any civilization is just 3 meals away from revolt? (I'm hardly bright enough to conjure up that line, but it has the ring of truth to it. The poor in our society tend to be more violent. Now add into the poor the ex-middle class and wince.)

[mhr]

2. "The poor in our society tend to be more violent"

Disagree completely!

The poor in our society tend to be more frustrated. They have been living closer to the edge for much longer.

I can sympathize with them completely now being unemployed for 61 months.

If the opportunity to defend myself from the Freeper hordes presented itself, I would not hesitate to protect the last thing I have - my life.

There would be no Boo-Hoo for a few mangled Freepers that voted this idiot into office.

[gizmo1979]

4. 61 months man

that is bad.How have you survived,and if you need any help with those freepers you let me know!

[mhr]

5. No Mortgage, No CC Debt, No Car Payment, No Wife, No Kids

No Girlfriend, and plenty of inexpensive living.

I have downsized my life to 800 sq ft and have sold most of my possessions in the process.

To date I have over 3,000 resumes out the door and have had only five interviews In the last 3 years.

The economy is not buying mature white males any longer. We have become simply refuse to be swept away with the tide.

[gizmo1979]

9. I feel for you

That's just horrible.Maybe something will come along,I sure wish you luck!

[isit2008yet]

6. A tax cut now, is a tax increase down the road...

Greenspan said that this nation could not produce enough to out grow this deficit and that a combination of tax increases and decrease in spending were the only ways to fix the stinking deficit that is wrecking havoc on the stock market. Well, that and inflation coupled with rising gas prices is causing the Dow to tank. So put that in your stinking private accounts and see just how much you lose in your retirement fund...your certainly not going to gain any profits when you listen to the Dumbass Commander in Chief when it comes to "fixing" SS. Not only does his plan mortgage future retirement to the tune of 5 trillion but it will also burden the children even more so with even bigger future tax increases to fix the idiot's economic policy and SS.

This freaking idiot has completely trashed the economy, with the help of Alan, "I'll say anything you want to hear," Greenspan. This so called "soft patch" is just a prelude to a huge recession. Stop all excessive spending and save for that proverbial rainy day 'cause it's just around the corner. If you have a variable rate home loan, now is the time to seek a fixed loan to avoid higher monthly payments down the road. Some estimate that your $150K variable rate loan could cost you another $200 a month by September... if the fed continues to raise rates. Your credit card rates will increase costing you another $100; inflation increases clothing and food, add another $100 a month; gas tops out at $3.50 per gallon, add another $50.00. How many of you can afford an additional cost of $450 dollars to meet your month to month living expenses?
Better get that emergency fund in order...your going to need it!!!

[kineneb]

7. Yo, some of us not making it now - save?

Having joined the working poor, saving is not possible. In fact, to get health care, it is not allowed anyway. So I am working on a garden, have a chicken, try to be frugal, and am going to go for bankruptcy. Oh, and have several bicycles.

[firefox]

3. planted walnut and cherry trees today

One thing everyone needs to protect is their health. Our food system is killing us with processed foods and fruits and vegetables picked while green to avoid spoilage. Picking while green deprives the food of the injection of the good stuff the plant had kept for the final days.

Today I planted a walnut tree and 3 cherry trees. I am going to plant some tomatoes and green pepper in just a few minutes. Being frugal is one thing, but protecting your health is like priceless. Once the garden is in, it will be worm time for making some good soil for some square foot gardening.

I am going to germinate some Granny Smith apples and I have found a mulberry seedling and some peach seedlings. I am going to order some wormwood seeds and plant them. I have also found a chestnut tree from which I will germinate a plant. Save money and get fresh fruit and vegetables without the poisons.

I probably will cut down some oaks tomorrow as I need to grow food instead of oaks that yield only leaves.

[OneBlueSky]

8. admirable . . . but don't walnut trees take years to bear fruit? . . . n/t

.

[Kazak]

10. Pay off all your debt, and never carry a balance.

That's how.

Edit: Also, soon it will be important to be able to make your living near where you live.