What does this economy mean for "Us"... ?

[Mother Of Four]

Things I've noticed in our area-

Meat prices skyrocketing.
Staples like flour, sugar, oil, butter, eggs, milk going up as well.
Driving by clothing stores and strip malls that used to be packed, their parking lots looking like ghost towns.
Calling out of curiosity to what used to be the "in" place to go eat to ask about how long the wait is. Used to be 30- 60 mins, now it's "Come on in, we can get you a table."
More people going into civil service jobs- (EMS, Fire, Police, Social Work, Nursing) and also joining the military. When asked 'Why?'..."Job Security"
More people than ever hanging out at hardware stores "Hey, do you need some help around the house?" I can't afford it, and feel terrible when I tell them no.
Back to the local stores, many of them changing hours to close 1-2 hours early because of no customers.

Changes here at home- (We started the food more than a year ago, for health. Now it's not just that but cost as well.)
Almost nothing prepackaged, convenience costs too much.
No cold cereal, oatmeal/muffins/eggs and toast/grits instead.
Three tier meal one night(meat, veg, starch), casserole or soup the next with the leftovers.
Almost no out of home entertainment that costs $. Everything is walks, park, visiting friends or what we can do here at home (games, books, tv etc) Netfl*x is also our best friend now.
Removing as much as we could off internet, and cable without breaking the contract.
Going to allow our cell phones to run into month to month and reducing to one phone we all share. (We have two, with four kids between 12-18)
Diverting heat, and keeping our thermostat at 67.

These are off the top of my head-
I would really like a discussion about this and am hoping this thread doesn't sink. I would love further ideas, and maybe this could help others as well.

[Pale Blue Dot]

1. We desperately need to start working within our communities again.

What I'm discovering, however, is that people aren't going to do that until they realize the extent of the problems. It's very frustrating.

[Mother Of Four]

3. Hubby works in the same town we live-

We live three blocks from the office. I can tell you that it's made a huge difference for us. Many of the other officers commute as far as 35 mins to come to work. DH applied to here, and then we moved to where he works. It lowered vehicle ins costs, wear and tear on the car itself(upkeep) and gas money. Not to mention that since he can come home for lunch, it saves a ton of money each week on food.

[CountAllVotes]

2. it sounds like my late mother's memories of the Depression

I remember asking her if there was a lack of food, etc. during the Great Depression. She told me that in her case, no. The reason was because she was living on a small farm and they grew their own vegetables and raised their own livestock, etc.

HOWEVER, as far as everyone else went, yes, there was still plenty to be had IF you had money to buy things with. If you didn't, and many didn't, it was dire consequences to be had.

How is this any different? Rising food prices, stagnant economy that is contracting? It is worse than stagflation, it is in fact depression.

Inflation never left and will continue to rise IMO.

:kick:

[fasttense]

4. A few more signs of the times:

The pharmacists couldn't fill our 30 day prescription. He could only fill 26 days worth because he didn't have it in stock and had no idea when he would get it in. He said that when he puts his order in, he's lucky to get half of what he ordered. This is Walgreen in a very small rural town (so you got no choice, it's either Walgreen or Wal-Mart).

I can't get some of the more exotic herbs I use to be able to get routinely like caraway seeds and Turmeric.

The winter produce selection at the grocer is very sad.

Hardly anyone was eating at the more expensive restaurants but the bars were very full.

The stock yard was talking about charging us for the manure we take off their hands.

More people buying produce directly from the small farmers (we charge less and have a greenhouse).

[Mother Of Four]

6. The prescription thing is happening here too-

Hubby takes welbutrin, and gets it in 30 day cycles. He called in his script and they said he could only get two weeks at a time.

Thats something to note as well, the ABC store down here still has good business and has been stocking up on things like cheap vodka.

I'm hoping the stands for local farmers will still be available this year, there were very few last year.

One thing I've started doing for my younger friends is teaching them to cook. It's amazing how many 20 somethings have no clue how to make something unless it's out of a box, they were embarrassed at first but then need overcame pride. I'm glad I can contribute that way and help a little. (I'm 38)

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. It makes you wonder what they'll do next to get you to start spending money

on something that you don't need again. I wish I was smart enough to figure out what it will be first.

[Mother Of Four]

7. Me too. nt

[PDJane]

8. I live in an apartment building.

My window faces west. We haven't turned on the heat more than a few hours all winter; even today, when it is -14°C with a wind chill of -23°C. I'm not looking forward to the summer; I may invest in insulating curtains or drapes before the summer arrives, although the new windows have helped some.

Mealtimes here are home-made everything, because, quite frankly, I am diabetic and my body can't afford the toll of convenience any more, especially the ingestion of corn products. We are moving to a vegetarian diet, albeit slowly. We have no pop or drinks in this house; water, tea, coffee or milk. No bottled water, although we do keep a couple of large bottles of distilled water. My mother lives here, and she needs demineralized water to take one of the necessary medications, Fossavance.

I haven't bought paper towels in ages, and toilet paper is the no-shred stuff and it's recycled and bought in quantity. Vinegar and baking soda are the most-used household cleaners and sanitizers here, although we do have green detergent products for dishes and floors. If we could use a laundry line, we would, but there's no place for such a thing, unfortunately.

[Liberal_in_LA]

9. kick