Question for those that live alone Have Gas prices and cost of living forced you to cut back?

Question

Just Curious.

I live alone with 2 cats, I live in Ohio and make about 25K a year. I've been cutting back this last year due to cost of living and gas. I was living beyond my means.

I had 2 cars, I Sold the 94 Buick and the 04 Toyota Camry and got a new Kia Rio. New car with warranty and lower payment then the Camry. paid off credit cards most of the way when I sold my Buick. I may give up my custom license plate on my car and just get the standard one.

I dumped Cable TV and bought an amplfied rabbit ears(and an HD converter box) that was 47$ right there. It was CATV or the internet. I would just go to the library for the net but it is my main form of entertainment so I guess I'll give in on that one.

Cut out cell phone texting(put a blocker on it) and dumped my land line.

Started shopping more at Aldi's for some stuff. Ebayed some stuff and took some stuff to a mens consigment shop that I wasn't wearing.

How about you?

Answer 1

I drive 95 miles round trip to the job 5 days a week.  The car gets 38 mpg by only going 60 on the e-way.   It stays parked on Sat  & Sun.  

Quit dating altogether > women don't seem to want to cover their half of the charges.   Rarely eat out > frozen pizzas every now & then.

Never had a land line since my divorce > cell phone only.  Never text.  Do have cable tv > so don't go to movies very often & only matinees when I do >no concession spending either.

Had to quit running air > fans only.   Keep most of the lights off & use a dimmer switch on most of them. A toaster oven does most of oven work & occasional reheats in the microwave.

Luckily though, gas is down to $3.69 where I live > was up to $4.25 a couple of weeks ago.   Every now & then, I will spend $2 on the lotto> it's a total waste, but you have to play to win.