What changes have you made due to credit crunch?

Question

We are trying to save money where possible, like travelling up to northern ireland to buy food as it is as cheap as england there! When we go out now we are looking at prices a lot more than before! We have four kids, all going back to school in sept! We have to buy all their text books here too! Thanks

Answer 1

I don't heat my house anymore and I hardly eat

I stay in everyday hungry and cold wrapped in blankets hoping that the next winter will be a mild one

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

Answer 2

Making fewer trips out for errands- combining them in one day..

Buying more "store" brands rather than name brands...

Not eating out at restaurants...

Buying in "bulk" (like at Cosco) for paper towels, etc...

I stopped having my hair colored at the salon (have let it go to it's natural gray)...

Using paper goods instead of plates, etc, to save on water bill..

Clipping coupons and trading with people I work with...

These are but a few of the ways we have tried to cut back...

Answer 3

My husband and I paid off our credit card debt a couple months ago and we are not going into debt again.

We're simply living within our means even if that means going without luxuries.

Answer 4

none but the word credit-crunch is going in the dictionary :D

Answer 5

focusing on the piroites and getting cheaper economy branded food it tastes the same but alot cheaper.

Answer 6

We are going out less and having potlucks when our friends come over instead of providing all the food.  Both my husband and I have also picked up some freelance work over and above our jobs.

Answer 7

We only shop the cheaper clothing stores or goodwill, and we don't get cable.  At all.  We only drive one car, and I am involved in dental studies and babysitting to help out (I stay home with our three kids).  We homeschool (Indiana makes you pay for textbooks anyway, so I figure I might as well just buy my own rather than renting them), and we nearly never eat out, go to the movies, etc.  We get our baby items and diapers from a rewards program in our neighborhood that lets you earn free stuff for taking your kids to the doctor, getting their shots, and educating yourself as a parent through different classes and groups.  If only we could find a way to outsmart the gas prices, we'd be okay.  We're stuck driving an SUV, and it's killing us.

Answer 8

Here in Tennessee we're feeling great pain, rising food cost,gas, etc.

same as you , we travel less,look for wholesale prices, visit yard sales,flea mrkts. Stay at Home, Pray alot more.

Answer 9

I know it can be inconvenient but unplug anything electric when not in use. You will be shocked at how much money you will save just by doing this.

Clip coupons. Shop for lower insurance. Plan your meals instead of grocery shopping off the cuff.....remember, eggs, cheese, bread and milk can go a long way. Second hand stores for clothing...I loved them when my children were young and the clothing is nearly new in many cases. Walk when you can. Drive slower. Car pool. Cut back to "basic" cable. Get rid of the "home" phone if everyone has cell phones. Get rid of cell phones if you can. Shop for better cell phone plans if you can not. Conserve water..  

Answer 10

we cant do anything else! we have an energy efficient home, my parents just got divorced, my mum has a mortgage and tons or credit cards, im costing her a fortune, the mortgage is a fortune :S we cant do anything we alreay save where we can

Answer 11

save up for pleasurable itemsdotn just buy them on a whim

Answer 12

I cancelled my Sky Sports subscription. It hurts so much !!!

Answer 13

The credit crunch does not affect me directly.  My mortgage is paid off (after interest rates of up 15.5% in the early years) and I do not use credit I cannot pay-off in full each month.

Inflation on the other hand affects me greatly as I now have a very low income.  The effect is that I can't afford to use the car so I don't go out and think twice before turning on a light.  I buy only what I need and live within my means as I always have.  It makes my world a smaller, less interesting place to be.

Answer 14

I'm starting to look at eBay as a valid bargain site rather than a pest hole.