Discussion Zone: => General Chat => Topic started by: Adelaide on May 25, 2009, 07:35:19 PM
Title: Living on the Edge
Post by: Adelaide on May 25, 2009, 07:35:19 PM
So... I'm actually curious about this whole mess with the economy and how it is effecting anyone else...
For me, it put my parent's 26 year old marriage in jeopardy, destroyed my mom's credit, made the bills to the house I live in currently so incredibly high, the house has to get sold and we are moving soon, laid my dad off all winter, so we had to file for government help until a few months ago, and has my mom afraid to even miss one day of work because she could get fired. I'm not getting a class ring, we budget shop, and the only member in my family not working is my 11 year old brother. Both my parents, my sister (17), me (15 almost 16), and my brother (19) are all working. It's been hard. We really can't do anything because even paying for gas is too much, and we live in a place where the closest store is 8 miles away. And thats a Walmart....
So what about you guys? How has the economy effected you if at all? Also do any of you watch 20/20? It plays on ABC news... It's sorta what go me wondering about how the economy is effecting other ppl... I encourage others to watch it, this specific episode was called "Life on the Edge" and was the episode they played the first day of Spring. Here's a link to the video: http://dynamic.abc.go.com/fep/player?i=1&aff=&partner=comcast&show=166626&episode=191252 I REALLY think anyone who passes this topic should watch this, whether you're "living on the edge" or not...
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: kinjo on May 25, 2009, 07:52:50 PM
i grew up poor, have been poor
so basically, it hasnt effected me
i make enough to get by, that is how it always has been for me
i do feel bad for those who are having problems, but like people say
when you make more, you spend more, and get used to certain type of lifestyle so then when things change for the worse, people become lost and confuzed
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Adelaide on May 25, 2009, 07:58:29 PM
i make enough to get by, that is how it always has been for me
i do feel bad for those who are having problems, but like people say
when you make more, you spend more, and get used to certain type of lifestyle so then when things change for the worse, people become lost and confuzed
Yeah thats true.... I've never had a lot, but with the economy, now I really don't have much... but you're right, you do spend more when you make more, you get used to having that money in your back pocket to rely on, and when it's suddenly not there, you're lost.
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Pryce321 on May 25, 2009, 08:57:34 PM
My family has been a little bit above middle middle class for most of my life. The economy has made us cut back on the frivolous spending we used to do. My mom is still working 4 out of 3 days a week my dad gets some well paying jobs every so often (he puts in floors but since the economy had droped he has gotten less jobs). I (16) will start working this summer until school starts again in the fall.
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Adelaide on May 25, 2009, 09:00:35 PM
My family has been a little bit above middle middle class for most of my life. The economy has made us cut back on the frivolous spending we used to do. My mom is still working 4 out of 3 days a week my dad gets some well paying jobs every so often (he puts in floors but since the economy had droped he has gotten less jobs). I (16) will start working this summer until school starts again in the fall.
So are you getting the job for extra money so you can spend frivolously like you used to be able to do are are you working to support you're family? From what you said, I would guess just for a little extra money... That sux, I have high hopes for the future though... ^^
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Pryce321 on May 25, 2009, 09:38:51 PM
Im getting a job so I can stop relying on my parents and so I can get some experience with working. I also forgot to say im very frugal and think before I spend unlike my parents...
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Adelaide on May 25, 2009, 09:56:43 PM
Im getting a job so I can stop relying on my parents and so I can get some experience with working. I also forgot to say im very frugal and think before I spend unlike my parents...
xD I'm the same way... I won't ever spend my parent's money on dumb stuff if they give me some... I went to this really cool little shop with $50 birthday money and noticed a cool tiger poster on sale for a dollar and that was all i got and my mom was like "I give you $50 of MY money, and you still wont spend it!" I had that money for half a year ^^;;
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Flashwerewolf on May 25, 2009, 10:01:26 PM
The only thing it does is take 25% out of my paycheck, CALIFORNIA TAXES!!! But I rarely spend money, I am also frugal. So I have been saving a lot and making a lot of money.
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Adelaide on May 25, 2009, 10:04:08 PM
The only thing it does is take 25% out of my paycheck, CALIFORNIA TAXES!!! But I rarely spend money, I am also frugal. So I have been saving a lot and making a lot of money.
Oh, rite, i forgot you live in Cali. You should watch that vid then, it shows a lot of the [shit] going on in Cali, due to the economy. It really is interesting. It was a real eye opener to me.
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Flashwerewolf on May 25, 2009, 10:10:53 PM
California exports luxury jobs, which disappear when times are rough because ppl don't actually need coffee or hair salons each day.
My job is a necessity and is growing :) i stick a grand or two in my savings each month
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Adelaide on May 25, 2009, 10:13:52 PM
I wouldn't assume so, because the car industry is severely down... Chrysler shut down over 200 stores in PA alone My brother's fiance's dad works for a multimillion dollar car company, they've always had a lot of money, now they are the middle class suddenly cuz his industry died down and he had a huge paycut
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Pryce321 on May 25, 2009, 10:32:09 PM
Hmm. Selling drugs? I dunno.
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Flashwerewolf on May 25, 2009, 10:32:32 PM
im a contract killer
of insects, arachnids, and small animals.
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Adelaide on May 25, 2009, 10:50:40 PM
Yeah, psht... I here werewolves play a pretty good game of limbo... You gotta go real low for that game
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: kinjo on May 26, 2009, 07:56:43 AM
murderor!!
Title: Re: Living on the Edge
Post by: Whalesdude on May 26, 2009, 02:52:53 PM
I feel like spoiled child. To be honest, I'm not frugal. I research things before I buy, and I only buy what I need to get. However, if something does not come at the right price, or the price I expected, I'll shell out the extra money. Unless it's ridiculous, like 30% more or something. I buy lots of random shit, like food, soda... But to be honest, that's all I really buy. I don't buy things much anymore; not like I used to.
I think I'll end up living by making enough to pay the bills and still have a little to save and spend. Pharmacy sounds decent for that kind of lifestyle.
As far as my family personally, I don't think we've been hit super hard. My dad's job is affected, and he is stressed out and worried that he'll lose it, but to be honest, he's put away so much money into his 401k that he shouldn't have to worry about it. I wouldn't, if I was him. But, what he is doing (Which I think is smart) is looking for a new job in case he does get laid off.
It's more or less watching everything happen around us, and the fear of falling suit that is affecting our family. At this point, that's all.