A Strange New Phenomenon

**Milly** · 02-21-2009, 07:52 PM

FV is not the only forum I frequent, which is probably true of all of us. I spread my internet time between left-wing forums, right-wing forums and lots of forums in between. (Don't worry, this thread has nothing to do with politics.)

For the last couple of weeks I have noticed a strange phenomenon: both the left-wing and the right-wing (in among the usual name-calling & demonizing) are starting to have a decided FV bent.

"What can we buy with the $13 a week withholding bonus?" is the title of one thread on one of the left-wing forums. The answers sound as if all of us on FV have migrated en masse to their site.

The exact same question is being asked on the right-wing forums, with the exact same responses.

Recipes for making your own laundry detergent are popping up all over the internet, as well as DIY info on subjects ranging from planning one's garden to the best items for one's stockpile.

Is it possible that the American people finally have enough in common to start thinking less in terms of left and right and more in terms of how to get through this together?

Has anybody else noticed this, or have I looked at FV so much that it's imprinted on my retina and I'm reading things that aren't there?

**3LittleMonkeys** · 02-21-2009, 08:04 PM

No, you aren't the only one that has noticed this. I think people are really really scared. This is something bigger than we have seen in our lifetimes. I am 43 and I don't ever remember times being this scarey.

So, yes I think we (left, right and in between) have found a common ground. We need to work together. Work together in order to survive this rough time we are in.

**khjmom** · 02-21-2009, 08:08 PM

I am hearing alot more comments about stockpiling, and coupons.....gardens and DIY projects at work. Several were talking at lunch about different ways that they were saving money now...and the funny thing was I had been doing all of them for quite awhile. Now instead of people laughing at how cheap I am, they are asking how I do it.

**forHISglory** · 02-21-2009, 08:09 PM

Milly, you are right on the spot.

**Debbie-cat** · 02-21-2009, 08:50 PM

I too hear alot of words such as stockpiling, cutting back, saving money. The economy is in such a dire situation now and people are beginning to realize it isn't going to turn around quick. Those of us here at FV have an advantage...we have been doing these things for quite some time already!

**Milly** · 02-21-2009, 08:52 PM

It's a shame that the economy had to get this bad before people stopped trying to fix the blame and started trying to fix the problem.

I'm not saying that the Democrats no longer blame the Republicans, or vice versa, but there seems to have been a universal "Aha" moment where everybody decided there was enough blame to go around. And that the solutions were more important than who caused the problem.

**sabrelvssammy** · 02-21-2009, 09:27 PM

uh-oh....bridge just told me that our wal-mart here in town is cutting back its hours (it is a 24 hr store now) i don't have any more details but when wally-world starts cutting back....things are getting scary....

**writtenonmybody** · 02-21-2009, 10:36 PM

I've noticed a difference everywhere. Including in my friend and family group. People who normally would not talk of stockpiling, coupons and so on are now starting to want to talk with me about it. Even learn how to do it. They are excited about growing their own gardens all of the sudden when they had no interest in the past. It's very interesting to see all people come together and find some common ground.

The blame game is over and done with. We now need to do what we can to help our family, community and so on and that means coming up with solutions.

**tiff** · 02-22-2009, 05:34 AM

I'm in the UK and have found the same on UK forums and in real life.

There are still a lot of people though that need a reality check I feel, but I suppose their time will come. Its funny that a forum I go on had a thread about stockpiling a few months ago and the OP was ridiculed and it turned into a joke. There is now a thread about stockpiling on the same forum which more and more people are adding to each day and taking seriously, so it just goes to show.

**Thevail** · 02-22-2009, 05:43 AM

I'm seeing a lot of FV sort of topics almost everywhere these days. Left right and center.

I think people are starting to realize thet "conservative" and "liberal" are mostly just words. Words that one group can make fun of, and that the other group uses to identify itself. But POOR is universal, it only has ONE definition. And nobody wants to be there.

**ladytoysdream** · 02-22-2009, 07:18 AM

The few other forums that I go to but not as often as this one, I am seeing more threads and posts about ways to be more frugal.

Yesterday when I stopped at Aldi's, a lady could not figure out how to pull the cart out. It dawned on me quickly that she was a newbie.
I said you need to put money in to remove the cart, it's like a rental fee and then you get it back. So she says how much, and I say a quarter. Then I watch her go quick like down the first aisle, and not really look much, but then she spies the cereal and was checking that out. Did not put any in her cart. Then I notice she was studying the milk so I said, can I help you find anything ? So she says the gallon was too big for her, and lucky for me, another lady helped her find the half gallons, which I did not know the store even stocked. I lost track of her after that but I sure hope she found some bargains.

At the knitting club meeting yesterday, the ladies were talking about the stimulus plan and how it affects people. And the price of stamps that are going up again. So it is definitely on people's minds.

And I try to make sure I say please, and thanks more often now. I appreciate when people help me and I try to help out when I can.

**mommy4ever** · 02-22-2009, 09:33 AM

It's a monumental time for global society. I think we are going to back track to simpler time.

I read an article recently that made me think...hmm that sounds like it was when i was growing up. I grew up with 2 working parents, so dont' get me wrong, but where I grew up, there were 2 convenient stores open on Sundays, nothing else. Stores closed at 6 PM Mon-Thurs and Sat. Friday open until 9. We had a handful or restaurants, all closed by 11. the woman in the article had been laid off, she couldn't find another job like she had. they learned to live on one income, she started writing, something she'd dreamed of, she was now the SAHW and SAHM. And after 9 months of it, she couldn't see herself working fulltime 50 hour weeks with all the travel, not even for the perks of being able to vacation twice a year. They have simplified, smaller house, smaller mortgage, paid off debt, and life a much more relaxed pace of life.

This is what this recession is going to do for alot of families. Simplify. It's doing that for us. Dh is facing a layoff, not in the immediate future supposedly, after talking with the higher ups, but they arent' owners so we just don't know for sure. We are working on debt, savings and simplifying. I'm selling things as I find them. Things I'd have previously donated, as it's just easier. But no, this week, I made $380. This is our puppy fund - puppy, vet visit and supplies. I have another pending $150, this is savings. The next round of sold items will be added to snowball.

We have too much stuff, out grown things are held onto. I'm simplifying. I've been blessed as a stay at home mom most of my parenthood. There was a 10 stint that i worked full time. But when we were expecting our second, we said no more. I have had to work from home, but I'm home.

I am seeing it more and more that people are cutting back. I'm seeing "oh, I thought that was on sale, please take it off my bill."

I have a friend, who I thought was low income, I found out her husband makes double what our family makes combined, and they have no money. She's asking me for help in different areas. That's cool.

Times are changing, and while I find it terrifying right now, I know in the long run we'll be better off for it! Less need for the biggest and best, and new new new. ANd gimmes will slow from all(adults and kids).

I don't see that the recession is all that negative. Don't lynch me, we're very at risk of a layoff right now, that will be hard and scary and all of that. It'll be very hard. but I think it's the reality check so many people need, that there is a silver lining. People will learn!

**tiff** · 02-22-2009, 09:45 AM

Is anyone else still seeing people spend, spend spend but not being able to afford it, ie on credit? I know of a few and its those I worry about because they are gonna hit the floor with a bang if anything goes wrong.

I would be so relieved if things were simplified. We've always struggled to "keep up" with even my Mum saying why dont you borrow x amount so you can get that job done. Because we couldnt afford the repayments if we did borrow x amount. I would rather have our hallway undecorated than borrow to get it done. Thats just me though, there are plenty who say they couldnt live like that. At least I know we are reducing debt all the time and one day will be in a better position.

**Milly** · 02-22-2009, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by mommy4ever

This week, I made $380. This is our puppy fund - puppy, vet visit and supplies. I have another pending $150, this is savings. The next round of sold items will be added to snowball.

I don't see that the recession is all that negative. People will learn!

Hi, Mommy,

First, where did you sell your used stuff for such good prices?

Second, I agree with your comment that the recession isn't all negative. Lost jobs = bad, frugal living = good.

**jamie79** · 02-22-2009, 10:58 AM

I think people are doing it and talking about it because they are scared BUT if the economy picks up again people are going to go right back to their spending habilts and so will the banks etc. The only thing that will be different is all the jobs that have been lost in the last several months still will not be here. And of course the Republicans will blame the Dems and vice-versa and America will still be in a mess. Our financial power as a country which in part made us a Super power has been sold and mortgaged right out from under us