ugh! Shall I just hold my wallet open?

**nodmicks** · 08-30-2005, 10:18 AM

 They just came on the news saying that gas in WI is set to go up at least another .20 because of the hurricanes. We already are paying 2.75 . That will put it at 2.95! We of course live 30 miles from anywhere and commute.

Electric went up 20% a few months ago and are trying for another 20% increase.

Heavens groceries are getting sky high too! Then add the fact that the price of our nat. gas has almost doubled in the last 2 years.

The minimums doubling on the credit cards (though this is great to pay it off in the long run)

This is getting to be a scarey picture.

I decided to edit and add to this so it wasn't so negative! First I know how to be frugal and pinch pennies so that helps! My concern is debt and Dh's work slowing . However since I'm not employed full time if things ever got really bad that is always an option. So thats a big plus.

  

  

 

**homesteadmamma** · 08-30-2005, 10:25 AM

Our news reported both Canada and the States gas prices will be affected by this hurricane.

I've noticed a huge price increase in most food items. Not a good scenario for this coming winter.

**nodmicks** · 08-30-2005, 10:31 AM

Thats what I'm thinking Homesteadmama! I'm trying to really stockpile while still staying in the grocery budget which is kinda hard.
Increased fuel is really eatting up extra $.
Let this be a good lesson to us as to why we should have put 5000 Dh recieved on our debt instead of a cash 9 day Disney trip in 2003!!! Lesson learned! We have made good progress though on the cc' as they've went from a tad over 16K to a tad over 8K
We also have 2 car loans though. These will be our last car loans ever! No exceptions!

**tnmimzie** · 08-30-2005, 10:40 AM

Yeah, I definitely think gas prices are affecting grocery prices. I've found good deals this year, but no where as good as last year. Plus I seem to be working a lot harder to get them. Cereal prices really seem to be taking a hit here. Kroger raised a lot of name brand cereals to $5.14 a box the other week. Youch. None of that will be making its way into my house, I can tell you that much.

**nodmicks** · 08-30-2005, 10:46 AM

Tnmimzie~ 5.14 is nuts!!!!! We have an Amish run salvage store that be buy it for 1.00 -1.50 a box. I did recently see 2 for 5 in the grocery.
I think cereal is nuts in general. The kids can eat a box in a sitting and don't stay full. Where as a 1/2 c of dry oatmeal cooked makes a very filling breakfast.

**QuilterMom** · 08-30-2005, 10:47 AM

I feel like we should just be handing our wallets over as well!

I told dh to watch gas prices while he's out today working. I just read on a homesteading type board about gas being stolen out of personal vehicles and farm equipment.

I intend to talk to dh about locking gas caps for our vehicles. I would hope that no one would come through our front gate and all the way up to our house to do that, but I wouldn't put it past people now. These are desperate times for many.

Our grocery prices have increased as well. One store manager told dh over the weekend that they were told in a meeting to expect prices to rise on a weekly basis.

To top it off, we found out yesterday that dh will definitely not be getting a raise. He's not had one in 3 years - never mind the cost of living continues to increase!

**tnmimzie** · 08-30-2005, 10:51 AM

Yeah, nuts is right. My rule is $2.00 a box or less. I really stock up when I can find a good deal because my family goes through a ton of cereal. Managed to get a few boxes for .50 each this week, so that helps.

**homesteadmamma** · 08-30-2005, 12:37 PM

Kim, our local Co-op employees were told the exact same thing. Prices would be rising weekly.

Farmers are also having problems here with stolen gas.

On a side note - I listen to a Christian radio stations from Minot, ND. Last week they were telling a story of 2 guys who filled their cars with stolen "gas". They found out it wasn't gas but diesel. Not too bright!!!!

I refuse to purchase boxed cereals. For what you get, they are just too expensive. We eat hot cereal, have eggs and toast, make my own pancakes and often we have leftover pizza.

**pkellyc** · 08-30-2005, 12:55 PM

I am filling my oil tank this week I am expecting almost a $400 bill.
My dh works 50 miles from here and we have been spending close to $100 a week in gas. My next refill for oil will fall in that wonderful time of year we call Christmastime. We are fortunate that my dh is in a union and we always get raises every year but this year the raise will only defray the cost of living and will not be enough to cover it. The sad fact is although dh and I are older, a little more established and need less to live on we are getting poorer. I have 2 kids in college this year and tution has gone up $6000 a year but, financial aid is at an all time low. We will be more comfortable in about 6 years from now, when the kids are out of school. But until then, YIKES! Something has got to give.

**Michele Annette** · 08-30-2005, 01:35 PM

Thats what I'm thinking Homesteadmama! I'm trying to really stockpile while still staying in the grocery budget which is kinda hard.

Even though my stockpile is extremely low I have been trying to buy at least one food item for our temporary stockpile. I say temporary because we don't want to invest in it and then have to move it when we move. Also when we move, I won't exactly know where and what I will be close to as far as stores, etc. I need have a small stockpile though because it puts my mind at ease. It makes sense during these tight times for us and in case of an emergency of course.

**jlxian** · 08-30-2005, 02:23 PM

Here in SW Missouri gas rose 26 cents overnight. Now really!!!!!
And I'm betting the gas in the tanks is the same gas that was there yesterday morning.

I'm beginning to really dread this winter. I'm glad that I planted a large garden and have been socking away everything I'm able to freeze/can. It won't be a lot, but it will help. Those of you with nice stockpiles should get an Ant Award (for the ant vs grasshopper story)!!!

As morbid as it sounds, I'm guessing this winter there will be a lot of cases of folks going without heat with some dire consequences.

**Mamaw** · 08-30-2005, 05:41 PM

I think we all share the same concerns. But remember, all we can do is the best we can do. Use all our resources as wisely as possible, eliminate unnecessary spending and pay off debt as much as possible. Stockpile and use our groceries wisely. I think this winter is going to be very difficult. I am saying my prayers and trying my best not to let the worry affect me mentally.

**SHOPGIRL** · 08-30-2005, 05:44 PM

Today I saw gas prices as high as $2.99. Hopefully, it will just be temporary.

**pita1213** · 08-31-2005, 04:59 PM

right now my biggest worry is what kind of increase the landlord is going to give us on the rent his year. all of our utilities are included in our rent and i'm a bit worried about what he is going to push off on us since i'm sure the rates are going up.
at one point they talked about us having to pay our utilies but i'm not sure how well that would go because there aren't indiviual meters on any of the townhouses.
everything else comes down to conserving what we can. combining as many errands into one trip, shopping sales and loss leaders, stocking up when possible, cutting out what isn't a real need. all the frugal stuff we all know we can do.