A question for all of you....

**jamie79** · 12-07-2007, 08:28 AM

I have had this conversation with a couple of people lately and am wondering if you feel the same. Does it seem that the money just is not going as far? I think so, with the price increases of everything it just doesnt seem to go as far. We are having a hard time this yr giving the boys a decent Christmas. Granted they are teens so everything they want is pricey but they were teens last yr. We dont have any more debt then last yr, as a matter of fact its about the same( not good, hamster on a wheel, but I digress) . Is anyone else feeling like this?

**Nantahala** · 12-07-2007, 08:42 AM

I partially agree. It seems that it was easier to find deals and good bargain finds a few years ago but lately it seems everyone seems strapped so there's fewer good finds, etc. Also the prices are just rising, whether it's food or gas and most people's wages are not increasing.

I've found that one really does have to be the early bird to get the worm these days, being constantly and almost hyper-aware of possibilities and the cost of every day items. It almost seems like another full time job.

**MarshHen** · 12-07-2007, 11:39 AM

I have to say I agree with both of you, and I think it's gonna get alot worse before it gets better.....if it does. I know that sounds harsh, but I would rather be prepared to face it than to live with my head in the sand.

**Momto2Boyz** · 12-07-2007, 02:02 PM

Since last Christmas, we've gone done to one income (left my job to stay home with the kids), so it is hard for me to compare this year to past years.

Part of going down to one income for us, was making the conscious decision that things just aren't as important to us anymore as they used to be. So, we have been simplifying our lives on top of all of this.

The boys are getting 1 present from Santa & 1 present from us (grandparents will spoil them anyways). Granted they are 6 & 4, and not teens...they might have something to say about our lifestyle choices when they are older, but for now they are fine with it all.

When I think back to Christmas's past, I remember when I was a kid, the whole family gathering at my Grandma's house, eating a huge meal, singing Christmas carols and waiting for Santa (even as a teen, this magic was still there, even though Santa wasn't). I can't remember one single present that I was ever given as a kid or a teen! Okay, I got off on another subject here!

But yes, I do think the retailers are being "stingy" with the deals this year. Even Black Friday's deals were horrible this year. With the prices of "basics" rising so quickly (and by basics, I mean gas, milk, eggs, insurance, etc.), people just can't afford too much of the extra's....if nobody is buying the price of the items goes up to cover the retailer's advertising costs, fuel costs, etc.

**shoiji** · 12-07-2007, 02:23 PM

I have noticed prices going up. And products getting smaller. A small candy cane looked more like a U then a candy cane. LOL.

Anyway, I am grateful for this site. It has helped me think about things such as need and want. This really seems to help with the not spending and being more careful about spending.

Yes it will probably get worse but I feel better knowing I will be better prepared.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 12-07-2007, 03:42 PM

Yes, things definitely seem much "tighter"...more difficult to get the $$ to stretch to where they need to. Which is sad... I'm guessing it will get worse before it gets better... We're having to reeeeeeeeeally cut back on driving. And I'm having to cook (even more) from scratch. But, in the long run we'll all do fine. I'm thankful that I have food to cook at all! And enough gas in the tank that it wouldn't be a problem to get to the doctor or what-not.

I guess my "frustration" right now is...I still see all our friends spending like there's no tomorrow...eating out, buying TONS of stuff for their kids, getting new clothes (that they don't need...sorry, but I've seen their closets!). And, well...it's hard to watch and feel sort of 'left out'... I'll be glad to not be left out on the debt issues down the road so I'm trying to keep my eyes on that. At the same time it will be sad to watch them try to recover from their actions. It will be interesting to see how the country in general handles things when the credit runs out.

**pqb57** · 12-07-2007, 03:46 PM

Between gas prices and food prices, those seem to be the biggest increases. So have to cut back somewhere and unfortunately Christmas takes a big hit.

**isabel.loveday** · 12-07-2007, 04:28 PM

Yep, I've noticed the same thing. A lot of it is new technology that isn't stabilizing financially -- ipods, wiis, computers, etc. And kids today are a lot more in tune with these advancements than they were before. That and inflation seems to be driving the price of everything up...

**sdrjeolsen** · 12-07-2007, 11:20 PM

yep, I agree. Things are steadily increasing. Not only that, but the sizes of everything are shrinking. Seems every few months they shave another ounce off the product. Sugar is now 4 lbs., ice cream isn't a full 1/2 gallon, etc. Now I see they are pushing the ultra concentrated thing again. They did that about 10-15 yrs ago...so what happened to that, thought it was already concentrated from the last time. Makes me frustrated.

**dolphin** · 12-07-2007, 11:49 PM

I totally agree with you! Last week the price of 1 gal. of gas was $3.11. Today it is $2.99. Last year we were paying around $1.89 for a gallon of gas. The fluctuations are too enormous and too rediculous to justify. A gallon of milk cost me $3.23 tonight. Last year we were paying around $2.18 a gallon. We got a 17% rate hike on our electric bill this year. Our trash bill went up atleast 7%. Avacados used to be a treat for dh and I at $.59 cents a piece. Now, if you can catch them on sale they are $1.00 each otherwise they are $1.89 each. They are now not even a treat for us, we just don't buy them.

Our Christmas is hit hard this year.

**nodmicks** · 12-08-2007, 09:18 AM

I agree 100%. Prices for gas, food, utilies are way up here. We got notice our ins will ba going up a little over 200 a month. Dh's pay is way down due to housing. I am so grateful we became debt free whn we did!

**kittykatstrong** · 12-08-2007, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Nantahala

I partially agree. It seems that it was easier to find deals and good bargain finds a few years ago but lately it seems everyone seems strapped so there's fewer good finds, etc. Also the prices are just rising, whether it's food or gas and most people's wages are not increasing.

I've found that one really does have to be the early bird to get the worm these days, being constantly and almost hyper-aware of possibilities and the cost of every day items. It almost seems like another full time job.

I agree, there are more people watching every penny so that combined with prices going up.

**bumplett** · 12-08-2007, 10:39 AM

Yep, I agree -

and it's depressing

**IntlMom** · 12-08-2007, 05:15 PM

I agree too *sigh*

**i.m.cheap** · 12-08-2007, 05:48 PM

I couldn't agree more. Groceries are getting to be out of sight. Apples are $1.99 a lb., store brand eggs are $1.99 a dozen, and milk is almost $4.00 a gallon here. And coffee! I noticed the small cans of coffee that used to be one pound, and then years ago went to 13 oz., I bought one today, and noticed not only had the price gone up again, but the size is now 12 oz. I would have bought the larger can, but it was $8.99, and that was supposed to be a SALE price (reg. $9.35). We used to buy ice cream occaissionally, but now only if someone is having a birthday or something, because it is $4.00 or more for less than a half gallon.