In order to cope with the cost of living today, we need to separate our needs from our wants. This isn't so easy if we have not had to budget too closely in the recent past. However, due to the economic crunch that is squeezing the life out of every dollar, this unrelenting recession needs to individually be met head on.
We all need to get down to basics. Food, shelter, clothing, medical care are all necessities. Add to that, most of us have to have a vehicle to get back and forth to our job, if we still have one to go to.
The first thing to do is not panic. Let's address the necessities to help us cope with the unanticipated cost of living thrust in our faces and for most of us, not by our own making. We can only control so much. And controlling our attitude is the first thing to do.
FOOD:
1. Stop eating out. Most of us have no idea just how much money we spend in keeping the chain of fast-food restruants afloat while our financial boat is fast springing leaks. Eat out on special occassions only.
2. When grocery shopping, you can buy the cheapest cuts of beef, chicken or pork and turn them into tasty tender meats simply by slow-cooking. The slower the better. Also let meats, such as turkeys and roasts, sit at least 20 minutes before carving. When the meat is sliced right away, it looses its juices and moisture and the result is dry meat.
3. All supermarkets have discounted pastries and breads nearing expiration date. These are sold at nearly 1/2 price and breads or bagels put in your freezer will retain their freshness.
4. Raw beans, soaked in water overnight and cooked slowly, make excellent chili, soups and casseroles. They are so inexpensive, they are often overlooked. Also, they are low in fat and high in protein. Go to www.beanbible.com and you will find an incredible list of free bean recipies.
5. Online coupons and regular coupons are only useful if you actually need the items. Resist buying things "on sale" that you do not really need or you will just defeat the prupose.
SHELTER:
1. Whether you rent or own, conduct your own home energy audit. Make it a fun-family-think-tank session. Losing heat or cooling is expensive and must be included at the top of your list.
2. Cut down on the use of TV and electronic entertainments. Instead, use those items less and bring back board games, jigsaw puzzles, card playing.
3. Stop buying expensive cleaning products and use baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and elbow grease.
4. If you have cell phones, can you eliminate the land-line? Or, keep the land-line and eliminate the cell phones.
5. If you are a home-owner, downsize your living quarters and rent a room out to a boarder. Either another family member, friend or college student. Screen well and safety first. Friends of trusted friends may be searching. Rents are skyrocketing too.
CLOTHING:
1. Make use of thrift stores. They offer gently-worn clothing for every member of the family.
2. Baby clothes. Can you swap with another family. Baby clothes never wear out, they just get grown out of!
3. Charity shops and organizations like Good Will offer gently-worn clothing, as well as toys, books, videos and household items. My daughter-in-law purchased a $700 wedding gown for $50, had it taken in a bit and dry cleaned and it was perfect. Likewise, there is an organization called Project Cinderella for young teens looking for a prom dress.
4. Underwear and socks should always be purchased new. Buy these when on sale at Walmart or other chain store.
5. Churches usually have coat drives for winter. You can get good winter coats, hats and mittens that have been donated for free.
MEDICAL CARE:
1. When it comes to aspirin, cold and cough syrups, indigestion aids and the like, buy generic brands. If you carefully compare labels, you will find they essentially contain the same working ingredients at quite a discount than the name-brand. Purchase these at grocery store rather than drug-store to get the best price.
2. Sadly, during this recession, many will lose their healthcare benefits due to loss of insurance. In all hospitals that receive government grants (and most do), they cannot refuse to treat you if you are ill. At every hospital there is a Patient's Advocate office. They can help set up a workable plan to pay at a sliding scale cost, according to your income.
3. Most cities have free clinics and can dispense free sample medications, if you can't pay.
4. Most states have a Department of Human Services where children under 18 years of age can get free medical and dental care if the parent/s are out of work, existing on unemployment benefits.
Be sure to take advantage of any and all government benefits and programs you are entitled to, if you are losing your income due to job loss, illness or other unforeseen circumstance. Do not be ashamed to avail yourself of these programs. This downturn in the economy, causing financial hardships to many, is not the average person's fault. The trouble started on Wall Street, not Main Street!
Keep in mind, if you lose your job or are already out of work, you paid taxes and are entitled to receive help so you can cope with the cost of living we are all struggling with these days.