Just about everywhere you turn prices for goods and services are creeping up. We all notice the big jumps that make the news. But day in and day out everything is going up just a little bit at a time. Fifty cents or a dollar at a time. If you make fifty transactions a week that could mean fifty dollars.
Rent goes up $25. Gas 25 cents a gallon. Milk a dollar. So you get a $40 a month raise and the cost of the same things cost you $200 more. You are in the hole $160.My insurance costs went up about $20 a week. My raise was $40 a month. So I am down $40 a month there. Phone goes up $5 a month. Cable a couple of dollars. Let's say our weekly grocery bill goes up $10 a week. Another $40 a month. Gas bounces around but should be figured at about $4 a gallon. Thankfully I can ride my trusty bicycle to work.
I am not saying a $40 a month raise is not fair. It just isn't keeping pace with costs. So the only thing to do is to cut back further on spending. Last year I went to Walmart for vacation. This year I'll go to Dollar Tree. I cut my our hair. Can't cut back there. I already eat the less expensive cuts of meat. Maybe have to cut out meat. Produce is also high priced. Unless you just eat beans. May have to be next.
Overtime at work is another option if you can get it. My company is not into overtime right now. A second income source is another answer. My schedule bounces around so much a second job for one day a week is hard to find. Not enough of you are clicking any of my ads making this a not for profit exercise. No extra earning here. Still need to come up with an other stream of income like maybe writing a blog that pays a hundred or so a month. Hint, hint.
Cutting out going to restaurants and bars is a big money savings. It is usually a big waste of time and money for me as no one wants to be around me anyway. Mall trips are out of the question. I haven't played golf since last June and do not really miss it. Ebay forays have came to a standstill. I have cut cable and internet to the very basic. Bought an antennae for $5 at a yard sale and pick up about 15 extra channels for free. Don't have or want the latest or greatest cell phone. No more home phone. No big TV. Did not go to the eye doctor this year. Putting off needed dental work. Where else to cut? Replaced all light bulbs with energy saving CFLs. Unplug or have appliances on strips that can be shut off when not in use to save the trickle charge they use even when not turned on. I did not have to use the furnace this winter but summer is upon us so my electric bill will about double even keeping the thermostat set at 82 degrees.
Work shoes are my largest clothing expense as I seem to need a new pair about every month or so. I have found that Dickies work pants cost a little more but hold up better then anything I have found and do seem to resist the bleach stains the best.
Checking on the internet I have nine medical issues that can qualify for disability. I have at least five neighbors I know are on disability. All of which live in a nicer apartment and drive cars. They seem to be getting by. And not going to work. I do not know how they could be living any closer to the vest than I am working. Just doesn't make it seem worth working. I see them come into the store driving automobiles and spending money. Are they getting more on disability than I am working? Just drives me up a wall and I need to somehow get it out of my mind. The folks I am talking about are not in wheelchairs. Walking with canes. Although the cane seems to be obligatory if not just reinforcing the facade. Enough on this as I guess I am just jealous. Not of the people that are truly in need.. Just the ones who get by with it through some way and how. They probably laugh at me (if they even notice) when I jump on the little bicycle and right to work to do a physically and mentally demanding job, To put up with customers, co workers and management. To live almost as well as they do. Without lifting a finger. Just be sittin'. I need to get this off my radar screen before I completely flip out.
Leisure time and habits can be a money leak as well. I am down to not much of either. Being the last bastion of things that are not essential to cut out. Sitting home guarding the television is getting old. Need to find other activities to do that do not cost any money and somewhat fun. Helping aging parents on one off day pretty much fills that day. It does however give me pleasure to be able to be there and help. As they have put up with me for 54 years.
Without seeming selfish I need to find other things that I can do to enjoy for maybe just myself. We all get our little routines and comfort zones. At this juncture I need to stop the merry go round, get off and look around to see the world. Find something new. Get a grip on some positive change. Maybe use the exercise room and pool that is free at my apartment complex. Start riding a bicycle for leisure instead of just back and forth from work. Something, anything. Just get out of the rut a bit.
As far as other income streams I am pretty good with computers and electronics. I can also do minor watch repairs. Also bicycle repairs. Maybe these folks on disability have some other income streams as they have the time on their hands. Or perhaps are trust fund babies that are just getting a bit more milk.
At this juncture I come home from work real tired and pretty disgusted. But work is the best thing that I have going right now. I do not need to do anything rash and stay the course. Since I am not going to be promoted to CEO anytime in the near future I just have to get by on what I earn. Put up with the good and the bad. A check up from the neck up.
I have written many posts by now and did not expect to set the world on fire. But did expect to make a little money at this. I feel that I have some decent and relevant ads. Try to keep it where anyone in the family can read and hopefully enjoy the posts.
Last month I was approved for a loan that totally surprised me. I guess companies are doing whatever they can to stimulate business. I was so close to taking it on. Only to live to regret it in the future. I just got my letter for the new lease. My rent is going up another $25. That may kill me let alone another consumer product loan!
Perhaps a better blog is where I need to go. This would be my favored route as I can do this about any time from anywhere. Please give me some input. What would you like me to write about. Should I just hang it up and consider it a learning experience. As heretofore, henceforth I will keep trudging along. My readers have been from all over the world. Which is really cool although not financially rewarding. It is something that most people have not at least tried.
Again thank you who have read my posts. Please give me some input as to what you want to hear about. I am sure that I am not the only one in the same boat as myself. Kind of like purgatory. I am not being greedy. Just trying to survive. And have a decent time doing it. As the rat says, "I don't want the cheese, just out of this trap".
Perhaps a better blog is where I need to go. This would be my favored route as I can do this about any time from anywhere. Please give me some input. What would you like me to write about. Should I just hang it up and consider it a learning experience. As heretofore, henceforth I will keep trudging along. My readers have been from all over the world. Which is really cool although not financially rewarding. It is something that most people have not at least tried.
Again thank you who have read my posts. Please give me some input as to what you want to hear about. I am sure that I am not the only one in the same boat as myself. Kind of like purgatory. I am not being greedy. Just trying to survive. And have a decent time doing it. As the rat says, "I don't want the cheese, just out of this trap".
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