Possible US Recession???

[bvanpeltsw]

I am wondering how all of you feel about the state of the economy. All I hear is bad news about the economy and where things are going. It all just sounds like doom and gloom. I also know the media likes to over-dramatize situations.

Albert is self-employed and his business has slowed down significantly. Fundraising for non-profits has also slowed down.

What do you think?

[Cpogie]

Yup....it's happening right now, but the BIG BOYS will not say recession, seems the word puts people in a panic, look at what is happening with the housing industry alone, new and old homes! prices are sky high, who, buying for the first time can afford to be that house poor? foreclosurers are at record highs, there are cities here in Calif where Realtors charter buses to take people to see foreclosed homes.........so people can buy much lower than market value.
Credit card companies are also experiencing a huge decline, with default payments the highest ever, and, with gasoling on the rise with an expected cost of $4.00 a gallon, this will hurt the middle class more and more, we are becoming a country of poor and rich, our President wants to give everyone a couple hundred bucks to help the ecomony? It never worked in the past....he already has us in the red for the next 50 years.

[bvanpeltsw]

Yup....it's happening right now, but the BIG BOYS will not say recession, seems the word puts people in a panic, look at what is happening with the housing industry alone, new and old homes! prices are sky high, who, buying for the first time can afford to be that house poor? foreclosurers are at record highs, there are cities here in Calif where Realtors charter buses to take people to see foreclosed homes.........so people can buy much lower than market value.
Credit card companies are also experiencing a huge decline, with default payments the highest ever, and, with gasoling on the rise with an expected cost of $4.00 a gallon, this will hurt the middle class more and more, we are becoming a country of poor and rich, our President wants to give everyone a couple hundred bucks to help the ecomony? It never worked in the past....he already has us in the red for the next 50 years.

We were going to buy a home, but that has been put on hold for a few years. We are not going to get in the position where we would have absolutely no money.

I read something about the President wanting to give each tax payer $800. Seriously....what does he think this will do, if anything?

[mood4amelody]

I think the housing is the least of the worries coming up. They say that Ga. is having water shortage problems right now, and that by this summer it will be a national crisis. I've heard that with the ethanol production stepping up on such a huge scale, per the presidents order, prices for feed corn will skyrocket 'causing the prices of meat and milk to go much higher than it already has, as well as 'causing farmers to go belly up. Food shortages are increasing and already becoming more noticible overseas, and it's just a matter of time until folks here are experiencing the same.

Sorry. I try to stay upbeat, and this is not good news. :(

[Cpogie]

Your right about the 800 dollars, it will not help! and for us that are on a fixed income we would not get anything cause we do not have to do income tax filing anymore! not unless you have other income.

Brandy, I don't know if this is feasable for you and Albert, but, if you can, put your whole check into the bank and do not touch it, seems impossible to do? It isn't if you really ecomomize and try it, you can always get it, if you have to. We did this years ago, I went to work also and saved my whole paycheck, never spent 1 cent, it was hard to do, but I did it, we were able to buy our first home that way. Also keep in mind forclousures, if you are handy, which I think you both are, and, can do the work on a fixer in a good neighborhood you can make a great deal!

[bvanpeltsw]

I think the housing is the least of the worries coming up. They say that Ga. is having water shortage problems right now, and that by this summer it will be a national crisis. I've heard that with the ethanol production stepping up on such a huge scale, per the presidents order, prices for feed corn will skyrocket 'causing the prices of meat and milk to go much higher than it already has, as well as 'causing farmers to go belly up. Food shortages are increasing and already becoming more noticible overseas, and it's just a matter of time until folks here are experiencing the same.

Sorry. I try to stay upbeat, and this is not good news. :(

I was thinking that we would come out of it until my office did some research and attended an economic workshop sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

Santa Fe is also having water problems and the state does not know how to fix it. Thank god we have a well and who knows how long that will last.

I am going to bank my income tax return. Albert's job is so unpredictable so we need to make sure we have something even if it is just something small.

[bvanpeltsw]

Your right about the 800 dollars, it will not help! and for us that are on a fixed income we would not get anything cause we do not have to do income tax filing anymore! not unless you have other income.

Brandy, I don't know if this is feasable for you and Albert, but, if you can, put your whole check into the bank and do not touch it, seems impossible to do? It isn't if you really ecomomize and try it, you can always get it, if you have to. We did this years ago, I went to work also and saved my whole paycheck, never spent 1 cent, it was hard to do, but I did it, we were able to buy our first home that way. Also keep in mind forclousures, if you are handy, which I think you both are, and, can do the work on a fixer in a good neighborhood you can make a great deal!

I am the breadwinner in our household. I make a substantial amount more than what Albert makes and it killed us when I was only working part-time for 4 months last year. I have a good amount in savings, but I do not want to touch it. If we needed to dive into it, then so be it. I am really worried about my parents. I want to have funds to help them if I need to.:(

[bvanpeltsw]

Your right about the 800 dollars, it will not help! and for us that are on a fixed income we would not get anything cause we do not have to do income tax filing anymore! not unless you have other income.

Brandy, I don't know if this is feasable for you and Albert, but, if you can, put your whole check into the bank and do not touch it, seems impossible to do? It isn't if you really ecomomize and try it, you can always get it, if you have to. We did this years ago, I went to work also and saved my whole paycheck, never spent 1 cent, it was hard to do, but I did it, we were able to buy our first home that way. Also keep in mind forclousures, if you are handy, which I think you both are, and, can do the work on a fixer in a good neighborhood you can make a great deal!

Carol-when is this "refund" suppose to be received?

Are we talking with our refund checks or what?

[mood4amelody]

I would recommend that you store some of your water. As much as you can. If worse comes to worse, it could be more important than cash and a better bargaining tool. Also, I suggest not putting all your money in the bank. Try to keep a couple hundred on hand. If "it" hits the fan, you may not be able to get to the bank. Or, the banks may have a shut down like Black Monday. With all these repos, the banks are gonna lose their @ss in the long run and our government has absolutely NO money to bail them out this time like they did for the S&L fiasco a while back. And, also non-perishable food storage.

I honestly think the outlook is wayyyyy bleak. I think it's biblical, and I don't think it's gonna be pretty. Just hold tight to your loved ones and keep on kickin' it.

[wbarker]

I know my family is spending less and trying to save money, but it is more that we overspend on the holidays and we need to start being smart with our money.

In our area, I have not seen a lot of houses for sale, and prices have dipped a little, but not significantly.

I would love a tax break, but I'm not going to hold my breath!

[bvanpeltsw]

I know my family is spending less and trying to save money, but it is more that we overspend on the holidays and we need to start being smart with our money.

In our area, I have not seen a lot of houses for sale, and prices have dipped a little, but not significantly.

I would love a tax break, but I'm not going to hold my breath!

We are cutting way back as well. We did not even buy a lot of holiday gifts because everyone I knew cut back this year.

I guess the gas prices scare the he ll outta me because I work so far away.

[Cpogie]

Carol-when is this "refund" suppose to be received?

Are we talking with our refund checks or what?

I have no idea of when that was suppose to happen, maybe he needs approval?? I am sure you will be hearing about it soon.

[wbarker]

We are cutting way back as well. We did not even buy a lot of holiday gifts because everyone I knew cut back this year.

I guess the gas prices scare the he ll outta me because I work so far away.

You have a good point on the gas prices - I actually think about where I'm going and try to complete multiple trips together in order to save!

[bvanpeltsw]

I also have a difficuly time believing anything that comes from the Presidents mouth.

I am just really hoping *SOMETHING* happens.

[bvanpeltsw]

Talk about inflation....

My propane company just came to fill up our 120 gallon propane tank for the 2heaters that we have.

$318.12!!!!

I just about fell over when I made out the check!:eek:

It normally cost me about $200.

[VanillaBean]

I believe we are in a state of recession...and it is only going to get worse. I stock pile as much as I can....but when it comes down to it...prayer is all I will have to depend on.....

[Motherofthree]

I believe we are in a state of recession...and it is only going to get worse. I stock pile as much as I can....but when it comes down to it...prayer is all I will have to depend on.....

Your so right!! We need to start praying for this country!!! Things need to change...and if they dont..well only God knows what will happen... I just pray I get my hubby back before this all gets to out of control!!:o

[rebate queen]

I just got a little taste of how bad it is here. Usually you can get a house at a decent price in a military town, with so many people coming and going. I just happened to look at an email from a friend/realtor yesterday. The house he was selling was 1/2 the size of mine and cost twice as much:eek: That really freaked me out. Thank God I have the house that I have. I need to work more, since I am blessed to be able to do that if I choose. I don't want an emergency to take me down because I am all that I have to depend on. The responsibility on my shoulders freaks me out sometimes!!!
I don't pay attention like I should to what is going on in our country. It is always so depressing, but unfortunately ignoring it doesn't make it go away:(

[momsangel]

I just got a little taste of how bad it is here. Usually you can get a house at a decent price in a military town, with so many people coming and going. I just happened to look at an email from a friend/realtor yesterday. The house he was selling was 1/2 the size of mine and cost twice as much:eek: That really freaked me out. Thank God I have the house that I have. I need to work more, since I am blessed to be able to do that if I choose. I don't want an emergency to take me down because I am all that I have to depend on. The responsibility on my shoulders freaks me out sometimes!!!
I don't pay attention like I should to what is going on in our country. It is always so depressing, but unfortunately ignoring it doesn't make it go away:(

I agree with this completely,I think we all need to open our eyes and see whats taking place

[bvanpeltsw]

I think I am going to make a poll and see how people are going to spend their tax rebate check. I am curious to know if it is going back into the economy.

[momsangel]

I personally don't think mine will,I need to get rid of a few meical debts then save for that rainy day

[countrypkin65]

Ok, I'm not really up on all this political crap, nor do I understand the stupid stock market thingy, and how it ways on our well being as a country. BUT...if they believe we are going into a recession -- wouldn't it really make more sense to LOWER the prices of just about everything, (Temporarily even?)so people could afford to live? Because, I feel the higher they raise things..people will not buy, and that will hurt us more.

[bvanpeltsw]

Ok, I'm not really up on all this political crap, nor do I understand the stupid stock market thingy, and how it ways on our well being as a country. BUT...if they believe we are going into a recession -- wouldn't it really make more sense to LOWER the prices of just about everything, (Temporarily even?)so people could afford to live? Because, I feel the higher they raise things..people will not buy, and that will hurt us more.

I've noticed that even simple items in the grocery store are more expensive. I wanted to buy eggs yesterday and they were $3 a dozen! I about fell over!:eek:

[momsangel]

I've noticed that even simple items in the grocery store are more expensive. I wanted to buy eggs yesterday and they were $3 a dozen! I about fell over!:eek:

I realized ours are 2.39 a dozen right now and sorry but,not going in my buggy! Groceries increase weekly as does pretty much everything else.
Gas is the worst for us right now.:mad:

[bvanpeltsw]

Ok so now we are on a hiring freeze for 60 days. We are told to cut all costs.

Things are not looking good.:(

[mood4amelody]

Ok, I'm not really up on all this political crap, nor do I understand the stupid stock market thingy, and how it ways on our well being as a country. BUT...if they believe we are going into a recession -- wouldn't it really make more sense to LOWER the prices of just about everything, (Temporarily even?)so people could afford to live? Because, I feel the higher they raise things..people will not buy, and that will hurt us more.

I think it would make a lot more sense if we weren't giving billions of dollars away to Africa every time we turn around. About a month and a half ago, I heard on the news Geo. Bush giving $70 MILLION (US money, not Bush money) to them. And, when Bono did that fundraiser a year or so ago, we gave $50 Million, then! My God, I love to help people but I don't starve my own children to do it!

[momsangel]

Ok so now we are on a hiring freeze for 60 days. We are told to cut all costs.

Things are not looking good.:(


that is bad, a hiring freeze

[bvanpeltsw]

Today I noticed that restaurants are really raising their prices....

I went to a chain for a sandwich and a drink was $3.00.

Has anyone noticed the increase in prices in anything else?

It is crazy!

[Cpogie]

Yup, the cost of food in general, veggies, for gods sake they would rather throw out the spoiled stuff than lower the price to begin with! Cheese and meat has gone up alot, meat is out of sight........and soft drinks have gone way up! It's really hard when your on a tight budget! I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel either....

[bvanpeltsw]

The grocery store is having a HUGE sale on meat. I think we are going to stock up while it is reasonable.

Cokes are crazy! They were $4.00 for a 12 pack today.:eek:

[leopat1010]

I just came back from grocery shopping and am disgusted at the prices. I live In Rhode Island & the Northeast has always had a high cost of living but this is out of control. There were things I wanted to buy but didn't, not because I can't afford to but because I refuse to. I refuse to accept these prices and will not buy anything that isn't absolutely necessary and only then if it is on sale or I have a coupon. Who knows, it might benefit me in the long run since I left the bag of Fritos on the shelf where I found them for $3.99. I love Fritos but can do without the fat content. But it's a real s*** that I have to deprive myself of something I like so much to make a point. The sad thing is, no one will know I made this point except myself. One person alone cannot make a statement, it has to be the masses. If people continue to buy these products that are priced well beyond what they should be priced it will all just go on & on & on.

It irks me to no end that the other day Mr. Bush gave a speech in which he talked about Iraq. He said at one point that the Iraq economy was doing well or on it's way to doing well. I can't qoute what he said because it made me so angry I started ranting & raving to the TV & couldn't hear anything else he said. It's all well & good the Iraq economy is doing fine but what about the U.S. economy? It is sinking and sinking fast. I work in the finance industry and I see the effects of what is happening. The stock market is rocking & reeling from all this unrest and each & every one of us will be affected by it & it's not going to get any better. I keep reading & hearing the experts saying the prices are up & they aren't coming down again.

I don't know, they talk as if we should all sit back & accept the situation. Learn to live with this situation by cutting expenses, being conservative, yada, yada, yada. But you reach a point where you can't do anything more & then what?

I need to get off my soap box. I just should never have gone shopping today.

[MandMnmbr3]

I know how all of of feel. I went shopping yesterday to pick up a few things to tide us over until DH gets paid again.

I bought fruit for Dylan, butter, meats, and fresh veggies. OMGosh... over $65.00 for 3 bags!!!!!!! :eek:

The elderly man who was bagging my groceries said, "Honey, if you don't have a freezer you should buy one. We are in a recession no matter what the government tries to tell us about how 'good' our economy is. I'm sure you've noticed the price of food and gas and how much it has gone up in just one week. I lived through the last recession and I KNOW what I am talking about. I know people think I'm crazy, but I'm NOT!" While he was saying the last sentence the cashier looked at me, nodded her head yes, and smiled!

As I was watching the news a few nights ago, a reporter was interviewing an independent semi-truck driver (who transports for grocery stores across the US) as he was filling up his truck with fuel. The driver said how he can't afford to run his truck anymore, but yet he can't afford NOT to because he has a house payment and a family to support. It cost him $1200. to fill up his truck, and he said he was getting paid $1600. to make the run!

Hugs,
Mae

[momsangel]

Mae

I completely agree and I am not happy with the prices of anything, I just 118.00 and had nothing so to speak:rolleyes: it is getting more difficult everytime we turn around.........

EVERYTHING GOES UP BUT THE PAY CHECKS:mad:

[MandMnmbr3]

Mae

I completely agree and I am not happy with the prices of anything, I just 118.00 and had nothing so to speak:rolleyes: it is getting more difficult everytime we turn around.........

EVERYTHING GOES UP BUT THE PAY CHECKS:mad:


Mary, I KNOW!! DH is really supposed to be working in different offices during the week, the furthest one is a 2 1/2 hour drive one way from home, and he is supposed to be there 2 days a week. With the price of gas he has been working from home as much as possible. He is reimbursed for his gas by the company, but we have to wait for 2 weeks for his expense account check! :eek:

He's been setting up conference calls to all of the offices to take care of business from home to save $$ on fuel. His boss called him last week and wanted to know if he was in the Oxnard office, he said No, I'm in my "home" office. Donkey Kong ( his boss...LOL... Our girls nick-named him that years ago) said I thought you were supposed to be in Oxnard today?! DH said I had planned on it but Dan (another manager) decided he didn't want to carpool (it was his turn to drive) and I can't see driving all that way when I can take care of what I need to from home.

A couple of weeks ago DH and Dan carpooled all week to Oxnard using our truck. Dan left his brand new H2 Hummer here at our house. I made a comment to DH... if he can afford the an H2, he should be able to afford the gas it takes to get to Oxnard and back! I asked if Dan offered to share the expense of gas to get there and back, DH said NO! I said you've got to be kidding me? DH said no, he never offered. Irks me! :mad:

Hugs,
Mae

[momsangel]

Mary, I KNOW!! DH is really supposed to be working in different offices during the week, the furthest one is a 2 1/2 hour drive one way from home, and he is supposed to be there 2 days a week. With the price of gas he has been working from home as much as possible. He is reimbursed for his gas by the company, but we have to wait for 2 weeks for his expense account check! :eek:

He's been setting up conference calls to all of the offices to take care of business from home to save $$ on fuel. His boss called him last week and wanted to know if he was in the Oxnard office, he said No, I'm in my "home" office. Donkey Kong ( his boss...LOL... Our girls nick-named him that years ago) said I thought you were supposed to be in Oxnard today?! DH said I had planned on it but Dan (another manager) decided he didn't want to carpool (it was his turn to drive) and I can't see driving all that way when I can take care of what I need to from home.

A couple of weeks ago DH and Dan carpooled all week to Oxnard using our truck. Dan left his brand new H2 Hummer here at our house. I made a comment to DH... if he can afford the an H2, he should be able to afford the gas it takes to get to Oxnard and back! I asked if Dan offered to share the expense of gas to get there and back, DH said NO! I said you've got to be kidding me? DH said no, he never offered. Irks me! :mad:

Hugs,
Mae



OMG Mae
that would be a person whom nEver RODE WITH me again:rolleyes: I cannot believe the nerve of some people,let me take that back,because yes I can...Its amazing how people will just use others and not even offer so much as a crappy 5 dollar bill,man if he can afford that Hummer he can afford to share the gas:mad:

[bvanpeltsw]

Mae- Ask him to share responsibility. I think it is crazy how people take advantage of others. Makes me angry.:mad:

[utkd29]

Mae- Ask him to share responsibility. I think it is crazy how people take advantage of others. Makes me angry.:mad:

Yes it is! I have an H2 and I know the gas is EXPENSIVE, but I wouldnt dare hitch a ride and not offer to split the gas! That is rude!

[MandMnmbr3]

Thanks Mary, Brandy, and DeAnna. I too was raised with manners! When ever I ride with someone else in their car I either give them money for gas or pay for 1/2 of the gas in their car.

DH said Dan thinks because he (DH) will be going to the office anyways it's not a big deal! He also said, DH is reimbursed by the company so we really aren't paying for the gas! :eek:

Hugs,
Mae

[utkd29]

Thanks Mary, Brandy, and DeAnna. I too was raised with manners! When ever I ride with someone else in their car I either give them money for gas or pay for 1/2 of the gas in their car.

DH said Dan thinks because he (DH) will be going to the office anyways it's not a big deal! He also said, DH is reimbursed by the company so we really aren't paying for the gas! :eek:

Hugs,
Mae

My goodness!:eek: So is he still riding with your DH?

[Cpogie]

Thanks Mary, Brandy, and DeAnna. I too was raised with manners! When ever I ride with someone else in their car I either give them money for gas or pay for 1/2 of the gas in their car.

DH said Dan thinks because he (DH) will be going to the office anyways it's not a big deal! He also said, DH is reimbursed by the company so we really aren't paying for the gas! :eek:

Hugs,
Mae

That is an ignorant person, regardless if you get reimbursed, there is a thing called wear and tear on your vehicle, meaning tires, mileage, etc, the risk of having this person in the car and having an accident (I know this one! many years ago I drove my cousin to work with me, I had a minor accident going less than 5 miles an hour and she sued me! and, never mentioned it to me!! I only found out when my insurance dropped me.) etc...

[Motherofthree]

That is an ignorant person, regardless if you get reimbursed, there is a thing called wear and tear on your vehicle, meaning tires, mileage, etc, the risk of having this person in the car and having an accident (I know this one! many years ago I drove my cousin to work with me, I had a minor accident going less than 5 miles an hour and she sued me! and, never mentioned it to me!! I only found out when my insurance dropped me.) etc...

Oh my gosh Carol! Thats awful! What kind of a cousin is that to sue her own family!! Sorry hun.:eek:

[Cpogie]

Oh my gosh Carol! Thats awful! What kind of a cousin is that to sue her own family!! Sorry hun.:eek:

You know that old saying, what goes around, comes around? well after my cousin collected the money from the insurance company she went and had a new stereo put in her Mustang, new rims, tires, clothes, etc. a few months later she called me and asked if I wanted to go to the mountains and see the snow with her and her sister and other friends, I took a pass on that. Later that night my Aunt called and said Betty fell off the mountain and is in the hospital, my cousin had been standing at the side of the road, it was icy, the ice broke, she lost her footing and fell 400 Ft. down the mountain. She had to be rescued with a helicopter, she was in the hospital for over 4 months with a broken back, leg, pelvis. She had to learn to walk again after being flat on her back for months, wore a back brace for a year and the topper, she had no insurance! She paid that bill for years...back then they made sure they got their money! this was the late 60's....

[Motherofthree]

You know that old saying, what goes around, comes around? well after my cousin collected the money from the insurance company she went and had a new stereo put in her Mustang, new rims, tires, clothes, etc. a few months later she called me and asked if I wanted to go to the mountains and see the snow with her and her sister and other friends, I took a pass on that. Later that night my Aunt called and said Betty fell off the mountain and is in the hospital, my cousin had been standing at the side of the road, it was icy, the ice broke, she lost her footing and fell 400 Ft. down the mountain. She had to be rescued with a helicopter, she was in the hospital for over 4 months with a broken back, leg, pelvis. She had to learn to walk again after being flat on her back for months, wore a back brace for a year and the topper, she had no insurance! She paid that bill for years...back then they made sure they got their money! this was the late 60's....

Wow! That is right!!! What goes around DOES come around! Have you talked to them since then?

[bunny]

getting a nervous about the recession thing I just heard that some of the big box stores are starting to put limits on how much rice you can buy . I think that's mainly for restaurants but still it's a little scary

[momsangel]

getting a nervous about the recession thing I just heard that some of the big box stores are starting to put limits on how much rice you can buy . I think that's mainly for restaurants but still it's a little scary


I heard the same thing today and it included Sams ans Costcos as well, they want to limit your purchase to 20lbs of rice, stated that the food banks need access as well and the supply cannot be depleted

[bunny]

are you scared I try to stock up on stuff for the winter and this time of year is catch up time but I have been stocking what I can and using coupons . how long does a recession last anyway

[momsangel]

hum from what I have read and been told it can be just a few months to nearly a year:confused: will have to read some more into it.....

I always over shop and stock pile anyway so right now I would say I am fine,but if things do not change than I am not sure............

[leopat1010]

getting a nervous about the recession thing I just heard that some of the big box stores are starting to put limits on how much rice you can buy . I think that's mainly for restaurants but still it's a little scary

Actually, it's the reverse. Restaurants are not limited to rice purchases, retail consumers are limited.

I was royally ticked off when I heard this story on the news. I pay a high enough annual fee to have the "priviledge" of shopping at Sam's Club and now they are going to limit my purchases? Granted, I am not about to buy 10lbs of rice but that's not the point. The question is, what are they going to limit next? Last time I looked, I was living in the United States of America, not the Soviet Union, where a person has certain essential freedoms including buying as much rice as they want.

[MandMnmbr3]

My goodness!:eek: So is he still riding with your DH?

Sorry for the late reply. No! DH didn't tell him what offices he was going to be in this past week...LOL! Dan showed up at the Oxnard office about 30 minutes after DH and said, we could have carpooled today if I'd known you were going to be in this office. DH told him he had to drop our youngest daughter off at work so they wouldn't have been able to use our truck. Dan didn't say a word to him.

Hugs,
Mae

[MandMnmbr3]

That is an ignorant person, regardless if you get reimbursed, there is a thing called wear and tear on your vehicle, meaning tires, mileage, etc, the risk of having this person in the car and having an accident (I know this one! many years ago I drove my cousin to work with me, I had a minor accident going less than 5 miles an hour and she sued me! and, never mentioned it to me!! I only found out when my insurance dropped me.) etc...

:eek: OMGoodness Carol, that is HORRIBLE!!!!! I know one cousin I would have nothing to do with for the rest of my life!

Hugs,
Mae

[bunny]

Actually, it's the reverse. Restaurants are not limited to rice purchases, retail consumers are limited.

I was royally ticked off when I heard this story on the news. I pay a high enough annual fee to have the "priviledge" of shopping at Sam's Club and now they are going to limit my purchases? Granted, I am not about to buy 10lbs of rice but that's not the point. The question is, what are they going to limit next? Last time I looked, I was living in the United States of America, not the Soviet Union, where a person has certain essential freedoms including buying as much rice as they want.

thank you for clearing that up sorry for the wrong info. that is just wrong when you paid to shop in there store and then they limit you . I like sams for some things but our closest sams is like 1 and 1/2 hours away so with the gas prices it isn't worth the trip.

[bunny]

I just fond out from the manager of shoprite that the prices of groceries are going to skyrocket in the next couple of weeks. He warned me to stock up on what ever you can .

[bvanpeltsw]

I just fond out from the manager of shoprite that the prices of groceries are going to skyrocket in the next couple of weeks. He warned me to stock up on what ever you can .

I kinda figured that. I am stocking up like crazy and esp. with meats. If it is on sale then I am buying it.

[Cpogie]

I can't believe how much everything has gone up at the grocery store, I buy whats on sale, thankfully I can cook and be creative in the kitchen, but you almost have to be a magician now.

[bunny]

me too I am stocking up like nuts on everything I can toilettries,cleaners,dry goods, bottles juices,and canned goods, and baking goods,I am tring to figure out if it would be worth the expence to get a small freezer.

[bvanpeltsw]

me too I am stocking up like nuts on everything I can toilettries,cleaners,dry goods, bottles juices,and canned goods, and baking goods,I am tring to figure out if it would be worth the expence to get a small freezer.

Oh yeah I think it is definitely worth it. The price of beef has already increased.

[Chelle]

This is kind of embarrassing so please do not trash me here...I am a single mother of 4 ( was married 7 years to a mentally, physically and emotionally abusive man) I was never allowed to work. I got divorced and had a 28,000 attorney fee and no where to live and nothing to drive...I am so far behind right now I should think I am winning the race...I had to apply for food stamps...I sent in my recert things and I got a letter saying my bills were higher than my pay...I sent a letter back telling them I was well aware of that situation and a copy of my negative bank balance...they actually TOOK money from the food stamps...I don't even have the money on my food stamp card to feed my kids for 3 weeks more less my family for a month!!! I work 2 jobs and take care of my kids...and I am getting punished...if I had 6 kids and didn't work at all they would even give me cash assistance...what am I missing???

[bvanpeltsw]

This is kind of embarrassing so please do not trash me here...I am a single mother of 4 ( was married 7 years to a mentally, physically and emotionally abusive man) I was never allowed to work. I got divorced and had a 28,000 attorney fee and no where to live and nothing to drive...I am so far behind right now I should think I am winning the race...I had to apply for food stamps...I sent in my recert things and I got a letter saying my bills were higher than my pay...I sent a letter back telling them I was well aware of that situation and a copy of my negative bank balance...they actually TOOK money from the food stamps...I don't even have the money on my food stamp card to feed my kids for 3 weeks more less my family for a month!!! I work 2 jobs and take care of my kids...and I am getting punished...if I had 6 kids and didn't work at all they would even give me cash assistance...what am I missing???

I completely understand what you are saying. It is sad to say that some people would be better off NOT working than working 2 jobs to support their family. I see it everyday at the hospital I work at. There are families that work 2 or 3 jobs and have private medical insurance. The people who have Medicaid are offered hotel rooms if their baby has to stay in the hospital. The people with private insurance receive nothing. Funny how that works huh?

The govn't is backwards when it comes to awarding food stamps, SSI, etc.

I just don't get it. I have a hard time even explaining it to my patients (I am a social worker).

[utkd29]

This is kind of embarrassing so please do not trash me here...I am a single mother of 4 ( was married 7 years to a mentally, physically and emotionally abusive man) I was never allowed to work. I got divorced and had a 28,000 attorney fee and no where to live and nothing to drive...I am so far behind right now I should think I am winning the race...I had to apply for food stamps...I sent in my recert things and I got a letter saying my bills were higher than my pay...I sent a letter back telling them I was well aware of that situation and a copy of my negative bank balance...they actually TOOK money from the food stamps...I don't even have the money on my food stamp card to feed my kids for 3 weeks more less my family for a month!!! I work 2 jobs and take care of my kids...and I am getting punished...if I had 6 kids and didn't work at all they would even give me cash assistance...what am I missing???
that is exactly what I dont understand with the government. You are better off getting assistance if you just throw your hands up and give up. The more kids you have and the less you work the more they give you. I think it is a shame that it has come to this. There are people out there who need help but cant get it becasue of the lazy idiots that abuse the system:mad: . You hang in there. God will alway provide a way for you and your babies, it always works out somehow. :)

[Chelle]

I drive a Corolla...there are 6 members of my family...my car holds 5...I can't afford a new car, or even to trade mine in...and if I could....I couldn't afford gas for it....a recession....DEFINITELY...If anyone knows of "at home jobs" I guess I can take on a third!!! I thought about medical transcribing...anyone know anything about that??? The only reason I haven't done that is because one of my friends tried it and she said she never could get enough work to make it worth while...

[ALawicki]

I drive a Corolla...there are 6 members of my family...my car holds 5...I can't afford a new car, or even to trade mine in...and if I could....I couldn't afford gas for it....a recession....DEFINITELY...If anyone knows of "at home jobs" I guess I can take on a third!!! I thought about medical transcribing...anyone know anything about that??? The only reason I haven't done that is because one of my friends tried it and she said she never could get enough work to make it worth while...

A lady that I work with did the medical transcribing and she did pretty good with it. Now she works here doing dictation for us. Sorry to hear about your situation. I know people that are on food stamps and they spend it on stuff that they should not be getting. They had a BBQ for like 20 people with their food stamps. They also used to sell drugs and that made me mad cause you don't deserve anything if you do that. Plus they have 2 little kids and that is just wrong. I hope everything comes together for you (and I know that is saying alot, but it will happen eventually). I wish I knew some way of helping. Like you said though, you might not get enough work doing the medical transcribing there where you live, because it really does depend on your area.

[Chelle]

I know people like that too and the worst part is they are making enough money selling drugs to cover all their expenses and live REALLY well. I know someone in my area that makes 2,000 a weekend!!! that would pay ALL of my stuff for the whole freaken month and feed us...in ONE weekend...but I do not condone the use of illegal drugs and I don't want my kids doing them or them being around for my kids to acidentally get into so selling is out of the question for me!!!

[Chelle]

I couldn't even afford to feed 20 people in a bbq with what I get...I do a lot of hamburger helper...its cheap and it fills up the kiddos!!!

[Cpogie]

Maybe a local church would help you out, they sometimes have food banks too. One thing for sure, they will not let you go hungry.

[Chelle]

Yeah...but it's too embarrasing to actually show my face in those places and announce I can't afford to take care of my family...At least here ya'll have no clue who I am and will NEVER bump into me and know who I am and how poor I am!!!

[utkd29]

Yeah...but it's too embarrasing to actually show my face in those places and announce I can't afford to take care of my family...At least here ya'll have no clue who I am and will NEVER bump into me and know who I am and how poor I am!!!

Don't be ashamed of it. As long as you are doing everything in your power to provide for your family and you are still falling short, you should be proud of yourself for at least doing that. Like we mentioned before it is a lot easier to give up, but you don't. That's something to be proud of!

[danajc83]

Yeah...but it's too embarrasing to actually show my face in those places and announce I can't afford to take care of my family...At least here ya'll have no clue who I am and will NEVER bump into me and know who I am and how poor I am!!!
You shouldn't feel ashamed at all! I work at a church and there are tons of people who come in asking for help. That is what it is there for is to help you out when you need it! You might even check out http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
I have heard some good things about this program!

[bunny]

don't feel bad about asking for help to feed your family. sometimes we all need help wether it is financial or other wise. that is what the church is there for . I'm sure people would rather help somebody that is trying to help themselves. You are dong the right thing so don't be ashamed. on other threads you wrote how you helped other people so it's only fair that when you need the help it will come to you.

[bunny]

all the prices are really wearing people thin . I,m sure it's going to get worse before it gets any better.

[mood4amelody]

Just ran across this - more economic bad news:

[/URL]
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~4/279566925
[URL="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/279553115/gasoline-to-cost-10.html"]Gasoline to cost $10 a gallon in US soon? (http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/boingboing/iBag?a=4EU898)
Posted: 28 Apr 2008 01:17 PM CDT

The New York Sun reports that the price of gasoline in the US will soon be in line with what Europeans pay.Translating this price into dollars and cents at the gas pump, one of our forecasters, the chairman of Houston-based Dune Energy, Alan Gaines, sees gas rising to $7-$8 a gallon. The other, a commodities tracker at Weiss Research in Jupiter, Fla., Sean Brodrick, projects a range of $8 to $10 a gallon. While $7-$10 a gallon would be ground-breaking in America, these prices would not be trendsetting internationally. For example, European drivers are already shelling out $9 a gallon (which includes a $2-a-gallon tax).

Early last year, with a barrel of oil trading in the low $50s and gasoline nationally selling in a range of $2.30 to $2.50 a gallon, Mr. Gaines — in an impressive display of crystal ball gazing — accurately predicted oil was $100-bound and that gasoline would follow suit by reaching $4 a gallon.

His latest prediction of $200 oil is open to question, since it would undoubtedly create considerable global economic distress. Further, just about every energy expert I talk to cautions me to expect a sizable pullback in oil prices, maybe to between $50 and $70 a barrel, especially if there's a global economic slowdown.

While Mr. Gaines thinks there could be a temporary decline in the oil price, he's convinced an overall uptrend is unstoppable. In fact, he thinks his $200 forecast could be conservative, and that perhaps $250 could be reached. His reasoning: a combination of shrinking supply and increasing demand, especially from China, India, and America.
Link (http://www2.nysun.com/article/75363)

[mood4amelody]

And more bad news - :(

Load Up the Pantry
April 21, 2008 6:47 p.m.

I don't want to alarm anybody, but maybe it's time for Americans to start stockpiling food.
No, this is not a drill.
You've seen the TV footage of food riots in parts of the developing world. Yes, they're a long way away from the U.S. But most foodstuffs operate in a global market. When the cost of wheat soars in Asia, it will do the same here.
Reality: Food prices are already rising here much faster than the returns you are likely to get from keeping your money in a bank or money-market fund. And there are very good reasons to believe prices on the shelves are about to start rising a lot faster.
"Load up the pantry," says Manu Daftary, one of Wall Street's top investors and the manager of the Quaker Strategic Growth (http://online.wsj.com/fund/page/fund_snapshot.html?mod=art_fund&symbol=quagx) mutual fund. "I think prices are going higher. People are too complacent. They think it isn't going to happen here. But I don't know how the food companies can absorb higher costs." (Full disclosure: I am an investor in Quaker Strategic)
Stocking up on food may not replace your long-term investments, but it may make a sensible home for some of your shorter-term cash. Do the math. If you keep your standby cash in a money-market fund you'll be lucky to get a 2.5% interest rate. Even the best one-year certificate of deposit you can find is only going to pay you about 4.1%, according to Bankrate.com. And those yields are before tax.
Meanwhile the most recent government data shows food inflation for the average American household is now running at 4.5% a year.
And some prices are rising even more quickly. The latest data show cereal prices rising by more than 8% a year. Both flour and rice are up more than 13%. Milk, cheese, bananas and even peanut butter: They're all up by more than 10%. Eggs have rocketed up 30% in a year. Ground beef prices are up 4.8% and chicken by 5.4%.
These are trends that have been in place for some time.
And if you are hoping they will pass, here's the bad news: They may actually accelerate.
The reason? The prices of many underlying raw materials have risen much more quickly still. Wheat prices, for example, have roughly tripled in the past three years.
Sooner or later, the food companies are going to have to pass those costs on. Kraft saw its raw material costs soar by about $1.25 billion last year, squeezing profit margins. The company recently warned that higher prices are here to stay. Last month the chief executive of General Mills, Kendall Powell, made a similar point.
The main reason for rising prices, of course, is the surge in demand from China and India. Hundreds of millions of people are joining the middle class each year, and that means they want to eat more and better food.
A secondary reason has been the growing demand for ethanol as a fuel additive. That's soaking up some of the corn supply.
You can't easily stock up on perishables like eggs or milk. But other products will keep. Among them: Dried pasta, rice, cereals, and cans of everything from tuna fish to fruit and vegetables. The kicker: You should also save money by buying them in bulk.
If this seems a stretch, ponder this: The emerging bull market in agricultural products is following in the footsteps of oil. A few years ago, many Americans hoped $2 gas was a temporary spike. Now it's the rosy memory of a bygone age.
The good news is that it's easier to store Cap'n Crunch or cans of Starkist in your home than it is to store lots of gasoline. Safer, too.
Write to Brett Arends at brett.arends@wsj.com (brett.arends@wsj.com)

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120881517227532621-lMyQjAxMDI4MDI4NTgyMTU1Wj.html

[momsangel]

i already do this:)

[bvanpeltsw]

This is all HORRIBLE!:mad:

[bvanpeltsw]

I just talked to my friend who is a higher up at Albertson's Grocery Stores.....Lynne's post is right. Stockpile everyone....I did not hear good news at all.

[momsangel]

I just talked to my friend who is a higher up at Albertson's Grocery Stores.....Lynne's post is right. Stockpile everyone....I did not hear good news at all.


good thing you did Brandy, thankfully i do this out of habit:o

[bvanpeltsw]

good thing you did Brandy, thankfully i do this out of habit:o

I already stockpile, but I am going to pile up the freezer with frozen stuff now.

[bunny]

i am stock piling what ever i can I'm worried about this for all of us but especially our kids if it gets this bad for us what will they face.I have also heard about the gas going up to 10.00 a gallon . Who can afford to go to work with those prices.

[momsangel]

everyone should consider stocking up on extras

i think the prices are only going to get higher:(

[leopat1010]

Personally, from past experience, meaning having lived through past recessions, panic sets in (thanks in great part to the media) then people make a run on foodstuffs and staples, then there is even more shortages and then there is yet more price increases because of supply and demand.
Am I stockpiling? No. What I am doing is stopping to buy anything that is absolutely not necessary. I am using coupons on everything. If I don't have a coupon it's hardly likely I will buy it. I will only purchase poultry and seafood on sale. I hardly ever buy meat because I avoid eating it for reasons other than price. I am shopping in club stores for bulk items. I am shopping in off-price food stores. I am cooking almost every single meal and not wasting anything. Nothing goes to waste. Leftovers can be very creative dishes.
All of this is nothing different then what I have done all my life. I have followed this path because this is what my mother did and is what I grew up knowing. I am more fortunate than my mother was because I have more options on where to shop (club stores) and using coupons for example. My point is, the mentality she had was to always save and to never waste.
After all is said and done my mother knew best and she learned because she lived through the Great Depression. Thankfully, her lifestyle followed her throughout her life and I continue her legacy of how to live a moderate, yet happy lifestlye.

[Chelle]

I know Publix has a lot of buy one get one free items in their store...if you watch your coupons and your sale papers you can get a LOT of items for a LOT less than you would normally pay. Example... Duncan Hines ( great example huh...things that are not necessary!!!) anyway....BOGO...they are 1.59 per box....so you have 2 @ 1.59...then you use the $1.00 coupon from the news paper or off line and you end up paying .59 and getting 2 boxes of cake mix/ brownie mix...same goes for the green giant canned goods...buy 10 save a dollar and get them as BOGO...that has helped me A LOT recently...I could save the .59 and use it on something NECESSARY...but my kids love me lots more when they eat their dinner and I insist on seconds...and its a brownie instead!!!

[mood4amelody]

This article was really well written! Just a heads up. Crops like corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton - that means that prices will start to immediately increase out of insecurity and then be at insane levels just shortly after harvest would have arrived because the middle men have started rushing around looking for raw materials for production. Bread, meat, milk, eggs, pork, fabrics, chicken, q-tips (a little joke for levity - sigh), etc. are all going to turn into luxuries right quick. :( Sorry I couldn't stop the bold print, so I lightened it. :rolleyes:

Mississippi River flooding dooms farmers

855,750 acres are under water, the worst since 1973

updated 10:26 a.m. CT, Mon., April. 28, 2008
REDWOOD, Miss. - Farmers here are experiencing water torture as they wait for the flooded Mississippi River to recede and give them a chance to salvage what's left of what might have been the best season in memory.
The muddy Mississippi is at levels not seen in more than three decades, putting hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland under water. It's impossible to gauge overall agricultural losses at this point, federal and state officials say, but most agree the cost will be expensive and the damage extensive.
At Pig Willie's barbecue joint, a cinderblock and cement floor affair attached to a gas station along Highway 61 as the blacktop begins its long, flat run through the Delta, independent farmers recently gathered for lunch and to share their blues.

"Right here in this room it will cost over $1 million," Karsten Simrall said of the difficulties facing farmers. They are wagering potential profits offered by some of the richest soil in the country against the whims of the mercurial Mississippi.
"It'll take us five years to get out of this. It's going to put people out of business," Simrall said. "There's no telling what's going to happen."
The river has not reached this level — about 7 feet above flood stage — since 1973.
855,750 acres swamped
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says a total of 855,750 acres are under either Mississippi floodwater or backwater from the Yazoo River, which drains much of the board-flat Mississippi Delta into the Mississippi River. About 273,000 of those flooded acres are cleared for wheat, cotton, soybeans, corn and other crops.
Simrall recently knocked a hole in a levee his family built more than a century ago to protect their land north of Vicksburg. After failing to keep water out, he feared it will keep in receding floodwaters.
The flood hit just as farmers were preparing to harvest wheat and plant corn, soybeans and cotton. Some, like farmer Brad Bradway, were forced to watch as water crept inch by inch over his 110 acres of wheat until his fields sat under 8 feet of water.
Others are now stuck waiting for the water to recede and the ground to dry before they can plant, guaranteeing a shortened growing season, yield reductions and lower returns. This comes after a drought has left much of the region parched for several years.
"At one point I had 300 acres under water and 240 acres too dry to plant," Bradway said. "What's wrong with this picture?"
Weather is just part of the problem.



http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/ap/2842feb8-97b9-4c5d-9da3-5fe8d14d64c7.small.jpgRogelio V. Solis / AP



"It'll take us five years to get out of this. It's going to put people out of business," says farmer Karsten Simrall.
Input costs such as fuel and fertilizer have risen dramatically in just a few months. Diesel around Vicksburg costs more than $4 a gallon — or more than $100 per tank for the ubiquitous diesel pickup — and fertilizer that went for $68 an acre last season now runs $100.
Simrall planted 1,700 acres of corn that was about a foot tall when floodwaters covered 1,200 of those acres. He's out $120,000 already and doesn't know if the Mississippi River will recede fast enough for him to salvage that acreage.
He's not alone. The flood has taken not only money farmers invested in the field, but much of the profit they expected. Worse, most sold their crops in advance to take advantage of prices so high few could resist.
Bradway sold 1,000 bushels of winter wheat to a distributor for $7 a bushel. When the flood took his crop, he was still on the hook. So he paid $10.50 a bushel to another distributor for wheat to satisfy his contract. He hopes to turn a profit on soybeans this summer.
Looking for 'exit strategy'
"I'm trying to design an exit strategy because I'm tired of it," Bradway said.
The farmers believe there's a simple solution to the flooding.
The Environmental Protection Agency is threatening to veto the Yazoo Backwater project that would pump excess water out of the Yazoo River wetlands during floods. Critics say the project will hurt the environment and threaten endangered species.
The veto would break a promise farmers and many area residents believe was made to them when the corps begin to harness the Mississippi with a massive levee system. While the levees keep the river in check, they say much of the benefit is upstream and at their expense.
A corps spokesman says if the Yazoo project were in place, it would have pumped about 4 feet of water off currently flooded land. That would have made quite the difference for Mississippi farmers who work inside the levee system.
Bradway has farmed the same 1,000 acres for three decades. He's had floods big and small in 14 of those 30 years.
This latest, greatest flood cost him $25,000 out of pocket and $45,000 in potential earnings. He wonders if this flood could be the last for Sherman's Defeat Plantation, the site of the Union scourge's only loss during the Civil War.
"I'm trying to keep it from becoming Bradway's Defeat," he said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24351854/

[bunny]

wow, I really feel bad for those farmers and there families. Unfortunately there miss fortune well be everybody's in a very short period of time.the worst is there is very little any of us can do to help them or in time help ourselves. I guess we just have to hang on and hope we can weather out the storm.

[mood4amelody]

wow, I really feel bad for those farmers and there families. Unfortunately there miss fortune well be everybody's in a very short period of time.the worst is there is very little any of us can do to help them or in time help ourselves. I guess we just have to hang on and hope we can weather out the storm.

Yup, that's my motto - Just hold the family close and keep on trying.