Well it seems as though everyone out here in the blogs are weathering this economy really well. Some people have had setbacks, but just temporary ones. No one has admitted to going on shopping sprees..no new cars...nothing crazy. For myself- I have shut down the house hunting. And that's a BIG attitude change considering how much this 'want' was consuming me!
Baseball boy and I are treading water right now. Considering neither one of us has a job...I'm pretty impressed with us. He's been focusing on healing from the surgery (maybe it's a WE have been focused...since I drive him around, take him to PT, get him ice for the knee, grocery shop, took over all household chores..)
And I have listed about 20 items on ebay. A few items have been shipped off- many are waiting for bidding to end. I kind of decided to forget about getting offended at the selling prices of the items and just list them ridiculously low to get the items out of here (though I know my selling tactics drive down the prices for all other sellers out there who need the money to feed their kids...I apologize sellers.)
So far...grand total deducting fees and shipping...$5 profit. But it's not as bad as it sounds, I purchased 2 things off ebay (see..I do put the money right back into other sellers hands!) and have about $300 coming once biddings end.
But since we are unemployed, we have both been very good about budgeting. There have been a few 'bad things' like take out and eating out- but not much. So far for the month we have spent just about exactly my rental income and BB's last paycheck from baseball. If I only spend $30 more this month (1 week to go!) I will NOT use my credit card!
Excluding wedding stuff. Wedding stuff goes in another catagory to be paid off in the month or two proceeding the event.
On top of that, Baseball boy's parents had a garage sale this weekend and included some items I had left at their place for storage (I really didnt want the items)and so "I" made $100! Should I send them a gift card or something for their effort? They were selling their own stuff, but...I'm not sure what I should do in this case.
PS. I like that you all are posting your stock investment information. My information comes to me 1x a month through the mail. I am curious to do a comparision to see how my investments are doing.
My personal economy...
September 21st, 2008 at 09:47 am
September 21st, 2008 at 04:21 pm 1222014063
September 21st, 2008 at 05:40 pm 1222018859
September 21st, 2008 at 06:57 pm 1222023438
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:45 am 1222044349
Many of us look online on our accounts - esp if you are in with the biggies - Vanguard, Fidelity, T Rowe, even Ameriprise. The net asset values (NAVs), and stock prices are updated nightly. Check your statement for a web address, and see if you can set up an online account for yourself.
September 22nd, 2008 at 05:55 am 1222062946
And as for house hunting- the economy is making it a good time to buy- but I just dont think buying a house is right for us right now. Being surrounded by so many failing homeowners makes me very nervous about taking on the responcibility. I want to have a good cushion of cash before making that purchase, and I want to be sure I have 20% to put down.