Sunday, February 22, 2009

Our Own "Stimulus Package"

So, there's much talk about the economy, bailouts, stimulus package and it seems the news media is reporting every single hiccup, burp and event taking place in Washington D.C. I for one, don't think that it is the governments job to bail out anyone, especially big companys with CEO making salaries that would feed a small country.
My better half and I sat down yesterday to see what we could do to stimulate our own economy. There are things we have talked about for some time, but we decided to take the hard stand now.

Good bye Dish TV! Good riddance! Sure I hope I don't miss 100 channels of shopping networks. I know I will miss reruns of NCIS, Mark Harmon is such a good actor and I have a thing for gray hair, but tough times call for tough measures.
Good bye Netflix! Only $10.00 a month, but we just can't figure out movies to watch, there's such poor entertainment these days.
Good bye insurance on the cell phones. Such a waste. If we really have to we can get one off ebay.
Discussed getting rid of the cell phone, but decided that for now we'll keep it.

Savings per month.......about $130.00.

We also went through our statements carefully and found that there were two different items being taken out that we weren't aware of. One of them was only $10 a month, but for the past 15 months it was something we didn't need. Called the company, they said, woops and refunded us $150.00. The other company said they wouldn't refund us $11.95 a month for the past year, but we cancelled them. So add another $21.00 to the $130.00 above.

We also decided to rent the apartment again....sigh....I loved having a canning kitchen. I love having the extra space for junk, but that's some valuable real estate that could be used for other things and this house is plenty big for just the 3 of us.

I also went to Albertsons to see if I could get excited about the BIG huge coupon sale they were having this week. I looked and looked and tried to get excited about the HUGE savings. I even put stuff in my cart. But then put it back and walked out of the store empty-handed. I just don't buy that kind of groceries, so would it be a savings? Sure, cake mixes were about 75 cents, but make my own cakes for much less. I don't eat Progresso soup, I don't need fruit roll ups, and don't buy boxed cereal. I know people were going out of there with cases and cases of the stuff, but nothing made me happy.

I also decided that we'll be eating less meats and more dried beans and veggies. Eating more of my home canned goods if we need a snack. Those peaches are delicious.

Maybe one of these days we'll get rid of the cell phone or the land line, or maybe I'll have a huge yard sale and get rid of a bunch of junk.

My better half is required to take a week-long furlough between now and the end of May...without pay. Better that than a layoff, but it's a little scary out there!

Just trying to be prepared for the wild ride we seem to be having!

13 comments:

Kirsten said...

So, you wanna know the funniest thing?! I am TOTALLY watching an NCIS rerun right now while I'm reading this! Seriously! I LOVE Mark Harmon! You can come watch it any time you want! Paul and I DVR 'em! We'll make popcorn and have a party!

MZ said...

I love this post. We are going to do the same process. Too much waste going on. When we get home I might see if there are any things Howard can help us with on our RMC computers.

The Karrens said...

What good ideas. Makes me think about what we can do to not waste money. Like living with my Mom and Dad for a couple of months until we know where we are going. Those peaches sound good. I hope you will let me have a taste when we get back.

Jan said...

I love your ideas alot. I have 2 families that I know that are giving up the tv as well. I will see if we do that too. I haven't had a cell phone for 3 years now. I am alive still. I think about that savings.

Great post. Thanks.

Only Girl said...

Ya its very crazy. Im so glad and thankful everday that my husband comes home and has made it threw another day. Its everwhere and you just dont know whats around the corner.

Kim said...

My husband and I have been doing the pre stimulus talk ourselves and I sure am having a hard time wanting to get rid of my Law and Orders--but tough times do call for tough measures. Our rough spot is our Credit Cards. We are waiting to do our taxes b/c we don't have all our forms in yet, so we are planning to get rid of those first and then we will see what other things we can live without.

Love this post! Thanks for stopping by my blog--yours is great!

Is that the Rexburg Temple on your side bar? We were there almost a year ago for our nieces wedding and it is absolutly beautiful

Kim said...

Yes I have been to Half Moon Bay--my husband grew up there and when his parents were still alive we would go there often. I miss the place, but I will always have the memories.

When you emailed me I accidently deleted your email address, can you get it to me. It is so nice to talk with a fellow nurse. I am an LPN working on the MS floor. I graduated with my ADN last may and have taken my boards 3 times and will once again be taking them soon. I don't know when. I have no energy but my energy will soon return and next time will be the charm. How long have you been a nurse? I want to earn my BS through BYUI someday. Not sure how soon, but it will be soon enough.

We have 1 niece and 1 nephew along with their spouses that live in Rexburg. One set of them is Doug and Cate Hopkins and the other set is Eric and Allie Baron. Maybe you MIGHT know them? Eric's dad is an Institute teacher on campus and I hear he is fabulous.

Thanks for letting me chat and thanks for stopping by--I love meeting new people and making new friends.

Talk with you later

JoAnn said...

You are so wise. Great ideas. We've relooked at the budget several times too and tried to cut out the fat. I think it's probably good for us --- wow, I can't believe I just admitted that...

Jenn G. said...

Thank you for your nice comment regarding my blog...tune in, I'm home from my trip and ready to start blogging again!
Happy St. Patty's Day...Egan is Irish is it not? :-)
Plain and Simple Organizer
Jennifer

Unknown said...

Oh, you brave soul! My husband and I are in fierce negotiations over the DVR, and I'm astonished at how much a deal-breaker it is for both of us. He even played the PATRIARCH card. Clearly, the gloves are off.

It was great to meet you on my blog! Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself and say something kind!

Tiffany said...

Well hello! I's SO good to hear from you! How is everything? How's the Bishop?! We just love you guys. It's so fun reading your blog. I will have to add it to my site and check it more often. Thanks for saying hi! Tell Candice I said hello!

Unknown said...

I love all your great ideas. I wish we could get rid of Dish, but my hubby is toooo hooked on hockey. Which by the was is $125.00for the "all hockey all the time" drives me nuts! aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I'll have to go through everything and see where else I can cut.

Come down this summer and we'll have a hugh garage sale (get some other bloggers)

I'm moving right now and making a huge area in the storage shed for stuff to sell. WOO HOO

People just can't resist a bargain

Unknown said...

Oops, I forgot to tell you thank you for the nice comment and dropping by my blog. I will be "stalking" you now lady. HA