The Upside of a Bad Economy

I no longer care if the kids are clothed from the local good will store. I have found all their school clothes therir the last 2 years. We only shop at Aldi and a local save a lot store for out food. It saves us time and we don't spend the extra money at the "big" store by buying what we don't need.

We enjoy the park so much more now! we have ventured to almost every park in our town and have to brag that we now know the best parks to hang out in; We are meeting with friends for picnics or just hanging out with the kids to practice soccer. I have even taken up walking on the beautiful paths that a couple of our parks have! So not only are we saving money on those extra cariculars, i'm losing some excess weight as well.

Our libraries are packed now. So many programs to help with homework, job searches, free computer time and lessons, general activities, even a crafting group, and the local hospital puts on a once a month educational health seminar there too. I've noticed more people doing their own yard work instead of using landscaping crews like they used to, it's made our neighborhood closer since people are outside, saying hello, and meeting their neighbors.

Frugal, I am becoming the Queen of Cheap! Cut out the cable and go rent free videos at the library. Apparently I'm not the only one because the library is PACKED every day! I have returned to reading great books and I feel so much better with less stress. Our library cards are used more than our credit card now! DH and I love taking walks, play board games and actually speak to each other. The bad economy saved my marriage :)

i would like to say that i have been really broke in cause the bad economy is the same as its allways been for me i was a single mom with 5 kids and i had to learn how to cut corners on everything on the the week end me and my kids would spend time outside explorering i allways cooked at home my kids didnt go to a drive threw untill they got grown and payed for it i really enjoyed my kids and got to know them really well when they were young we cooked and played together so i believe the bad economy is what its gonna take to bring familys together at the dinner table my kids loved to fold clothes when they were little lol

I am just greatful everyday for life health and strength.

Well the economy has caused us to be even more frugal than I was before. I have taught my kids to be economical because the less you spend for something... the more money in your pocket. I live in the country... so this helps us in some ways. We butcher a cow and a hog every year which provides a years worth of meat at an economical price . Plus it taste better! We grow a small garden. That helps some. I use coupons and before grocery shopping go to the retailers web site to see if there are any coupons on the things I need. I sign up for free samples , coupon sites etc. I have started buying dishwasher detergent and putting it in a container and using one tablespoon. Surprisingly one tablespoon will do it. Think of all the times you just pour it in there. Instead of buying spraying wash I buy Zote soap for $1.00 and it gets stains out better than anything I have tried. I cook homecooked meals and ebay off stuff we don't use. You can be frugal but it does take time and effort.

having always been frugal and basically cheap, it is nice to see that I am no longer "weird" or 'odd" for shopping at thrift stores, and looking in the clearance bins. Only problem though is the deals are harder to come by because there are so many people out there doing the same thing :)

I've always been a person compares price and look for the best value for my money. So, this really it's much difference as to how or what I do. With being blessed to have the things I do. I don't shop alot or spend just because. If, you have clothes you can't fit try selling them, or a talent you can use to make money like sewing, singing, cleaning, etc.

I am the COUPON QUEEN, love EBAY, and shop sales! Oh wait, I was doing that even BEFORE the economy got bad! We've always saved money because that is my goal in life! lol

Really nice article! :) stores like TJ MAXX and Marshalls have become my best friend for cute clothing for ANYONE at any age, just look a little deeper and you will come out winning.

To make extra money, I have cleaned out my closets & took my unwanted items to a resale shop. All you have to do is contact a resale shop, see if their taking clothes. Some ask that they're clean & ironed if needed. And then the 1st of every month I get a check. Less clutter for me, & money in my pocket. And whatever is left of my clothes is donated to a charity. For those of you who are on a tight budget...I always shop the clearance rack...there's nothing wrong with saving a bunch on clothes, for you, your spouse, & your kids. I recommend you also go to the resale shop. we have one & everything is clean & most of the clothes look new. Yard sales are also a neat way to make money & buy things.

I plan all my errands so as to save gas.

Try picnic lunches int he park with your family, its a great way to save money, spend time together and enjoy the great outdoors. Take a baseball or football and have fun with the kids.

My family has trouble with the gas prices the most. We really miss our long Sunday drives and our fising trips. But I have to say we have it better then a lot of folks.