I've been doing some reading over at www.econowhiner.com which is both cathartic and useful. What I think I love best is when they reviewed various tinned tunas. Paying $2 for a can of tuna fish was considered okay. There have been a number of times in my life where I enjoyed lovely, soaked in olive-oil, imported tuna from Italy or France. Some were lovingly fished, by accountable companies. However, far more often I've been purchasing Kroger brand cans of tuna for $0.53.
I can't cut down on my deluxe gourmet cable consumption -- I haven't ever owned a television of my own, and occasionally I've chipped in for cable with room mates, but I've never had the luxury of 10,000 channels and HBO. The last two places I lived there wasn't a television in residence at all, and I only missed it when more than two people wanted to watch a movie -- the laptop screen was a little small.
The thermostat is hovering at 65 degrees -- most of my households have been lucky if it was at 68 degrees, and more commonly we all wandered around bundled up with the heat set to 60, the windows covered in plastic sheeting, and with piles of blankets on beds.
I can cut back on getting food out, or already prepared, but I cook usually twice a day, every day of the week. Dinners, unless they're for special occasions, are always potluck. I may as well ban myself from coffee shops (sigh) and continue baking my own bread. I already cook with bulk rice and bulk beans, and eat lots of tofu. Cutting expensive meat out? It's never been there. I have had to reduce my consumption of imported cheese, and given the price for even junk cheddar from Schnucks is evil, it's easier to go further vegan than I was. Drinking less and drinking lower caliber alcohol has helped the bank account as well. Drinking while out? Completely off the radar. I'll enjoy my $3/bottle wine at home, with fresh foccacia.
I already drive a two door Honda, which is gas efficient and well-maintained, and I combine errands. With some detailed time spent, I'll figure out metro link and get back on a bicycle. This is courtesy of my militant-biking room mate, who is loaning me one of hers. No, it doesn't actually 'fit' me, it's a bit tall, but I'll make do. If I didn't work nights, I would be more than happy to park it, but given that I get off work at 4 or 5 a.m. or go into work at 4 or 5 a.m., it's just not conducive to A) transit or B) carpooling.
Even the cats have had to cut back. No more delicious tinned cat chow for them, especially since they've both finally achieved a healthy weight.
I'm already a library-user, and have always been. Checking out CDs, DVDs, and books has been a constant. I've purchased almost every book used for years, excepting those written by Marie Brennan, 'cause I know her, she's an author, and I wanted to support her. Also, I <3 her books.
Welcome to the Pirate Land, where I've been underemployed, underpaid, or both, oh, since July. This isn't whining, or suffering. I have a roof over my head, affordable rent, a car of my own (mostly), and the ability to cook for myself, entertain myself with yarn and books, and live in a city both sort of bike and transit friendly. The recession might be here, and it may curtail old-school or classic fun, but I'm ready to invent fun.
