Just wanna say...

[Alley DeRosas]

That I hope everyone is doing well....I know that these are really rough times in our Country with the economy in the toilet and the cost of living going up and not our paychecks....I just hope that yall know everything is gonna be alright....

[Nina]

Great post! I'm one of the lucky few who has a government job and it takes an act of congress to get fired from, not that I'm gonna push it. I've got some really good friends that are barely hanging in there with their finances and it hurts my heart that I can't really help them as I'm living paycheck to paycheck. I do what I can for them though! It helps though when I saw the price of gas today, $2.97, I haven't seen it that low in about a year and a half!

[Dynamite Dames Photography]

Alley De Rosas said:

Not sure where you live....But You might want to try buying your fruits and veggies at ethnic stores...For some reason veggies are cheaper there...But products such as cereal and such, you know those things you cant live with out that are brand name...I would go to like walmart...Those types of products are cheaper there...I went from spending like $300.00 a month on groceries to spending $150.00 a month...Rice, beans, tortillas, and ground beef go a loooooong way...

UltimateFetish said:

Yeah but America is lucky, it's more expensive elsewhere! Our economy still sucks though!

Amanda said:

Ugh Gas is killing my mom and I. We have one car.. and an hour and half drive twice a day. Spending $40 every other day on gas isn't the best. Which is partly why we are moving back haha.
I can't believe it when I go to stores and see outragious prices for every day items that we need. Seems like every other day something else has gone up dramatically.
Scary.
Good luck to everyone.

Thats so true! Ethnic stores are awesome for produce.. WAY CHEAPER. So are farmers markets. It definately helps when you have to pinch everything here and there.

Now, does anyone have a suggestion when you have 8 kids b day parties in 2 weeks?!? hah. Those are really a killer!

[Golden Browne]

I think as long as us pinup keep smiling the USA will make it through... Let's smile for our country, Girls!

[Wink Holliday]

I was "reorganized" out of my job two months ago next week. Now I'm trying to make a go of it myself, in part because the local listings are so depressing. There are a couple of companies hiring for my skills/experience, but for half of my previous salary. Unfortunately, the bank won't cut my mortgage payment in half to match. ;) So, I look for contract gigs (two so far with my previous employer) and even managed to score one as a barter with an organic produce distributor. That works out for both of us, tax-wise!

Friends ask how I'm emotionally handling it so well, and I'll admit that it's partially denial. My severance hasn't run out yet, so I haven't felt the pinch. But also: I am confident that things will all work out. What's the option? Losing my home? I have a little money in the bank, and I'm willing to do what it takes to get by. I'll be okay.

Right?

[Cassie Wanda]

Super sweet. You too!!!

[Wink Holliday]

Had my hair done yesterday. Worked harder today than I have for the last week. There IS a correlation!

Pin-ups Hair Design Inc. said:

Be positive. Work hard. Have your hair done regularly!

[Alley DeRosas]

DDP......
Um, How about you have ONE huge party for all of them..... Maybe bake the cake (s) yourself...I wouldnt spend $20.00 on one cake....also go to the dollar store for decorations and for certain items like 1 liter cokes and snacks, candys, and house hold items....also for main dish you might want to do simple stuff like hot dogs and tator tots from walmart...Also, dont be affraid to ask the kids parents to participate make it a pot luck...Thats what we do....

Dynamite Dames Photography said:

Alley De Rosas said:

Not sure where you live....But You might want to try buying your fruits and veggies at ethnic stores...For some reason veggies are cheaper there...But products such as cereal and such, you know those things you cant live with out that are brand name...I would go to like walmart...Those types of products are cheaper there...I went from spending like $300.00 a month on groceries to spending $150.00 a month...Rice, beans, tortillas, and ground beef go a loooooong way...

UltimateFetish said:

Yeah but America is lucky, it's more expensive elsewhere! Our economy still sucks though!

Amanda said:

Ugh Gas is killing my mom and I. We have one car.. and an hour and half drive twice a day. Spending $40 every other day on gas isn't the best. Which is partly why we are moving back haha.
I can't believe it when I go to stores and see outragious prices for every day items that we need. Seems like every other day something else has gone up dramatically.
Scary.
Good luck to everyone.

Thats so true! Ethnic stores are awesome for produce.. WAY CHEAPER. So are farmers markets. It definately helps when you have to pinch everything here and there.

Now, does anyone have a suggestion when you have 8 kids b day parties in 2 weeks?!? hah. Those are really a killer!

[Alley DeRosas]

True, one must always look their best while going through tuff times....I helps you feel better...
Pin-ups Hair Design Inc. said:

Be positive. Work hard. Have your hair done regularly!