All across the news, Internet and newspapers I hear the word “economy” and differing opinions whether it’s up, down, or stable. It’s too much for me to internalize all at once. I do know that food and gas prices are fluctuating, mostly up within the last 2 years, and it’s becoming more difficult to stretch my dollar.
I remember when I was in Girl Scouts during my freshman year of high school we were given each 2 dollars and pulled another girl’s name from a hat. We were given the challenge of buying a gift for our secret scout using only the 2 bucks, including tax. The girl who was the most creative and returned with no change would also earn a bonus prize. I did it. Luckily, it was Girl Scout cookie time, so I bought a box of thin mints for $1.75 and a gumball ring for 25 cents.
At my last job, I only received a paycheck once a month and it was usually all but spent by the 20th of every month. I had to stretch $100 or less for another 10 or 11 days. All the single income people were in the same boat. I’m facing the same boat without oars since I moved in early July and spent my one paycheck on regular monthly expenses for one house, moving expenses (from Virginia to Ohio) and paying for new household expenses. I was broke before the 15th and didn’t even know it.
Fortunately, I did get a partial paycheck from my new job and have only spent minimal amounts of supplying food for 2 people, but one is a teenage boy, and a dog; gas for my car, and eating out once or twice. Recently, I was out and about returning one item for another and buying just a couple household things from Walmart. Would you believe I bought four needed items for just 6 bucks! However, on the drive home I got that “I’m so hungry that I think I’m going to have an epileptic seizure” attacks. I had to stop for some sustenance and I was tired of McDonald’s “dollar” menu, which isn’t a true dollar menu in a metropolitan area. I saw a well-known ice cream chain and went straight to the drive thru; low and behold they offered a cheeseburger for 1 dollar! In fact it was cheaper than a small creamy ice cream cone. The girl on the speaker politely asked if I would like to try their dollar cheeseburger, “Yes, I’ll take one!” I replied anxiously. It came complete with the basics of ketchup, mustard and pickle – simple, yet affordable.
Oh, I was so delighted when I took that first bite as I waited for oncoming traffic to pass; the burger tasted better than any fast food nuked version, and without the saturated fat dripping from the bun. Ohhh, I was tempted to do a U turn and order another one. It was only 1 dollar – thankfully this suburb doesn’t add take out taxes because it was well worth the green I had in my ashtray.
My determination is to identify what the average American can buy for only 1 dollar and its value whether to satisfy hunger, addiction, craving, need or want. I’ll continue to add to this post of my discoveries and I hope you will give me your dollar’s worth too!
Let’s boost the economy one dollar at a time.
Now that I have that off my chest!!!!
Here is what I am doing to boost the economy. My idea of a modest lunch at Wendy’s or McDonalds consists of a chicken wrap and side salad for a mere $2.00. Both places have decent salads. It’s also easy on the calories.
The best lunches though are leftovers from the meal I cooked the night before!
This time of the year, I support local farm markets, grow herbs in my backyard to flavor my budget meals. I try to support local merchants as well since I live in a small town.
Whenever ice cream is on sale two for the price of one at our local grocery, I buy two different flavors. The cost of two half gallons of ice cream is just a little more two ice cream cones at Dairy Queen and lasts alot longer.
I borrow DVD’s from the local library, actually I belong to two libraries, no cost to join and one doesn’t charge any late fees because I am over “60″. There are some perks to getting older, I can get coffee for 50 cents at McD’s or BK.
Also, I shop the grocery ads, only buying those items on sale that I really use or need.
Dollar General is another place that I often find items I frequently use that are even cheaper than WalMart.
When my friend and I get together for lunch or dinner, we will often split an order.
In our small community we have several charity events that offer food as a means of raising money and I try to support those that I have an interest in by purchasing the burgers, chicken or whatever they are offering. Feel I am giving and supporting the local economy at the same time.
Thank you for your thoughtful commentary.
Hanging Tough in Ohio
I too, feel the crunch of my dollar when it comes to putting gas in my car with a 32 mile round trip commute. The $20 it takes to put a quarter tank of gas in my car, does not seem to last long. I am a single, 62 year old grandmother planning to keep on working as long as I am able.
Recently, I listened to a commentary on TV pointing out that we have become a society of consumers, piling up debt that we will never pay off in our lifetime. We are bombarded on TV, radio, ads, the internet with “things” to buy, buy, buy! We have made it too easy to get a credit card, recently made it too easy to get a mortgage loan to buy a house. Corporate CEO’s reap huge bonuses while the average worker has their hourly pay reduced, health benefits taken away. We pay our teachers poorly, give them little respect or support and expect them to teach our children responsibilty and respect. The virutes they should be learning at home. We pay movie/TV stars and musicans huge amounts of money to entertain us. Our children are especially targeted with the latest electronic gadets that are “must haves” because all the other kids have them. After I was divorced, I had difficulty getting a credit card. Finally, I was approved with a $500 limit. That limit rose every year and I got offers from other credit cards and found myself in debt way over my head. I have paid most of it back, but it has taken me years. I regret not being smarter about “borrowing” on credit, but I mostly regret not being smarter about saving. We need to become a nation of savers. I taught a CCD class of third graders and they at 9 yrs old, got all the computer games. i.e. XBox, Wii, that my grandson did not get until he was in junior high. The gap is closing fast between childhood and adulthood. We are losing the family foundations that made this country a great nation. Our dollar is weakened abroad, China is buying US real estate, investing in US companies. The president we’ve had the past 8 years, I truly believe has contributed to much of the economic pain we have today with the economic policies he pushed through congress. I pray that our next president will be a beacon of light to guide us out of this mess…… it will take EVERYONE to make it happen. Pehaps this is not the response you were asking for, but this my feeling on our present economy.
Hanging tough in Ohio
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