michiganFats
Silver Member
- Banned
- #21
What is this country coming to when people start walking their own dogs and washing their own cars? Scandalous, IMHO.
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I had cut way back on dry cleaners, bought the dryer ones. Then a One-Price cleaners opened and I'd say the cost has gotten pretty close-and they do a better job.
Instead of having the carpet cleaning service over the holidays, did them myself, with some furniture moving by 'the boys.'
We're eating out a lot less and making more 'special dinners' at home. It's way less expensive, more relaxed, and private.
Will these jobs become 'gone' or will the challenges make them more competitive? Will 'service' change? I've long argued that part of the reason online shopping and 'outlets' have thrived is the poor service given in most service industries. It's not 'fun' to shop most places.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/business/17services.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
I wonder .. why dont politicians do the same? Instead they dine at fancy restaurants costing hundreds when there are people starving and on our dime!I think everyone is having to cut back. I started brownbagging my lunch again. THAT is drastic.
Why do you think everybody is having to cut back?
Are you making less income than you were 6, 9, 12 months ago?
Are you cutting back because you are suffering financially? Or for some other reason?
Batboy, one of the Hotrod magazines just tested some HHO sytems and got a 60% increase in mileage on a hopped up small block Chevy. The patents on these systems were taken out between WW1 and WW2. So why are not these systems in wide use today? How about wind power? As more of the big turbines are built, the price is per kw of energy of the mills is declining, much below coal when all costs are considered. Yet you constantly read how expensive wind is.
There are many alternatives to what we do today. Many that are less expensive and far less destructive of our environment. But all too many of them lessen the incomes of some very powerful people. People supported by, and who own, most of our media.
This is the "rub" about most any recession. The VAST MAJORITY of us are not only NOT unemployed (about 93%), are NOT making LESS money. No the vast majority of us are employed and making AT LEAST as much and many of us more than we were a year ago.
What we have lost is confidence. Many of us FEAR possible future unemployment. We looked at our credit card balances and 2nd mortgages and took a reality check and said ENOUGH. We also watched the value of our retirement accounts get cut in half.
So most of us are making as much or more than a year ago. Most stuff costs considerably LESS than it did a year ago, especially gasoline and heating fuel. But we have no CONFIDENCE. Thus we are paying down debt, and mainly waiting until we have the cash in hand before spending it.
Very valid points!
And when we stop spending it, we only make the problem larger and longer!