fast food's been going up for about the past four years. whataburger isn't even fast food anymore. it really makes no sense to eat that unhealthy crap now. but of course i still do.
I make a decent living, but you can't help but be more cautious in your spending, which is bad for the economy...I drive to Houston alot and the gas is just too damn expensive... I do believe certain states are more heavily effected than others, but I can tell you, at least in Dallas, that people are having a tougher time selling homes...my neighbor just sold her condo after a year in the market...A co-worker has had her house on the mkt for over 6 mos and no offers...she's reduced her price as well...crazy times...
Last year I graduated out of college... no job, no car. A double catch-22. Couldn't get a job since I had no car. And couldn't get a job cause I have no experience but I need a job to get exprerience. This year I'm about to switch to another temp job(3rd one) but this time it looks like it will be within my field(IT/PC Tech, first 2 was data entry). I'll be moving to ATL where infinite more opportunities are(hopefully) within the next few weeks. Now I have a car, and even though the bills are killing me, I can wake up everyday with a smile on my face even while staring at $3.50+ at the pump. I can barely keep up between car insurance, car payments, student loans, credit card payments, and I'm behind in rent. The economy has no effect on me whatsoever because I'm much better off this year than I was at this time last year. I always used to hear people complain about gas prices but I always said I wish I could complain about them too cause that would mean I finally have a job and a car. Now I do and I feel good to be complaining about gas prices and other rising prices in the economy.
Affected? Nope, not yet. Sorta numb to the gas prices. Nothing has affected our lifestyle yet. Absorb and move on. Bushed.
watched my savings take a hit. Readjusted and am slowly recouping. wife made me quit being a cheapskate and buy a brand new washer and dryer this past weekend. There goes a good chunk of Dubya's stimulus check which I had planned on investing. Food prices are the only thing I really notice. I like to eat well (at home - we don't eat out) and good ingrediants = rising prices. And a big "true that" to those advocating being really careful upcoming. I'm saving more than ever (freakishly conservatively for me) in preperation for some nasty times ahead.
I caved. But I managed to get excellent machines without being excessive. Now for a "the truth about rhad" moment: These are the first appliances I have bought new. Ever. I hate buying new appliances. Most last a damn long time, and used one's are insanely cheap. BUT.... I was already on my 4th dryer in 5 years. My washer that I got for 25 bucks still worked like a charm. 100 dollar refrigerator still hums. 50 dollar deep freeze - indestructible. But I've had bad luck with dryers for some reason. When this last one went, even I was irritated. And it gave me an excuse to get a front loading washer. Saves water, energy, and is easier on the clothes. Weslinder - she does use a clothesline now and then! But a washboard? I suspect that might be met with the proverbial "frying pan to the head".
My 401K and Roth IRA dropped precipitously in January, only to start going up again this month... then again, at least I beat the S&P 500, thanks to smart diversification
Monetary effect? No. Cash is steadily climbing. The greatest effect here is future potential/prospects, as I'd like to call it.
