saving $$$

With the expected economic downturn and credit crunch coming, I thought I'd post so money saving lifestyle changes that I've taken up over the past year.

1. Packing my lunch: I recently started packing my lunch again for work. So far its been a sandwich and some fruit/veggies. This also allows me to reduce my waste to only the paper towel that I wrap my sandwich in and use for a napkin.

2. Do things other than go to bars: When I go to bars, I don't drink a lot but when I get one or two drinks in me, I tend to buy drinks for friends. With decent beers being about $5 a bottle, this can get expensive. There are plenty of alternatives for things to do on the weekends. Anything outside is usually fun and free!

3. Cancel cable/watch tv online: You can watch most shows online now for free. Why spend $80 a month for something, when you can get it for free?

4. Join the library: Haven't done this yet but it hit me like a ton of bricks today. Why am I buying books when I can get them from a library? Less waste, less money. I know I won't be able to find some books in the library but mostly, I should be able to find something or borrow from someone.

5. Shut off unnecessary electronics/lights:

• I use my cell phone as an alarm clock


• turn off the power strip that my tv and stereo is plugged into when I'm not using it


• keep the lights off in rooms that I'm not in. It's also good to replace all lights with energy saving bulbs


• Don't leave computers on

6. Drink water: I usually always get a glass at a restaurant and I drink from water fountains at work. I rarely buy bottled water (mostly because of the plastic waste). I have a water filter so I can drink free tap water at home. I do want to eventually get a reverse osmosis machine.

7. Get rid of land line: I use my cell phone for everything.

I estimate that doing these simple things has saved me about $400 a month. I'm working on being consistent with it. The past month, I've been awesome with it.

Really sounds like I've turned into "captain no fun" huh? Over the past couple years, I've slowly been cutting back on my expenses but it's still important to have fun and treat yourself and others every once and a while though.

Your party has been hijacked

The collapse of two more major financial institutions today should serve as a reminder of what happens when we live beyond our means. We've become a country in debt. G. W. Bush enacted one of the largest tax cuts in US history and increased federal spending along with it (5 times greater than Bill Clinton - http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51342 ) to finance an unjust preemptive war and increase spending to "Protect us from the terrorists". McCain will continue those tax cuts and I'm sure keep spending at the same levels with his support of many of Bush's programs (especially defense).

There are two formulas that work:

1. Higher taxes & a bigger government
2. Lower taxes & a smaller government

Lower taxes + bigger government = DEBT!! Horrible idea!

McCain's tax cuts will cost over $3 trillion. If he succeeds in his plan to reduce wasteful spending (getting rid of earmarks), he will cut a measly $20 billion. But McCain says the economy is "strong" so we should be fine!

Obama's tax increase (for the top 1% of earners) will generate an extra $181 billion. We will still be in debt but we'll be able to pay it off faster. Plus, hopefully he'll follow Bill Clinton's spending record. He's no messiah to the problem though.

Here's a recent article on the topic:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26689925

The current republican party has been hijacked by social conservatives and the religious right. It is no longer a party of fiscal conservatives and this is a clear example why religion and politics should not mix. Republican voters missed their chance by not nominating Ron Paul, a true fiscal conservative with a record and political philosophy to back it up. Read about his mission here http://www.campaignforliberty.com/mission/ People think he's nuts but he's predicted our current financial crisis.

So are the terrorists still our greatest threat? I think if anything they've gotten exactly what they wanted. To watch us slowly bleed a financial death in a war that can never be won. Stay informed, vote smart, we're going to need it.