The numbers are in. Retail is off 5½ to 8 percent around the country.
People are not only cutting back on retail, but services. The mindset of Americans right now is "if you don't need it, don't buy it."
Have you cut your personal budget? What have you cut?
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We've made changes in our household as major as cutting our food budget to as minor as downgrading our Netflix subscription. We put a lot of clutter on eBay for extra cash. We'll cut our energy bills by handwashing half of the things that usually go in the dishwasher. Shorter showers, paying closer attention to wasted electricity, just basic power conservation.
MC, Check the stats on handwashing vs. using a dishwasher. I think you actually save water by using the dishwasher. Of course, I might be wrong. It's happened before.
Well, I figured that depended on a couple of factors. Does your dishwasher use hot water from your home tank, or does it heat the water itself? Do you hand rinse with cold?
After doing some research, I found a modern dishwasher uses about half the water and energy. In defiance, I tried the dishwasher on the "Light" cycle and found that it does just as well as the "Pots & Pans" one.
I hate dishwashers. Years ago my ex and the kids pleaded for me to get one, so I got a portable to stick in the corner of the kitchen ($40 at a used appliance dealer) and told them it would be their job to load and empty it...well, just as much fighting continued, dirty dishes were put in before the clean ones were emptied, and one night a "Its his turn! No its not, its her turn!" fight broke out, so I unpluged the unit, rolled it to the door, and kicked it down the front stairs. I have not had a dishwasher since...and that was 20 years ago. My fiancee is hinting toward one now...I enjoy my dishpan hands. I do the dishes more than 75% of the time to hold steadfast to my stubborn ways.. My thing I could do without is delivery of newspapers..I get the obits and local crap off the net and don't have to complain about late or undelivered papers...I buy a Buffalo on my way to work almost every day, unless I start at 4 and they aren't available yet. I have also eliminated fast food and takeout...but it makes me have to wash more dishes by hand...what a vicious cycle...
I have been pleading with my mother to get her to read the newspapers online. NOt because it's cheaper, but because it would help her stop accumulating so much clutter.