MORE REMINDERS ON HOW TO SURVIVE THE ECONOMIC CRISIS...JUST IN CASE YOU ARE SLACKING OFF

The pundits put our economic recovery as far away as 2010...it simply means that survival until the "spring bloom" should remain our top priority. Here are some timely reminders from from Memee.

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My husband and I are considered middle class or at least we were until the current financial crisis edged it's greedy paws into the middle of our bank account. In the past few months we have been knocked down a notch and can no longer enjoy "the sunny side of life". A time designated as the golden years quickly became a survival test and as in the past only the fittest survive.

Our humble beginnings came from middle class hard working parents who taught us morals and good work ethics. Much like the rest of our generation we yearned for more than our parents had. A goal that was not only attainable, but one in which we tag-teamed to reach before retirement. Years of working day and night finally afforded me the opportunity to retire at the age of fifty-eight. My husband who is a few years younger is still part of the working class. In this bleak economy that in itself is more than a blessing it is a means of survival. It provides us with much needed health insurance, a luxury that we could not afford if he became unemployed.

The cost for Insurance has now become an evil enemy to our finances. We are lucky to have it, yet the co-pays and what is not covered takes yet another chuck of change out of our monthly income. Knowing full well we had to tighten our purse strings in no way prepared us for eventually living pay check to pay check. Purchasing power for items deemed necessary to survive needed to be revised and reduced. With pen in hand and motivation I did not welcome I began to try and save not only money but our own preservation.

Grocery shopping was at the top of my list for re-evaluation. In brighter times I shopped and purchased with out much thought to the cost. After all we had the money and we most definitely liked to eat and enjoy the amenities needed for personal hygiene. Now all items edible and non-edible have been scrutinized. I no longer buy name brands and eliminated the "one stop shopping" I had lovingly honed through the years. My apologies to my once favorite grocer, you now are one of many. There are five steps I put in motion to help see us through our own personal financial dilemma.

1. Shop the "Dollar Stores" for toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, tooth paste, deodorant, dish detergent, laundry detergent. You will be amazed at the items this type of store carries. Your clothes will not protest the change in detergent and you will save money. This store also carried many food items which are much cheaper than your favorite grocery store.

2. Filling up your gas tank means looking for the best price in the immediate area. You can go on-line and type in your zip code and check the prices of gasoline at different locations. Changing your route to work to buy gas for less only works if you are not driving ten extra miles to save a few dollars.

3. Turn off the lights and turn down the thermostat. Growing up in an old house with a less then efficient furnace taught me to wear warmer clothes in the winter. The concept is the same today, turn down the heat and put on a pair of sweats. Every time you go into a room you do not have to turn on the lights. We keep a night light on in the bathroom and the kitchen to avoid flipping the switch when we enter the room. We have lived in this house for twenty some years therefore we should be able to walk around with our eyes closed and still find our way.

4. Date Night, a night my husband and I invented many years ago when our children were growing up. A night set aside to go out and enjoy a meal and conversation without children. A time to regroup and reconnect when life became so hectic. We still have our "Date Night" but the need to dine out every week is no longer necessary when there are just the two of us in this old house. When we do go out we find a place that offers dinner specials and have found the food is actually good if not better than the days of "fine dining".

5. Learn to do without, just because you want it rarely means you truly need it. Become frugal when shopping for yourself and for others. Purchase birthday presents right after Christmas when the bargains are best. Watch for sales on clothes and shoes to replenish your closet. Become a dress for success guru with out going broke.

Trying to save money in today's world is a daunting task and sometimes impossible. We are doing the best we can with the money we have. Not yet re-seated to our comfort level of a year or so ago we are able to pay our bills and keep a roof over our heads. Are we adding to our retirement fund? No, not yet but we aren't borrowing from it in our fight for survival.