Thinkin of a master plan
Cuz ain't nuthin but sweat inside my hand
So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
So I dig deeper but still comin up with lint
So I start my mission- leave my residence
Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents
I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
So I think of all the devious things I did
I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain't nuthin funny
Stop smiling, be still, don't nuthin move but the money
Rakim (Paid In Full)
Damn! I didn't think it'd come to this.
What happened???
It wasn't always this way...
Things were good at one time...
Now...things have changed...
And they could get worse before they get better...
I've tried to hold on to you for as long as I could...
Now I have to hold on to what I have...
It seems to be a struggle to keep you around every day...
The struggle has me concerned but not sad...
I'll make a way...
We'll make a way...
Franklin
Grant
Jackson
and the rest of the crew. I won't let you go. I can't do it. I won't do it.
Haaaaaaaaa
I'm talking about them dead presidents, y'all. In this recession, it is important that we try to hold on to the discretionary income that we have. But when gas and food prices are worth a small fortune...you have to do what you can to cut corners to hang on to your loot.
I've stopped buying cds. I don't burn up all my gas cruising down Peachtree Street like I used to. The big lunch has been replaced by the small lunch. LOL. The road trips to SC to see the fam have been cut back. I'm doing what I have to do hang on to my bread.
Most of us are working hard but not seeing significant pay increases. Some of us are working harder for less money. Some of us have "money that's funny...and their credit won't get it. "
Since the money and credit crunch is affecting everybody...what are YOU doing to hang on to your paper?
37 comments:
FIRSTTTTTTTTTT!
Now to the post at hand. I so hear you...it's a dayum shame when you have to choose between a gallon or milk or a gallon of gas...i had to tell my mom i can't visit last weekend, bc i was trying to save gas...i shop very carefully, and stop buying some namebrand stuff. I don't go out as much, and anything over 20 miles i carefully consider is it worth it...back on the train, about to start taking the bus. This is scary.
There isn't much I can do right now to hold onto my money; I'm still playing catch-up from the damage I did while I was married and right after the divorce. Lets just say even though I was taught better, I treated money like it grew on a tree in my backyard. Hell, sometimes I still do, I'm not even going to lie!
I'm still a year or two away from getting this ish under control. Until then I'll just make do and get by :)
KD, you do know it's illegal to photocopy money???!!!
...EVERYTHING is up for consideration during these lean times. Stop drinking Ketel One and picked up Mystics. Me and the wife are even considering her going back to work....not there yet, but she's polishing off the rezzy.
@ Miz
You are FIRST! Welcome back to the top! LOL
I feel you. Gas is so high that it's more beneficial to be on the train or bus and not be in the car. Trust me...if I could ride on the train, then I would
@ Jaded NYer
Hang in there! Divorce is extremely tough on your pockets
@ Rezidl
Mannnn, I'm about to go to drinkin Ripple (the bev of choice for Fred G Sanford)
Wifey is headed back to work? Wow! I hear you. I know that'll help out.
I've stopping going to the store and picking up stuff because it's "cute." Instead of buying my boys new toys every other weekend (the weekends that they are with me) I've opted to start new traditions, like trips to the park, movie theatres, and just more quality 'mommy and the boys time' outside of the house with things other than toys. Power Ranger action figures really start to add up at 10 dollars a pop! LOL
Basically, Im being smarter about what I do in every aspect,
-no more eating out or buying lunch. Im a breakfast junkie and that is one thing today Ive decided to stop buying out in the morning.
-Im buying my meats in bulk from Costco. Not one skimpy piece of meat from Shoprite. The amount of meat I can get at Costco for the price of one piece at Shoprite is phenomenal !! I just bring it all home, sit at the table, separate it up, place it in freezer bags and put it in the fridge.
-Im driving my sisters van this week while shes away, so I dont have to use the gas in my tank. lol
She makes more money than me.
hee-hee.
-Im also driving slower than I normally would to not burn gas so quickly.
-I do my research for the cheapest gas prices.
-I eat leftovers as much as possible.
These are just a few things.
The good thing about the doctors office that I work for is, they bring free lunch in everyday. Its a blessing especially in times like these.
Do what you can to save your money guys.. Its only gonna get worse.
Is it me or does anyone else see us slowly falling back into the days of the depression and with racism back to the days of Martin?? Its scary stuff !!
ye old fiat money
Hey 12Kyle,
Great topic as usual.
Well, I take my calculator with me to the grocery store so I can stay on budget. When you actually plug the numbers in it's easier to make a quick decision whether something is really necessary or not. The sad thing is that I had to cut back my trips to see my mom who is an hour away from me in a nursing home because of the gas. CRAZY! I was going to see her about 3 days a week. Now, I only get there once a week.
I have a draft post about this same concern so I won't give away all my goodies. Heck, I ain't bloggin in your comments at...all! LOL I'll just add to the whole, "money that's funny...and their credit won't get it." statement (which is funny because a local pastor here says that same thing and he comes on TV). "Change is strange. Money is funny. And credit just won't get it."
Be on the lookout for my two cents. I'll be sure and link back to this post.
Holla
P.S. I was arrested, but immediately released to my mom (she beat the damn officer to the JDC). I never actually got "locked up." However, I did have to do tons of community service/restitution, then I was able to have my records expunged etc. I am such a chicken that when I applied for state/government jobs I always mark "yes" and explain my 1987 incident (because I dont want to mess up chances and then a background check reveals something). Stop acting like I'm all hardcore wit' mines. It's a nice flip-mode for MP cause he says he loves my "gangsta bitch" side. But I'm just a college educated girly-girl...But I will go off! LMAO
I don't shop nearly as much as I used to and I definitely don't go out nearly as much as I used to either - so that's BIG savings right there.
I also cook a LOT more, so I'm not buying fast food at night and spending an arm and a leg for lunch in Manhattan throughout the week.
Just a quick note...as far as lunch goes I've been asking the parents of the kids I teach (the ones I trust of course) to make me a sandwich when they are making them for their kids. It has even worked a couple of times but not lately.
i am.....well, i.....i've cut back on my girls-night-out soirees. doesn't sound like much...but it REALLY is!
Hey Kyle,
I'm saving more and trying to cut back on frivolous spending.
I bring my lunch EVERY SINGLE day to work. I treat myself once a month to my favorite - salmon & rice.
I also haven't flown to my hometown, Chicago since December - that's a record for me. Last year at this time, I'd already been there 3 times!
I also do my own hair. Going to the salon is definitely draining AA women's bank accounts - trust me.
I did a post on Mother's Day gifts - I should've taken in to consideration the money crunch. Oh well, most of them are affordable! :-)
@ Queen
Its been a minute since I bought a toy. Unless you count the toys that come with the Happy Meal. Haaaaa
@ Trish
At times...it does feel like the Great Depression. The "haves" still have and the "have nots" are still without. And those of us who "have a lil sumthin" are holding on to what we have
@ Torrance
Right!
@ LRenee
Wow! I know that you hate to cut back on the trips. How's your mom doing?
@ PRO
I'll check it out
Your new nickname is Gangsta Pro...or Thugged Out Pro. LOL
@ OD
I agree. Lunch is a HUGE killer on your pockets.
@ mlinz
That ham sammich is on da wey 4 ya! Lol
@ PCD
I feel you. Me and my boys don't kick it hard like we used to. When Rezidl was in town 2 weeks ago, we both had a drink and was looking around like..."If we get another drink, then it'll be b/c somebody else pays for it." LOL
@ TravelDiva
I hear you. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't you expecting?
@ BGG
I feel you. That damn salon is draining my bank account, too! LMAO!!!
that sux....imstill spending money like it grows on MY OWN TREE!!!!
i am not a good saver!!!!!! SMH
Great post!
I have liquidated all my stock accounts for one, I've been hit hard by this market. So it all sits in cash.
No driving to the grocery store (damn my hubby and that SUV), Its about 5 city blocks so I force him to walk. It also creates bonding time for the family. CJ loves it!
No Starbucks. Ok this is really a big deal for me, I can drink at least two chai teas a day that's like $12.
And Bringing my lunch everyday and sometimes my breakfast. BUT when I do buy lunch no more than $5 (for those of you in NY Zaiyah on Madison and 42nd, great japanese little $ and you can get a dessert for you all with a sweet tooth)
Man, you know I drive the big whip. I'm about to trade places with the old lady and take her 4 cyl fuel efficient car. Yeah, I won't be chillin no more. But her ride to work is about 1/2 of mines. We'll save about $50 per week doing that.
I have decided that I am human and I can not stress over what I don't have. I have NO credit cards anymore, I only spend what I have I no longer have money going in to MY saving account, but I do continue to put $20.00 into each of my children saving account.
Okay Kyle you duckin' yo' girl on my blog?? Don't be scurred Kyle! You better hit up PrettyBlack Gold cause it's goin' down...as yo' boy say "baby, baby"!
Now to the post. i'm lookin at trading in my beautiful 'burban for one of them fly ass tahoe hybrids because cutiepie costs 108 to fill up right now and that shit right there...
And my second vehicle is a chevy stepside extended cab 1500 and that shit ain't no betta! Even my hubby's bike is up to 25 dollars to fill up...That's like 10-15 dollars more than normal.
I don't know how much gas is in your neck of the woods but out here it's an epic almost 4 dollars premium is at 404 oooh weee!
@ The Flyyest
Lemme get near your tree. I gotta couple of things that I'd be willing to purchase with your money. LOL
@ The F$%K it List
Liquidated everything? Word?
You force your man to walk to the store? Ohhhhh lawd
*picking up the phone to call your hubby*
@ Brad
I'ma do the same thing. Give the whip to Mrs12 and I'll drive her car
@ Sexxy Luv
I hear you! Keep on putting money away for the churren. We all should be doing that.
@ prettyblack
Nooooo! I aint forgot about cha! You KNOW I'm coming over there. Yesterday was crazy and I didn't get a chance to hit anybody's blog. But I will today. If I don't do it this afternoon, it'll be done when I get home
I've heard good things about those hybrids. Gas here is $3.55
I dunno how much it'd cost to fill it up...cuz I aint fillin it up. LMAo!!!
doin my own hair
livin with the pops
Times have always ebbed and flowed for my folk & most Black folk I know. So, I'm gonna do like my fore-folk taught: Ride this wave, continue to pray & KNOW that the creativity & ingenuity inside me (along with de Lawd) will make a way!!
PAY YOUR TITHES and keep GOD FIRST!
Well hubby and I share a car.We are dishing out easily $400 a month on gas alone. At this point the only thing you can do is cut out extra curricular. Buy the mininum and bare essentials and neccessities.
Patiently wait for that government issued stimulus check SIGH
HAHA he can be reached at (347) I-a-m-l-a-z-y. or (347)Whats PT (public transportation) LOL!
Yep I got hit hard when I bought Carters (I'll buy it again) but the market is too unstable so I figured may as well have the cash available if we need it.
cooking more saves me LOTS of money. looking @ my bank statement made my skin crawl @ how much i spend on food.
-KB
i will probably end up suffering, casue i spend. i don't make alot of money. but i don't live outside my means anymore.
my female friend is good about letting me eat @ her crib, so thats a blessing.
like pac once said: "gotta make even if i have to beg or borrow."
Nothin... I'm just gon be broke... I can see it now... make it down to ATL and not have no money to get back to NYC... you got my back though right Kyle...lol
I tell you what...I did the opposite of what I should have done this weekend while in New York. I was NOT hanging on to every dime. I had fun spending my benjamins!!
Now that I am back home, I won't be driving around as much either. Saw premium gas in NY for over $4. That hurt! Thank God school is over so that's an easy $200 I can save a month on gas.
Mommy is hanging in there. Thanks for asking. (smile)
I might have to give up the convertible for the truck since hubby's commute is an hour away. Mine is 5 minutes. (smile)
Thanks for hitting up my blog today. You know it's not the same without 12Kyle's view. LOL
@ dejanae
Now THAT'S how you save money
@ CapCity
Amen!!!
@ Poca
My stimulus check is going with me in the form of ones to Magic City. There will be a 45% chance of showers. LMAO!!!!
@ The F$%K it List
LMAO @ U!!!
@ Karrie b.
I feel you. That stuff adds up over time
@ Don
Does she have room for ole 12kyle? LOL
@ Eb the Celeb
You know i got yo back...wayyyyyyy back. LMAO!!!
@ Jewells
I feel you. I too, have had a "ball till we fall" weekend. And I usually crashed when I got that bank statement.
@ LRenee
Good to hear that she's going good. Yeah. You prolly should pass the whip on to your hubby.
No doubt. I gotta come through when you post.
I eat the food that I purchase for my lunch drawer at work at my desk.(noodles, soup, tuna) I've lost a lot of weight this way. LOL! I ride the vanpool to work or take the train. I don't shop.....it's about to be sandal season and I don't have one new pair of shoes. (very sad about that) I haven't given up getting my hair done b/c I don't know how to do my hair...hopefully I won't have to give it up. YIKES!!!!!
We (me and the wife) are doing what the rich folks are doing. We just took some of our cash and swooped down on a foreclosure. Instead of backpedaling we are lunging forward. Most people are foreclosing because the note got too high, they still have money and they still need good places to stay. So we are working the angles.
I'm also working on my book projects and will be looking to shop those to agents/publishers in the coming months.
In other words, we are looking to create income as opposed to finding ways not to spend money. I guess you could say we are working the principles of The Law of Attraction. You can't have what you reject.
We also try and live like we have sense. We pay cash for most everything. I have a few things on credit that I'm going to pay off by June. I don't have cable, satellite radio, tivo or any other subscription service outside of cellphone and internet service. Well, I do have blockbuster online, but for $20 a month we can watch a lot of movies by swapping the mailed videos out in-store.
We are also back on our guns about not stopping for fast food just because the kids see a sign they recognize (they always get hungry 30 minutes into the ride) instead, they get good old healthy water and we try to make sure they eat before they leave home. I also spend money on groceries for home as opposed to eating in the cafeteria at work. That way I can have a decent meal without buying groceries twice.
I have the option to telecommute a couple of days out of the week. I may take them up on that pretty soon. I don't trust myself with that option yet. I may spend more time doing personal projects than their work so I'm trying to get my mind right.
But overall we are looking for the opportunities that exist in times like these as opposed to reacting negatively. Keep in mind, we aren't spending like there is no tomorrow. The goal is to continue paying down the little debt we have while simultaneously increasing our revenue.
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