So what have you had to change or eliminate from your life to survive?

[Justice wanted]

I would love to have an honest talk about how average people (You know us middle class/working poor) have in a sense had to change our way of life just to live in this country that is rewarding the wealthy and corporations and punishing the average person.


I don't want be cruel to those who honestly see the problem who are better off and want to help people like me and probably like you BUT I just think we need to keep the truth in the spotlight.




This past year My husband and I had to live somethimes for a full week on Sandwiches. We gave up on cable because it was way too much. Unfortunately this past 2 weeks I was off work because I was sick and hubby was sick off work for a week.

We had saved some holiday money to get caught up on bills. We did but this bought of illness just put us behind again.

Why is it that in this country it takes so much money just to give yourselves the basics?

[Voice for Peace]

1. I've had to eliminate fear from my life.

That seems to help a great deal.

[ocd liberal]

2. "Friends" that vote Republican

just sayin'

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. I have had to take in roommates -

to keep the mortgage going.

I have to shop at discount food places. A non-Union Fresh and Easy opened in the neighborhood and I hate it when I have the cross the picket line, but shopping there enables me to eat better than I have in a few years. I was shopping at Target and FoodCo for my food.

Going out to the movies is now a very special treat, concerts are gone, as are trips to the museums/zoo/other cultural events that were so important to me.

There are no new clothes, only thrift store finds.

Weekend drives are out.

My own health care needs are put off because I cannot afford the co-pays or non-insurance covered fees.

I have held onto DISH and HBO -- I couldn't handle being THAT deprived.

It has been very, very tough for me the past few years. No raises, no bonuses, plus I am now helping support my elderly Mom financially.

With costs always going up but my income remaining flat, I'm getting very close to the breaking point.

[madmom]

4. working, it made my blood pressure go sky high...really I am

retired but I am serious about the blood pressure thing (I worked in retail)

[tabatha]

5. Never had a cellphone.

Gave up cable TV in about 2000. Drive less. Shop at KMart. Built a garden for vegetables I hope to get going this year.

Never go to movies. Stopped magazine and newspaper subscriptions about 10 years ago. Rarely, trending to never in the last few years, eat out. Don't buy anything but basic foodstuffs - no wine, beer, etc.

Don't use air conditioning. Buy only shampoo, soap and toothpaste - no other toiletries or makeup.

That is, do with only the basics and don't spend much on gas or other outdoor activities. Keep to just walking for exercise.

While we do very high tech specialized stuff developed with no outside funding, we do not sell enough volume to rake in the $. Recently, because of budget cutting an existing order was cancelled and others are slow to get off the mark. Scary, scary stuff. We cannot afford a Republican. We did best when Clinton was President.

EDIT
Have not been to a dentist in 10 years, and an MD in 6. Also have to financially support my mother.

[RebelOne]

6. I have to stop smoking.

I just turned 73 this week and I know these damned cigarettes are killing me. I have tried everything to stop even hypnosis. Nothing works. And don't say to quit cold turkey. I would be climbing the walls.

[etherealtruth]

8. Happy Birthday!!!! n/t

[nobodyspecial]

10. You will be

But, you'll live and get over it. Maybe your doc could prescribe some tranquilizers to get over the first few days.

Nothing will "work." That's up to you. It's gonna suck and be hard, but you'll live -- a lot longer than if you don't stop. Oh, and lay off the alcohol for at least a month. Big trigger.

[nobodyspecial]

9. Heat, food, medical care

Nothing major...

[undeterred]

11. eating out, vacations, medical and dental care

[barbtries]

12. economic injustice.

it's very real. i hope things improve for your family soon.

i gave up living in the land of my birth (SoCAL) and moved to NC in 2007. i'm homesick, so is my son, but we've done much better here economically. he's in college now and i could never have made that happen in LA.

[Initech]

15. I'm looking at Oregon and washington for university - far cheaper.

[Louisiana1976]

13. The main thing was several years ago when I got rid of the car.

It was 20 years old and had started costing a lot in repairs. Now I take the bus everywhere and I'm happy to be rid of all the expenses involved in having a car.

I also got rid of cable a few years ago.

[Quantess]

14. It was health and dental insurance for a few years.

My wage was really lousy and the plan sucked (super high deductible...what's the point?), so it kind of wasn't worth it for a healthy person.