As the media loves to point out, the economy is in shambles and we all need to make sacrifices to help right the ship. Just curious what sacrifices everyone is making, and yes, I'll allow for multiple answers. The normal humorous choices are not included...

I was already making older kids pay some of their college even before the economy turned south. As someone who earned 100% of my way through college, I feel like I valued it more than my friends whose parents paid their way through. Didn't want my kids to miss out on that. My youngest is now finishing up junior year in college, so it's almost over. Two more semesters and I'll be done paying for college. Now to start saving up for weddings (both kids are daughters).

In the interest of motivating the economy in my small town, I just bought myself a diamond & ruby ring from my local jewelers.

Looks like Michelle Obama voted.

My biggest changes have been no more buying lunches at work, cancelled my gym membership, and I decreased my cable channel packages.

Lunches were roughly $100/week on average, now I spend about $40 more on groceries, so we'll say +$60 X 48 weeks = $2,880/year

Gym Membership - $75/month, I walk an hour a day minimum now, and bought some weights, a weight bench, and a rowing machine at a garage sale in December. $900 membership - $625 for gym equipment (one time payment).... +$375 this year, +900 next year.

Cable package downgrade reduced my monthly bill by $52. + $624/year.

That'll be almost $4k in savings this year if I can keep from buying lunch/going out more than once or twice a week. I've noticed not eating out is a huge cost savings! And it's controllable.

I am on the brink of buying a house and renovating it...

::fingers crossed::

It will go well with the tiara and pitchfork DQ

Thanks, Kori!

I was thinking of cutting back on my gym membership but then realized I didn't have one.

So, I've cut back on exercising altogether. My shoes should last longer now.

We don't do much anyhow regarding vacations, eating out etc. I don't eat lunch but we did help the economy by buying a refrigerator. I also helped the economy but feel like I robbed the economy when I bought my 1 carat diamond anniversary ring (original cost $3,000.00) for 69.00.
As for college- if my daughter wants to continue she pays for it.

I have also suspended dating activities! But I haven't been going on many lately anyway, so maybe it's not self imposed. It does save a lot of money though...

I gave up dating last year. My new wife said she wouldn't support that activity.

Bummer...

Well, my son gets his Bachelors in May and my step-daughter gets her Master's in May - that will help us financially - or at least it had better.

How does cutting back on spending help the economy? Aren't we "supposed" to spend to stimulate business? I've cut back spending for personal reasons, but if everyone cuts back spending, then isn't that bad, really bad, for the economy???

It will. Until the grandchildren come.

the paradox of thrift.

Exactly, dip! You beat me to it!

We are about to re-do our kitchen - now that will stimulate the economy. Hubby just talked me into buying a Viking range. They're made in the USA - so that might save a couple of jobs in Mississippi.

I am saving money now so I can by my carbon credits later.

I'm using most of what I save in cutbacks for travel this year, plus squirrelling away some for a rainy day...

I cut back on the cursing every time the people in Washington claim to give a tax break. I realze that they are lying and do not care.

I have a question that I thought of this weekend while watching the news...

What's the difference between the Bush stimulus and the Obama stimulus other than Bush's came in one lump sum?

Are they not essentially the same thing?

they're totally different depending on your color preference (blue or red)

Oh boy....

you should be cutting back your spending, leaving you more taxable income that you can just give to the government, or other groups the government deems worthy of your support.

For the record, I've done more than my share for the economy: all new floors, doors, plumbing fixtures in bathrooms, paint, sheetrock, cabinets, TV, refrigerator, Disney vacation...