Everything That Goes Around Comes Around

For those of us who were growing up in the '70s it's getting harder to deny that all pervasive feeling of Deja Vu. No, I am not referring to the come back attempts by various Rock Groups, all though there is that as well, I am referring to the oil crisis, the devaluation of the American Dollar, the credit crunch and the rise of inflation. 2008 seems a lot like 1978, the only thing that is different to me is that this time I am an adult with children of my own rather than a child growing up and having to adjust to a dramatic "lowering of profile".

With gas almost $4 a gallon here, everyone is being forced to "cut back" in some way, especially since easy sources of credit have vanished for the majority of us. While I have always lived a somewhat frugal lifestyle, the continuation of this lifestyle is more by neccessity now than choice.

I am really interested in hearing from others about what they are doing to conserve and save money. This year I have expanded my garden space, in an effort to cut down on the grocery bill, so that the money saved in this catagory can be used in the gas tank. At first I gave up cable in favor of Netflix; now the video section at the local library seems even more appealing, since it is free to check out videos, as well as a host of other media types. Websites like Hulu, and most of the major broadcast networks, offer a vast array of streaming programming over the internet for free. I have also been subscribing to all of the free internet coupon sites, as well as researching which of my local stores accept them, as well as ceasing to shop the ones that do not. While the various factors affecting the American economy seem the same as in the 70s, this time around, through the internet, we at least have more ways to research and plan to save.

You have probably heard of this website, http://www.gasbuddy.com/. If not, check it out, it will help you research the lowest gas prices in your area. Believe me, pennies do add up over time.