Since Grandpa retired in June of this year, we have had to adjust to being part of the many out there who live on a "fixed income". That means no raises, bonuses, paid sick days, holidays or vacations....just his pension. We, by no means, are complaining but it does involve an adjustment in the way we spend our money. We do a lot more window shopping instead of buying and actually have discovered that we can live perfectly ok without some of the luxuries we had grown accustomed to. I guess you could say that we have become 'unspoiled'. You learn to ask yourself "Do we REALLY need that?" before making a purchase. (No, we do not have even one flat screen TV in our house because the ones we have work just fine) And, you know....you would be surprised at how many times the answer is no.
Actually, we got a start on our spending curve back in March of 2009 when I quit my job to work on fixing up the house to put on the market. I was not a happy camper at my job, stressed out and needed a change so we decided that we could live on his salary and I would spend my time on the house since we finally decided to sell it. Right there, we had to start cutting back so by the time he retired and went on his pension, we already had a different mind-set when it came to our spending. Stores that I used to frequent are now going without my purchases. I am a 'preferred shopper' at Kohl's, but have not seen the inside of my Kohl's store since I quit work. I'm a knitter and would not hesitate to shop and order from Herrschners or Mary Maxim's catalogs thinking I would 'get around to that project someday'.....no more. Another of my favorite pasttimes is reading. I have found some great buys on books on Ebay and it's a real 'rush' when your bid is accepted so that's a plus also. Our weekly grocery bill has dropped drastically (I can actually see the back wall of the freezer). We don't mind eating leftovers so nothing really goes to waste around here. (Did you know that from one broasted chicken from Sam's, you can make 3-4 meals and we are talking about some great homemade chicken soup) However, we each still get our few treats....Grandpa, his Mountain Dew and me, my chocolate. So, we really do not feel deprived. Actually, it's rather liberating not racking up bills that are going to hit our mailbox at the end of the month!!
Christmas has also taken a 'hit' because of the economy and our lower income. As you can see, we have a tiny tree and one gift for each of us. I bought Grandpa a Green Bay Packers hat that he saw Aaron Rogers wearing on the sidelines during one of the games and he bought me an apron....not just any apron....a big apron with pockets and "Grandma" written on it. We are both very tickled about our one and only gift from each other. And, both were bought online so no battling of the crowds in the stores and less wrapping....in fact, no wrapping at all! Another savings!
I was thinking earlier today as we were taking our walk around the block and realized that we have each other and that's the most important thing. I really don't know what I would do without Grandpa. He's my rock! So.....I'll do without a lot of the other things that just don't mean as much or as valuable as having him in my life. Oh, and since he retired, there has been a lot more laughing going on in our house. Certainly can't complain about that!!
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