With the price of everything going up and wages not keeping up with inflation do

Not really. All of my extra money *when I do have some* goes toward something we need. Such as something for my 2 month old or something for the house. I really do not get much money to go out a buy things for myself. When I do, I tend to buy things for my husband or son. I live in Indiana and min. wage went up last year on July 24th to a whole 5.85 or something like that. This July 24th it is going up again to 6.50 I believe and then on July 24th 2009 it is going up to 7 something. I remember just a few years ago when it was only like 5.15. I know that increase in the wage will not do much good. But at least if you have a min wage paying job it will increase. I know gas prices keep going up, which in turn makes all other products go up. If everything else goes up the wages should go up to. But I'm sure if wages go up also then prices would go up even more due to the cost of making the item. I'm sorry, but the US seems to be going down hill very fast.

No, I really don't. I have some of our tax refund to help keep things caught up and get what we absolutely need, but not much extra.

I only go food shopping.

I took some stock options lately to pay off my credit card bills and get a new computer. The IRS is going to take most of the remaining amount away from me next month though. I'm not in the poorhouse yet, but by next year I'll have to learn to budget my leisure time

I am lucky that I just gave myself a raise, so yes, I do have a little to use for shopping. I am a daycare provider and I raised my rates the first of the year. I now get $38 more a week. It helps so much! I don't have the money to do fun stuff like get a manicure or just go shopping for new clothes, but it does help a little bit.

I haven't had any problems yet, I have noticed I've been spending more at the grocery with the prices of milk and eggs going up. I may have to cut back a bit elsewhere to keep my vacation budget in tact.

no. I often run out of money to get to and from work by the end of the month, even if I don't buy anything.

There is never much in the way of spare money by the time the bills have been paid, then the kids are always needing something and so by the time it gets around to me all the money has gone. How many years have I spent saying, oh well, maybe next month! I lost count years ago.