The biggest change in your life.
By dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
August 27, 2010 3:57pm CST
I don't think that there is a single person in the world that hasn't been impacted by the downturn that the worldwide economy has faced in the last several years. That said, I would really like to know what the biggest change that you've experienced in your life during this time has been and why you think it is the biggest change.
For our family it is that we no longer use credit cards. We saw that our balances were getting higher and our minimum payments and also interest rates were getting higher and it easily could have made us go bankrupt if we hadn't stopped our old ways. However, a year ago we enrolled in a debt management plan and since then we've seen the balances go down and we've also learned that it is possible to live our life without using someone else's money.
2 people like this
19 responses
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Aug 10
hi oh myG the biggest change ever in my life was having to come here to t
this tiresome retirement center as we,my son and I, had been evicted. living here, sharing a room, having my meds. doled out to me like a
child, eating in a communal dining room, losing so much of my person-hood
as another resident, well I dislike it much but am looking forward to a day when my son has accumulated enough money for us to move into an apartment again and I can be much more autonomous again.Still its better than being on the street seeking shelter each night. this horrid economy cannot last forever surely my son is now working so things will look up for us.![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
27 Aug 10
May God bless both you and your son Hatley. I really pray that things will work out for you eventually.You have a wonderful attitude and this is good. I am so glad that your son is now working. I'm gonna pray extra hard for you tonight.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
I couldn't even begin to imagine that changes that you've had to go through in your life during this really tough time for the country. It would me so hard for me to have to be separated from my family. Big hugs to you Hatley.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
27 Aug 10
I can say my husband and I haven't really been all that affected by the economy. We only have a handful of bills to pay as we don't have our own place. I don't have a job so that doesn't give us much room to save, but other then that we are doing pretty good.
Now if I were to have a job we could have moved out sooner then now but I can't complain as we have everything we need, and some of what we want as well.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
We used to live with my mother and we definitely had a lot more wiggle room during that time. But, I still wouldn't trade having space of my own for that wiggle room.
@meemingNEW (2226)
• Philippines
28 Aug 10
I know today's economy is the current issue of all households throughout the world. My family and I are adjusting to it by lessening credit card usage and conserving energy by turning off the things that we aren't using. That is just how my parents and I operate as a household in response to change in economy. But as an individual...
The biggest change in my life is how I disciplined and controlled my habits such as smoking and drinking. I've stopped smoking for 6 months already. I used to be a binge drinker back then . I drink almost every day but I have learned lots of things the hard way. And that it made me realize that the things I do lead me no good. I have also changed the way spend. I use to spend on a lot of unimportant things and activities such as my drinking habits. Now, I just realized that its just a waste of money and its pretty bad health-wise. I'm pretty much addicted to saving my money now instead of using it . I find it overwhelming to save for the rainy days. In conclusion, my life is changing.. and this time, it is for the better.
Best of luck.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
I am also a person that has become addicted to saving money. I don't necessarily think that it is a bad thing. However, there have been a few times that my husband and I have actually gotten into fights because he is still somewhat of a spender and I've gone to extremes about not spending money.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
That is definitely something that we've had to do a lot more of as well. It isn't a lot of fun, but somehow we almost always make ends meet.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
31 Aug 10
I been used to being a star employee wherever I go. Aside from the regular inflation salary increases, I always got mid-year performance increases. In the past two years, I've learned that nothing is certain in my chosen career. Even how hard I worked. Not only did I not get any increases, we all got reductions, so just our company could survive.
At first my ego could not accept this, and I had trouble coping with all the bills. I think I'm starting to heal. Not completely yet, but I am getting there.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
2 Sep 10
Our family too is starting to heal. It definitely hasn't been complete to this point. However, the crunch on us this year (though we are still feeling it) hasn't been nearly as bad as what we went through last year.
@pedrofreitas (89)
• Portugal
27 Aug 10
It's even worse for people that graduate during this World Crises Season, they don't have experience so it's more difficult to find a new job for what they graduated.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
27 Aug 10
Volunteer for ANYTHING to build up a resume. Do voluntary work - anything you do even if you do not get paid is work experience. Offer your services for free or for 'lunch' money. Go to every organisation and see if thy will let you work there for free. Who knows? If you do a good job they may hire you on a full time basis. Step outside your field of study - do anything. Homeless shelters etc. anything. Good luck
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
You have brought up a very valid point. My brother graduated with his masters degree as the economic downturn was starting and he has settled for working in a factory instead of working in the field that he trained for through six years of schooling.
@nkfengshan (33)
• China
28 Aug 10
I am sorry to say you are wrong.
Many people have not been impacted by the downturn of economy.
The government has the power to control the whole country.
Nothing is out of control.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
I do believe that everyone has been impacted in some way or another. The main difference is whether or not the ways that individuals have been impacted is a small change in their lives or a major change in their lives.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
28 Aug 10
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@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
Well, you only have to deal with her for one more day from now. I'm sure that you are to the point that you are counting down the hours. We started rolling our own cigs as well, it really does save a ton of money.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
28 Aug 10
I am trying so hard not to overspend, but I think there are dark forces about that
interfear with all my efforts. No matter how hard I try unforseen situations keep happening. Like my car blowing up and the air condition system breaking down on the hottest day of the year these and many other little things have wiped away my hard won savings.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
I honestly don't think that there is a person alive that doesn't have a difficult time with being able to spend less money. No matter how hard we try, we also have a hard time getting ahead.
@JOIEMARVIC (2335)
• Philippines
28 Aug 10
I guess the biggest thing that have changed in my life since the economy's turn down is that we should really live simply. We should not surround ourselves with riches and things that we can survive without. I have not been good in taking care of my finances. I regretted that. Up to now I am still working really hard to pay off all my debts. Yes, it is possible to live without using someone else money, but it was too late for me to discover that. Hopefully I have learned my lesson well. Next year i would be done in paying all my debts. By that time, I have promised myself to live simply and save as much as I could to avoid experiencing the things I have experienced now.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
You and I both. When we are done paying off our past debt, I intend to never accrue another bit of debt in my life. I don't like owing other people money at all.
@rameshchow (4426)
• India
28 Aug 10
we have to change our budget plans according to the economy of the world, it is depends on our country's government strategy.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
You are right, we are living on a budget that we had never had in the past. However, I think having a tight budget is a great thing.
@yeyelee (370)
• China
28 Aug 10
As a result of massive college enrollment expansion,the number of Chinese university students soars.Plus the impact of economic crisis,I may say the biggest change in my life is that I made the decision to continue to persue a higher degree.But I wasn't meant to it,because my parent have already been around 50,I do not wanna see them still do some burdensome work and could't get plenty of sleep.Hope you can understand this Chinese tradition. And hope it will be even better tomorrow.
In your case,consumption in advance is indeed not good.Happy to see that your familay has work out the problem.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
Though I'm not Chinese, I do see where you are coming from. It is important that we take care of our elders if we are able to. However, in our tradition, it is an exception to the norm. However, for me it is something that I am happy to do.
@xtmlove (402)
• China
28 Aug 10
I'm a college student,I also feel a big change in my life this years.Before I went to college ,almost all of my money come form my parents.But I wanted to change it.I wanted to independent by myself.During the college times,I went to work part-time.You know,it is easy to start,difficult to continue.But I stick to it.The part-time job not only resolved my cost in the college,but also gave me many benefit.such as how to communication with the other people,enhance the efficiency of job,get along with the other people and so on.So I think we should bravely confront the biggest in ours life.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
The lessons that you learn as you work through college are lessons that will easily be carried forward with you throughout your life. Good luck in your journey.
@xtmlove (402)
• China
28 Aug 10
I'm a college student.I also feel a big change in my life.Before I go to college,the cost of money almost come from my parents.But now I had independent by myself.During the college times,I choose to work part-time.It isn't easy,but I also stick to independent.The part-time job not only resolved my cost by myself,but also gave me mang benefit.such as how to communication with the other people,enhance the efficiency of work,get along with the other people and so on.We should bravely confront the biggest in ours life.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
I believe that working while we are in college is actually a good idea and it was something that I did when I was a college student as well.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
27 Aug 10
It has been very hard for me as my daughter was only working part time and one son lost his job. Very difficult indeed to manage even though I did mange to go away. My part time job goes straight to credit card debt. I have paid it half off and hope to have it fully paid off by February unless something disastrous happens.
I do not buy clothes at all and will not buy any this year. I rarely buy lunch and bring something from home - just things like that. I only get my hair trimmed every 6 -8 weeks and the colouring is done by my daughter. Have saved big there and I have cut down on my monthly manis and pedis. Neither has been done for three months now but will have a pedi tomorrow. Have become more creative with food too and am insisting that people who we have given permission to plant on our land to give me some of their provisions. Now that is a big help. Corn, potatoes,bananas and plantain and tomatoes.
Congratulations on getting out of debt as that is a wonderful achievement. Blessings
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@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
Well, we actually aren't out of debt yet, but we are definitely taking a lot of steps in the right direction. I can't wait for the day to come that I will actually be able to say that I am debt free, but that time hasn't come yet.
@ronharold (555)
• Philippines
28 Aug 10
The downturn doesn't really affect our family. During the downturn of the economy, I finished my degree and earn a job so instead of cost saving, we are now earning.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
It is really good to hear that there are at least some people out there that haven't been adversely affected during this economic crisis.
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
28 Aug 10
Hello doran
You are right my friend, this is a global issue, prices of things in india in the last 40 years have gone up by more than 50 times, quality has gone down, income too has gone up, but because of price rise one can't adjust.
when i started working as a lecturer my salary was 345 rupees per month, that was enough, when i retired it was 42000 per month, but still insufficient..
it is better, without loans, i have been sucessful, i never loan money nor lend money..
Thanks for sharing.
Welcome always.
Cheers.
Professor
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@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
Well, it is because of the fact that my husband and I used to have the habit of borrowing money that we are now having to work harder to get out of debt. However, I do believe that were it not for the economic problems that we've faced we wouldn't have changed our lives in this positive way. I really like living on only the money that belongs to us instead of having to depend on borrowing from other people.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
I am actually glad that moving from one place to another was not an adjustment that I had to make. I've always been very close to my family and I couldn't imagine what it would be like to live away from them.
@kangchily (49)
• China
28 Aug 10
The biggest change in my life is my height it should be.Joke. I think it should be through the entrance examination to college.This is a must for every Chinese person,but also took part in college entrance examination for each person the maximun benefits.He is my kids to adults from a turning point.I key in determining the fate of a link.It can be said,if you admitted to a good university, then you complete half of your life successful.Really is a very important change.I will never forget.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Aug 10
I remember when I was a much younger woman and I took my college entrance exams. You are completely right, it is a very important change that we all face if we want to go to college and be successful in our lives.
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