Tough economy has it affected you?

It has affected my life. Since the prices of everything has gone up greatly, a lot of things I don't do anymore or have given up. I used to buy brand name products. Not anymore. I used to have shopping sprees. I could get 5 cute shirts for $1. Not anymore. I used to go the dentist, doctor and optometrist regularly for check ups. Not anymore. I go only for emergencies or weird pains that have been around for too long. I used to take my dog to get professionally groomed. I do it myself now. I was able to afford living on my own. Now I need a partner. My boyfriend used to have his own place. He got laid off and lost his place so now he lives with me and my mother and my other siblings in our house. He got two other jobs that he was laid off because the company closed. He just recently got another job. I hope it doesn't close. I'm not that old, I'm only 23 so it's not like things have changed over a long period of time. These changes were quick. When I was about I'd say 15, a one bedroom apartment was only $230 a month and an extra $5 for pets. Now it's $450-600 with extra $25 per animal. Gas is just crazy now. We haven't fully filled up the car in forever. We just keep putting $20 worth of gas in it when it gets to E. We don't eat out at restaurants unless they have some $4 meal. We eat from the dollar menu of fast food places now. The prices of the bills have gone up so much that now we are crazy about cutting off everything not in use, using candles for light at night, turning the heat down in winter, limit water use. We used to make enough money that we had a ton to spare working basic jobs like flipping burgers at Burger King. Now, you can have 3 people working 2 jobs each and still basically be close to being homeless. It's really becoming depressing now.

Yes, it has a big impact. I only support myself, I give my parents money but it is not required. And still, I can't even save enough money for a new phone. It has been a year since I started trying to save for a new one. Everything has increased its cost, but not my salary, and it is almost driving me crazy at times. I'm still hoping for the economy to start getting better, but when will that happen?

Yes, it has absolutely been tough for us. My husband graduated last year and has had the worst time finding work. I am finishing my last year of my B.A. and I have a student loan and some help from my parents. So, that helped out a bit. But it still hasn't been easy. I really do hope things get better.

Forty per cent rise in prices on everything must effect us all! 23% VAT (sales tax). 1.4 Euro to travel on public transport. A lot of people don't drive because they no longer can afford the parking charges! All due to fraudulent bankers!

It ain't effect me much, but i am a student right now and still leaving with my parents, i am working as a swim teacher and it is nice money.. And like you i think the Gas is very expansive now, and i so wait for the time when all cars will be electric, like Honda hybrid and Toyota prius...

yes... and badly!

Oh yes the economy has affected us. Gas is at $4.00 a gallon now and we have limited our traveling to just necessities. Groceries are sky high and extra's are out of the question. We are fortunate that we have jobs and other sources of incomes to pay the bills. I think everyone is tightening their belts these days. It is a necessity right now for us.