Survive the Great Recession by: getting rid of your cell phone

Life seems slower now that I canceled my cell phone service. I mentioned in previous articles that my husband was unemployed for nearly a year. Yes, he's working now, however, we are playing catch up. Which doesn't look like it can happen soon enough. But one thing that has definitely helped relieve the pocket book is the fact that we don't have cell phones anymore. We are saving money by not having the luxury of our cell phones.

I went through withdrawals for about a day maybe two and then life just kept going somehow, life just kept going, and going. Everything didn't come to a screeching halt, it just became unspontaneous and planned as far as phone calls are concerned. I have to depend on the answering machine, yes, I have an answering machine. It works great, so everyday when I get home from errands or job searching, I check the answering machine and thankfully my emails. But, "you write for the examiner", yes, though not full time.

Once in awhile, it is "drat, drat, and double drat," not having a cell phone, but most of the time when I am with friends, they truly don't mind letting me use theirs for a quick call. I never exploit our friendship by using theirs often. But once in awhile, you say to yourself, "that is why I will get a cell phone again, someday." Someday when I can afford it.

You may consider surviving the "Great Recession" by canceling your cell service too.

Tips for saving money on your household expenses

I was reading an old Awake! magazine dated April 22,1985 and found some great suggestions. Today the figures of course have changed but the principles remain the same. Great advice is still great advice no matter how old it is. So read on and see if there are any suggestions you might apply in your life today.

• Recreation and Entertainment: In the United States over 6 percent of income is spent on recreation and entertainment. This may just be too high for you. Reading, outings to the park, and so forth, are far less expensive than movies, restaurants, and sporting events.
  
• Expensive Bad Habits: Some spend $1.25 out of every $100 (U.S.) on tobacco. Gambling is another expensive vice. Would eliminating such habits strengthen your budget?
  
• Food and Drink: Alcoholic beverages are pleasurable but unnecessary. Plain foods, such as baked potatoes, are often not only cheaper but more nutritious than their fancier counterparts (such as French fries). In-season foods are also less costly. Rather than throwing out leftovers, find ways of using them, such as in stews and casseroles.
  
• Credit: Use conservatively, if at all. Money borrowed or items bought on credit may cost more because of interest.
  
• Telephone calls: If long-distance calls are creating a financial burden, consider cutting down on them. At times discounts are given for making such calls at certain hours of the day. Remember, too, people still enjoy receiving letters.(Today cell phone use should be given serious consideration.)
  
• Clothing: Do not rush to follow the latest styles. Conservatively styled clothes are often better purchases. A housewife may want to consider making clothing for herself and the children.