CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

Say WHAT? — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:41:04 -0000

We are empty nesters who still work, so we still eat at restaurants a few times a week, but have changed where. Have started going early on Saturday for the breakfast special that only costs $1.49 each instead of a dinner on Friday. We also found a great chinese place (No MSG) that serves a huge lunch for only $4.99. There is enough left over to take home for the next day. We are eating leftovers much more now.

We have purchased a house ($160,000 less than what realtor told us we could afford), a car, leased a van, bought a clothes washer, a dishwasher, new bed, new sofa, and have hired contractors who are out of work to do work for us at the house. We pay the contractors more than they ask (they are really cutting prices to get the jobs) We donate to our church whose only expense at the moment is benevolence (no Pastor's salary or overhead). We help our son and his family (they have 4 children) with shoes for the kids, clothing, coats, whatever they need.

Re: Question of the day

Arthur Andersen — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:38:13 -0000

Doubling down on gifts and food donations to the food pantries.

Taking $$ that used to go to political campaigns and sending it to "high impact" charities (Sojourn, St John's Breadline, Foodbank)

Tipping more in restaurants.

Patronizing local businesses wherever possible.

Hoping to replace the Swedish Tank with an American car.

Re: Question of the day

Quizzical — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:20:25 -0000

I'm no longer paying the governor for my board appointment.

Re: Question of the day

Marianne North — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:47:22 -0000

I work for the welfare department. 'Nuff said.

Re: Question of the day

Black Ivy — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:21:41 -0000

Recession or not, I volunteer for a number of community organizations and legal groups dedicated to helping those less fortuante them me, participating in pro bono services, mentorship programs, soup kitchens, etc.

Also, I try to welcome family, friends, and perfect strangers (come on, are strangers every really perfect?!?!) with a smile regardless of my worries.

I'll live and die by my mother's mantras -
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.

AND THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

Re: Question of the day

HoBoSkillet — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:33:32 -0000

Saving up money for a Capitol Fax subscription.

Re: Question of the day

Jechislo — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:16:30 -0000

Vacationing in Florida....

Re: Question of the day

Southern Illinois Voter — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:38:51 -0000

Doubled our tithes at church, bought a new car at the end of August, volunteered more at church - know we're much more fortunate than others & very thankful.

Re: Question of the day

Restaurant Owner — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:21:36 -0000

Me never tell

Re: Question of the day

Cinho — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:56:07 -0000

RO--where in the world is your restaurant? I'll be sticking to the wings when I go.

Re: Question of the day

Restaurant Owner — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:32:35 -0000

Because of very tight times, I too may take in stray cats or dogs for variuos uses

Re: Question of the day

cermak_rd — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:13:24 -0000

been there,

Actually, in my case it's stray dogs. I'd go with cats, too (I don't think Berwyn limits them), but my partner's allergic.

Re: Question of the day

Hair today, gone.... — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:55:23 -0000

Four kids in private schools and I've cut back on my donations to the Catholic Church.

Re: Question of the day

Resume Writer — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:51:10 -0000

I live in downstate Illinois and work in St. Louis. A group of local writers here recently started the Resume Dictionary, a free resource to help job hunters develop their resume for success, and I've been volunteering my time to help create entries and articles for the site. We even hosted a series of free resume writing workshops to help unemployed workers in the area.

Re: Question of the day

Niles Township — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:34:38 -0000

We had a daughter in December so I've been spending money like never before.

Re: Question of the day

Cinho — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:34:36 -0000

I'm doing lots of volunteer work. I'm a volunteer firefighter, Girl Scout leader, and Sunday School teacher. Instead of asking to be reimbursed for expenses I incur during my volunteer work, I include those expenses as part of my donation to those organizations so they have more money for other things. Also, our renter at our other home lost her job. We are being extremely lenient with the rent as she looks for work. Still saving up $$ for a Cap Fax subscription. :)

Re: Question of the day

Justice — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:27:18 -0000

We have increased our donations to the Salvation Army. They are there when the cameras aren't. Am involved in pushing for alternative sources of energy, i.e. solar and wind. Try and buy products made in the US....and that is much tougher than you might think. Helping friends and relatives plan gardens and teaching then how to can and preserve food grown by local farms. Continue to teach others how to save money through common sense ideas. Buying flowers on sale at the grocery stores and giving to the elderly in the neighborhood to help brighten their day. Offering encouragement, hope, and a smile to those I meet. Trying my best to run over politicians who are liars. That alone keeps my spirits up!

Re: Question of the day

Deeda — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:40:23 -0000

We donate our extra pennies. I give canned food to the local church. I also started a special religious education program at our local church. We are still looking for people to donate some time to help us.

Re: Question of the day

crazy times — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:35:00 -0000

I'm so broke I can't even pay attention!

Re: Question of the day

Lakefront Liberal — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:20:04 -0000

Started doing an automatic monthly donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, but other than that have just tried to keep all my spending the same.

Re: Question of the day

Anon — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:09:02 -0000

I am going to buy a Rolex with my stimulus check.

Re: Question of the day

bored on 1 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:49:25 -0000

Our church goes down to a church in Washington Park and takes lunch, stuffed animals, clothes for winter, and last time, two deer (the ground meat). When I ask for help, no one complains about tough times, because no matter how bad it is in our little community, Washington Park has it a whole lot worse. And the people, especially the children, are so grateful. It makes me forget my house problems, etc.

Re: Question of the day

sparky — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:46:08 -0000

Dropped a big chunk on a new super efficient HVAC system and following it up with tankless water heater this month.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:34:11 -0000

Im waiting for that extra 8 to 10 bucks in my paycheck, then im going hog wild.

Re: Question of the day

Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and C — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:22:45 -0000

I still have a good job with a good company (THank God). I go to work, pay the mortgage, buy gas, groceries, contribute to our Church with $$$ and time and keeping contibuting to my 200 1/2K I mean 401K.