Cutting back

jetta SG

Who's feeling the pinch? So many reports in the news about people cutting back. Are you affected? How are you cutting back?

Meia Gisborn SG

I'm definitely feeling it, in the form of sticker shock from filling up at the station and higher prices on everything else. I'm driving less now, and consolidating trips to save on gas.

And I'm not the only one who's driving less, judging from the increase in bus ridership. The morning and evening express buses to and from downtown are now packed.

jetta SG

Has the bus company talked about raising fare prices? Our busses here charge $2.25 per trip. How much does yours charge?

I'm trying to eat in more often, use less, etc.

udontknowme SG

by cash, it's C$2.75 per bus ride. it's insane.
and if i buy tokens at the stations, it's C$2.35 per token.
but if i buy tickets at the corner store where my aunt lives, i can get 2 tickets for C$2.50. AND!! i NEVER knew that till last night!!!! damn! :x

and actually, i dont know very many people who are cutting back. just loads of people who are COMPLAINING.

jetta SG

and actually, i dont know very many people who are cutting back. just loads of people who are COMPLAINING.

Are Canadians materialistic like Americans? Seems like Americans keep spending money on big toys.

udontknowme SG

cant generalize that way now, can we? lol!

errr....i dunno ><

it was in the news the other day though that trucks and big cars arent selling well. erm.....yeahhh.....

i guess at the end of the day, canadians are somewhat more 'earth-friendly'. probably (and im really just guessing here) because they just want to be different from their bros down south and oh come on, we canadians have got to live up to our reputation you know.... being the more 'civilized' and less 'obnoxious' ones in north america. :twisted:

Meia Gisborn SG

Has the bus company talked about raising fare prices? Our busses here charge $2.25 per trip. How much does yours charge?

I'm trying to eat in more often, use less, etc.

The express buses here charge $2.75 per trip during peak hours. That's the "pay as you board" fare--almost all of the regular riders use stored value cards or passcards that discount the fare slightly. I use a passcard that is heavily subsidized by the state and allows me unlimited travel on all the public buses and trains in the metro area (one of the "perks" of being a civil serpent!).

jetta SG

I never knew you worked for the govt!

SpeedStar SG

i though i saw from the news that ford is reducing the production for SUV. For I will try to go out less often :)

Arapahoe SG

the first thing is to stop dining out. That monies to save it for gasoline.

If you want to eat decent food buy and home cook. Saved 50%.

Look for bargin hunter deal. Go to the stores on weekday evening.

VSE SG

Cutting back without comprising really. I see folks stocking up on frozen dinners and frozen meat. Quality of those food are just terrible. You can save and yet eat healthy. Farmer's market for starters. Buy what you can eat for a couple of days.

Transportation wise, I really wanted to take a bus to work. I did and what was supposed to be a 15min 1-way car journey became a 1.5hr 1-way bus ordeal with 1 transfer. Let's suppose the car journey costs me $7.50 (gas + depreciation of car parts). Bus ride is $1.00. I practically sold 75min of my life (again 1-way) for $6.50 ($5.20/hr). I make $X/hr.

If X << $5.20, then sure, take the bus. This means you make more per hour taking the bus than working.

If X = $5.20. Take bus 50% of the time.

If X = $5.20 + delta, where delta is small. Take bus 25% of the time.

If X > $5.20. Drive 50%.

If X >> $5.20. Driving 100%.

If X>>>$5.20. Flying a chopper to work.

Arapahoe SG

frozen food -- not my taste lah....But i can tell you....Try visit $0.99 cent store on Saturday morning when they shelved up. Their Fruits and Vegetable are really fresh and cheap. They are not rejects. Perhaps is only on socal.

taking public transport are limited to resident that have:

1) stay in metro area where public transport are available.

2) your jobs is strictly by the hour and there are no uncertain overtime. So Federal employees yes but private sector you can forget about it.

3) Be sure you have a back up transport on call. Or else you sleep in your work place.

littlestream SG

that ox head brand of rice rose from C$10.99 a bag (18lbs) to C$17.99. wth!!!!

Tammiemeow SG

Hi I am relatively new to the forum.... I am in Melbourne. Was at the supermarket, and saw the shelves for rice almost empty. Is there goin to be a famine or what?

dumbdumb! SG

that ox head brand of rice rose from C$10.99 a bag (18lbs) to C$17.99. wth!!!!

is rice that expensive????

littlestream SG

is rice that expensive????

there are cheaper brands. i used to see a C$6.99 bag but that same bag now costs about C$10.99.

dumbdumb! SG

there are cheaper brands. i used to see a C$6.99 bag but that same bag now costs about C$10.99.

tts canada issit

littlestream SG

Hi I am relatively new to the forum.... I am in Melbourne. Was at the supermarket, and saw the shelves for rice almost empty. Is there goin to be a famine or what?

welcome, tammiemeow. please come back more often to chat. however, i have been missing in action for a long while. busy with other priorities but will try to be back whenever i can.

hee hee......i doubt lah......

so, how's life in melbourne?

littlestream SG

tts canada issit

toronto to be exact. i don't know about the west coast.

dumbdumb! SG

toronto to be exact. i don't know about the west coast.

oh dear. i've got a friend over there. erin