Has the recession hit (your) home?

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| Thursday, April 17, 2008 | (78 comment(s))

Has your life been affected by the recession? Are you spending more and getting less? Are you having trouble paying your bills? Your mortgage? Your car payment? Your children's tuition? Have you had to cut nonessentials such as seeing shows or other recreational activities?

If you are willing to talk, The Times wants to listen. Please send e-mail to business@nwitimes.com and include your name and phone number. Your tale may be told in an upcoming story.

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Lake Resident wrote on Apr 22, 2008 9:08 AM:

" It's going to be a bleak summer for the travel industry. People are going to be staying in their backyards this year. "

Saint John Wayne wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:40 PM:

" Recession effects us all in one way or another. How long will the analyst keep suggesting gas prices will be $$$$ by dooms day 20?? ? Wall Street analyst keep pushing the cost of oil higher almost daily and the news keeps reporting up to the minute bad news. The bubble in the housing market deflated ripping equity right out of our pockets. Oil companies definitely have the upper hand for now and eventually their bubble will burst too. Something odd struck me while looking for an affordable used car for my daughter. Go car shopping and look at the fuel consumption ratings listed on the new vehicles. Most start as low as 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, it doesn't matter if you are buying an American manufactured vehicle or a foreign vehicle. Now look at the stock on the lot and try to find the high mileage vehicles, you will find more trucks and SUV's than fuel economy vehicles. The price of Cheap Anything is a thing of the past, but when was it ever cheap? Recession is a term used when you are out of a job. How is Inflation Effecting Your Economy ? "

Silas wrote on Apr 21, 2008 7:46 PM:

" 57 items of food at Walmart cost my family $191.86 I have talked to the corporate Hq and they say they will be passing the sharp increase in food to every item in the store.

Thanks Clintons

"

landlord wrote on Apr 21, 2008 7:17 PM:

" This is not a message to all but to many. Untill we quit looking to consumer products and start looking to God and our family for happiness and fulfillment we will always be stretched financially. "

Fed Up wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:23 PM:

" Yes the recession has effected us. If we as Americans would all band together to start buying only American made products the US would start producing more manufacturing jobs. In turn people would have better jobs and would have the cash to buy more things and to live better. Just think people it is the importing laws that have effected the way things are at this time and place. NAFTA was the biggest start of this. That happened during the Clinton administration. Bill allowed all these products to come into our country without paying taxes on them.
I am a Democrat at heart but this year I won't be voting that way. Things need to change. It is going to hurt but things have to change. No more welfare, food stamps and people on Social Security that are alcoholics or drugies. That would be a start. Like I said it is going to hurt but to turn around this country it must be done. "

bill p wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:09 PM:

" People get over it, the days of cheap gas is over! We have been under paying for years! Park your SUV and gas guzzling pickup trucks. We are not the Dukes Of Hazzard anymore. "

Frustrated to no end wrote on Apr 21, 2008 3:26 PM:

" Lets talk about recession. About one year ago I felt it at home. I lived in a two bedroom apartment. I am a single mom of one. We had to down size to a one bedroom aprtment now. My child has the bedroom and I have the living room. Go grocery shopping, that is next to impossible these days. I go grocery shopping every two weeks now because I can not afford to go on a weekly basis. I have a full time job, but once all the necessary bills are paid, there is nothing left. I fill up my car once a week with gas and that cost $40.00 now. Entertainment, foeget about it. I can not afford it. We stay at home and I know my child is bored to tears but with the way the economy is these days, I cannot afford to even go to the show. If you go to the park, you have worry about weirdo's. It is never ending. The economic stimulis will help a little when we get it. "

true patriot wrote on Apr 21, 2008 2:36 PM:

" i'm sure you won't post this "freedom of speech" rant, but how can you ask this question?
A. we are not in a recession.
B. Define recession.
a decline in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for two or more consecutive quarters.

there, i did it for you. "

NO... wrote on Apr 21, 2008 1:56 PM:

" property taxes have hit my home! "

Lukee wrote on Apr 21, 2008 1:12 PM:

" A vote for Obama or Clinton is a vote for more apathy in America. The Democratic goverment taxes the heck out of working Americans for programs that really help nobody. Our income tax, property tax, sales tax, etc, etc are causing us not to be able to afford anything. What really pains me about Clinton and Obama is that they want to fund they programs that help American dead beats. Instead of giving out more welfare money or giving everyone free healtchcare, why don't they try to create jobs for these people or just make them get jobs. The attitude for most of these people is, "It's easier and more lucrative to collect welfare than to get a real job." Clinton and Obama just keep fostering that attitude by not fixing existing programs. Just listen to these goofy radio or TV programs where the guest callers are deadbeats without jobs that sit home watch TV and get high. Working American's tax money is going to support these people, it's a sad fact. I'm really tired of my taxes going up and I am middle class, slowly sinking to lower class. "

WISEGUY wrote on Apr 21, 2008 12:14 PM:

" Unless you buy absolutely nothing and pay no taxes how could you not be affacted. "

Agree wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:08 AM:

" To: Wimpy
I agree... being a single mom for years now I have found out that if would be much easier to live off the government. In fact I am begining to think that, that's what they want us to do. They don't want to help people that work for a living, the only people that can get help are the people living off of OUR tax dollars. It's a bunch of crap! "

Wimpy wrote on Apr 21, 2008 10:27 AM:

" Has the recession hit (your) home? What home? I lost my home because I could no longer afford the $800 mortgage. I now live in my van down by the river. I still have job, do I qualify for government programs or do I have to be unemployed? If so I quit my job today and mooch of your tax dollars like so many other deadbeats already do. I am slowly finding out it's cheaper to be unempoloyed. Why work when the government will pay your way? Ahh.. how I envy the homeless. "

delbert wrote on Apr 21, 2008 7:56 AM:

" Thanks W. for that economic stimulus check! I'm sure it will go far...maybe China! "

Almost Homeless wrote on Apr 21, 2008 7:20 AM:

" I live off of 2500.00 a month with 4 people (2 adults and 2 children) - after paying rent 840.00, electric 150.00, phone 75.00, 300.00 for gas (back and forth to work), college fees and groceries (from the store - we never eat out or go anywhere) there's nothing left. In fact I had an unexpected incident last month and haven't been able to go to the store for over a week - there is only baking soda in the refrigerator. Thank god for canned goods and homemade bread. We're managing. But yes, times are tough and the depression has hit my home. "

TS wrote on Apr 21, 2008 7:04 AM:

" Really think about this for awhile. Think about what your grand parents or great grand parents went through during The Great Depression. What this Nation is going through ,right now is nowhere near that. If they could live though that, then we can live through what's going on now. It's time to stop pointing fingers and blaming others and it's time to start being grateful for what you do have. Times are rough for some right now, yes, but they also could be much, much worse. "

Mark wrote on Apr 21, 2008 12:44 AM:

" OPEC is not anyone's friend. Even if they believe supply is adequate and do not want to increase their overall Production, they could make the following statement (w/o any overall increase) that if there is any disruption on a daily bases other Members will pick up the slack so the overall Production level stays the same. Therefore, any minor disruption like weather or trouble at a single pipeline (and so on) will not give any ammunition to manipulators to influence the markets.
"

Munster Resident wrote on Apr 20, 2008 8:28 AM:

" I use to keep my thermastat at 65, but this winter I get it at 60. I actually had a credit of $3.32, so my NIPSCO budget will not go up. When I had to buy a new car, I got a nice car, but something better on gas. I do not make extra trips in my car. If I have to run an errand I do it on the way to of from work. I am even to the point of buying a moped for my 2.4 mile commute to work. I know it will be funny to see a lady in a skirt riding a moped, but a girl has to do what a girl has to do.
I have also see several people drop out of my MBA program due to increase in gas prices. How sad that when you have to the chance to further your education, that you can't even afford to drive to classroom. "

Rocket Scientist wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:46 PM:

" To the "Euro" or whatever... Since you like the idea so much, why don't you go ahead and move down to Mexico... see what a cesspool it is.. the ask yourself if you'd really want to live like that. If you think immigration is bad now... if you think the health care system is clogged with non-paying illegals now... wait till the NAU! The grass is NOT always greener on the other side... I highly suggest you pull your head out of your (you know what)!!! "

frustrated wrote on Apr 19, 2008 9:03 PM:

" Is there any hope that things will improve? I'm so frustrated and saddened with the current economy situation. Something needs to change and needs to change now or most of us are gonna end up homeless. I carpool now and eating out is a rarity and can't afford movies either. I still have a roof over my head for now. My boss still goes on 4 vacations a year while I do her work and no pay raise. Maybe we should all call off a few days and see what happens. At least it would save us a few bucks on gas. Isn't there a phone # to call and complain? "

America Has Been Sold wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:35 PM:

" I think the governement is selling America out for big corporate! Whether democrat or rebublican, they're all the same. It's like a slight of hand, they point the finger at each other for America's shortcomings while they make millions and while they steer the world closer to the one world govenment and dollar. America has been more like a Monarchy than a Democracy, we've had a Bush or Clinton in office for nearly 28 years now.

It's a scandal and regardless of who wins in November, not much is going to change. The poloticians, who are mostly 2nd or 3rd generation politicions are robbing from the middle class to create a comfortable life for their familes, while selling out America and what we stand for. The politicians have all of the corporate officers paying them huge money to keep the status quo, how else do you make 10s of millions of dollars? You may say this is a conspiracy theory but it's also the truth. "

Economic Turmoil wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:26 PM:

" The housing crisis was brought on by the top banking, lending institutions and the Fed. I am confident that they all new this day was coming, the day of reconing. The government officials, fed officials and banking institutions all profited and most of them walked away with millions if not billions. It was Allan Greenspan that said "Americans should be taking more advantage of the low interest rate arms". There was no way to see double digit growth in home prices year over year without income levels raising at a similar pace. I feel for the trap and I believed we were onto something with the highest Homeownership rates ever. Unfortinately, as the average American continues to rack up debt just to get by, they wont be able to count on their home equity to bail them out any longer. With the Fed lying about inflation and wth our dollar depreciating at an alarming rate, who knows where this will go. "

Economic Turmoil wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:17 PM:

" What ever happened to paying for the Iraq war with their oil reserves and profits? Initially I believe it was Donald Rumsfield that said the cost of the Iraq war would be offset by the Iraq oil profits but instead American tax payers are bearing the cost of freeing the Iraq's from a dictator. I'm all about getting insane Hussein out of power and allowing the Iraq people to run their own country. However, they should pay for their own freedom with the large amount of oil reserves they can access. "

Earl J. wrote on Apr 19, 2008 2:01 PM:

" Want to save gas? Do the speed limit. For the people who still have a job, leave your house a few minutes early so you are not in a big hurry. Try not breaking the law for a change and hang up the cell phone and drive. "

The Cost of Just Breathing wrote on Apr 19, 2008 1:46 PM:

" My husband, who is self-employed, now has to work 12 hour days to make the same money as he use to in 8 hours. On top of it all, I was just "laid off", in truth, they plan on hiring someone to do my job cheaper! Yes, he's working longer and I have no income now, I was the primary breadwinner. I no longer shop for deals on our son's clothes at JC Penney and Kohls, it is now Goodwill and AmVets. I am an avid coupon clipper and our meals are based on what is on sale at the grocery store. I no longer buy cheese, only milk. And that's only because we have to for our son. We are considered middle class, I have always been a penny pincher, but the current state of the economy is ridicilous! "

Aim wrote on Apr 19, 2008 11:19 AM:

" I live in a town called Wonder Lake, yet some things are cheap, but I finally found a job, not great paying, but even with my money, and my fiancee money we are only able to pay a truck payment 200,a boat payment 140.00 and rent 850.00 we can not afford any other things: Yet his job pays very well, but because of the businesses going out of business we are barely making it! Subsidy is the only way for a lot of people! "

A New Mom wrote on Apr 19, 2008 9:52 AM:

" I am a young married woman who just recently had my first baby last year. My husband is old fashioned and feels I should stay at home with our son, however with the rise in prices from eggs to gas, there is no way we can do that anymore. We are basically working to put gas in our car and provide the basic necessities for survival. No more little trips to the zoos or museums, we just can't afford it. Our economy is in shambles, and all I can say to it is "Thanks George." "

SOLUTION wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:38 AM:

" I don't see anyone PUSHING anybody to buy SUV's or PICKUP TRUCKS. It is a personal choice. No one ever said people always make wise decisions. All of you are blaming Bush for the gasoline prices, but there is nothing any politician can do today to bring down the price of oil. It is a world commodity and is sold as such. As millions more Chinese become wealthier, they will buy cars and increase the demand for oil. OPEC will only pump so much and therefore keep the prices high. Instead of blaming Bush, look at the people who have been in Congress for the last 30 years. They are the ones who could have changed our energy policy after the '78 oil embargo. They did absolutely nothing. Now the politicians are scurrying around looking for short term answers to a long term problem. You buy a vehicle that gets good mileage, you just prolong delaying the developement of alternative fuel. Ethanol is not the answer, but we are gearing up more and more for its use. It will be another heartbreaker. Hydrogen is the answer. Our Govt should be funding that development in fuel rather that shooting space shuttles. "

Gus wrote on Apr 19, 2008 6:52 AM:

" For all those region-types complaining about the high cost of medical care the answer is simple: return to school and endure the self-denial and years of study it takes to become a competent physician, earn your M.D., and then open your doors and provide all the free- or reduced-cost medical care your hearts desire. "

cj wrote on Apr 19, 2008 6:52 AM:

" I live in Hammond. What has hurt more than anything else is the cost of government. The higher taxes, along with a considered income tax add substantially to our loss of income.

"

RE: The Euro wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:18 PM:

" Bottom line: the US dollar is still stronger than the mexican peso. Get it right. But one thing is for sure, the Euro is stronger than the dollar is. I don't believe that has ever happened before. But the thing is, we as US Citizens, are still living cheaper than the Europeans are. Do the research to see what the price of gas or food is there. I have family in Europe and to be honest...I don't see paying $7 for a tube of toothpaste. And we get gas by the gallon, in Europe they are paying the same price or more than we are, but they are getting charged by the litre!! Get your facts straight! We're still better off then Mexico and Europe. Canada has a better health system in place for it's citizens and retired people. Ours completely sucks to the point our elderly and underprivilaged cant afford the medicine they need. Our friend heads back to Canada for her yearly checkups and medicines. NOW ISN'T THAT MORE OF A SHAME THAN YOU PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PRICE OF WHAT SOMETHING COSTS AT THE MARKET OR PUMP? "

St. John Wayne wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:43 PM:

" Pumping our own oil, we use to but the ecologists put a stop to that because of the high sulfur content. I like the Rocket Scientists idea of a one day work call off, hope the doctors and emergency teams don't think like you. State and Federal eliminating taxes on fuel, it's a good idea to create more waste. Hanna Indiana made a good point. Live closer to work, forget using a fishing boat and whatever you do don't have more than two children then you won't need that SUV. As for the Prius owner I already own one the only thing I'm saving is fuel for someone who drives a Pick-up or SUV. The cost of the vehicle and it's regular scheduled maintenance can eat into the savings. Capitalism as we know it will eventually fail all you have to do is study past history. And whatever you do buy gold if you can even hold it or afford it. I should have bought into it when gold was thirty two dollars an ounce. Write your elected officials and tell them we need good jobs with on the job training and health benefits. Could I say more? "

Oh Boy wrote on Apr 18, 2008 3:17 PM:

" Off to the bankruptcy attorney I go "

The Euro wrote on Apr 18, 2008 12:29 PM:

" remains remarkedly stable averaging 1.5 U.S. dollars. Americans are so afraid of unionizing with our neighbors, Canada and Mexico, that will we allow the U.S. dollar to keep losing ground while the rest of the world consolidates against us. We are afraid of a highway and rail system that will allow us to maximize resources.
When we crumble will we blame Bush?
Remember our founding fathers said "United We Stand Divided We Fall" now you all want to stand divided against our neighbors, who are just people, like us, who want to eat and have a home like us. But we hate them for some reason and discriminate against them for some reason, so I guess they will have to produce their oil and agriculture without us too.
Because we are afraid. "

HELP wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:54 AM:

" I can not buy food I can not pay for gas I have to go to the food pantry and never had to before thanks to our GOVERMENT take care of the others but screw us!!!!!! "

Kaye wrote on Apr 18, 2008 9:57 AM:

" Yes, we really feel the pinch at the grocery store, it seems every trip gets more expensive. From eggs, bread and now bananas. I try to feed my children healthy foods like fruit but it seems the healthier you eat the more it costs. I am thankful I bought a Corolla a few years back instead of that mini-van I was considering. I am glad I don't have a car payment and that I get 35 MPG. The middle class family is just struggling to stay afloat between child care costs & tuition payments. I just hope this housing situation gets worked out as I work for a builder/developer and I am praying they stay in business so I don't loose my job like so many others. "

Expect to pay more for much less wrote on Apr 18, 2008 9:00 AM:

" Back in 1973, the Trilateral Commission delivered a report on "The Survival of Capitalism". It said that if capitalism was to survive, that by the year 2000 the middle class would have to learn to spend a lot more for a lot less. Looks like we're learning that lesson right now. "

To allan m wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:57 AM:

" Yes, gas prices are higher around the world than in the US. However, almost all other civilized countries have a modern mass transit system, reducing the need for gas. Other countries also sell vehicles which get high mileage, while the US automakers keep pushing monster trucks and SUVs. And don't forget that in most other civilized countries, the high price of gasoline is offset by free medical care. "

Dan wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:26 AM:

" If they brought back income averaging in the tax code and fixed the alternative minimum tax to hit higher it would really soften these hard times and the bubbles wouldn't grow so fast either. Anyone ever notice that its since Reagan terminated income averaging that these boom-bust cycles have just been getting worse and worse? "

Portage Res wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:55 AM:

" The NAU is real, do some research on it. Think beyond your daily life, what to wear to work, what to pack the kids for lunch and realize what our president has done to us. "

SUV's wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:15 AM:

" SUV's aren't any safer than cars. They jus t give you the illusion that they are because of their size. SUV's are more than 2 times more likely to roll over in an accident than cars and children are three times more likely to have serious injuries in a roll over accident. If you bought a large enough car you might have the room for all of your kids. Maybe even a wagon. You really should get your facts straight before you start freaking out on people for no reason. And maybe before you buy a gas guzzling ego machine that probably costs you 3 times as much. "

Mark Horowitz wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:09 AM:

" Free Tibet! Wag the Dog! What Recession? There are so many issues in the world that I can't even see what's going on here. You're telling me I have to spend one fourth of my salary on gas? Since when? Free Tibet! "

southern lake county res wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:11 PM:

" im not a millionaire, & no one i know is. bush is sending everyone who works hard enough to the streets starving. kids who work threw high school cant even afford their gas or bills now. i almost want to say lets do a march to get our justice back. our freedom has now become not free anymore. we're forced to pay just to survive. no wonder the real estate is crashing, restraunts going out of business & such. no one cant afford it anymore. "

Cheap wrote on Apr 17, 2008 4:06 PM:

" Please let me make comment and then a quick point.
The comment.
I convert Prius into Plug-in Prius that that over 100mpg. I have been driving one for over a year now using Clean Domestic Wind Energy to offset the amount of Dirty Foreign Oil I need to buy.
Now the point.
My Plug-in uses batteries to hold electric power to propel my car, and it gets over 100mpg, but I also know of an SUV that gets 150mpg, that is on the road now. It can get better gas mileage because it is a bigger car and it can hold more batteries.
Why is our government not asking our auto industry to make these cars? It is time to start asking questions. "

ivan wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:57 AM:

" Quote from below - "So go get in your Smart car and pray you will never get hit by me." - That sounds like a threat. "

Melanie wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:53 AM:

" To the person who responded to my comment about the SUV's, take a chill. My point was that the big auto makers are doing nothing to bring down the mpg on the smaller cars, for those of us who wish to buy those cars. They make all their money on SUV's so they don't care about the environment. If you have 3 kids and need an SUV for their safety that's fine. I am not telling you how to spend your money, so there is no reason to get all bent about it. "

Hey melanie wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:51 AM:

" Don't tell me what to buy if I want a suv I will buy one it is my desision. I will not put my kids in a small car to get good gas milage so they can get hurt in a crash. By the way how do you put 3 kids in car seats in a small car? You buy your small car and I will keep driving my suv. This is America if I want to spend my money on gas instead of other crap made in CHina I will. So go get in your Smart car and pray you will never get hit by me. "

Concerned Sportsman wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:35 AM:

" SUVs and pickup trucks do eat a lot of fuel due to their inefficient systems, but if you really want to know where our precious fuel is being wasted, look no further than sporting events!

Bass tournament fishermen can easily waste up to 100 gallons of fuel in a single weekend event with vehicles that only get 6 mpg towing a boat that gets around 2 mpg on the water...multiply that by 100 or more entries into any given event, which takes place all across the country, every week of the year; add to that the fuels consumed by vehicles in racing venues.

Perhaps the "sporting" men & women who play on the water or on the track should help the rest of the country out by using more efficient vehicles and limiting the amount of events which waste so much of our precious fuel. "

allan m wrote on Apr 17, 2008 4:41 AM:

" Gas prices around the world as of 4/24 suggest we are in for continued increases as demand in third world increases

Amsterdam $6.48
Norway $6.27
Italy $5.96
Denmark $5.93
Belgium $5.91
Sweden $5.80
United Kingdom $5.79
Germany $5.57
France $5.54
Portugal $5.35
Hungary $4.94
Luxembourg $4.82
Croatia $4.81
Ireland $4.78
Switzerland $4.74
Spain $4.55
Japan $4.24
"

nan wrote on Apr 16, 2008 8:06 PM:

" Come on stimulus checks. I'll use mine to pay the interest on all the gas I charged this last year. Two of my adult children moved out this past year, and I'm still spending the same amount at the grocery stores. It sucks. Everything has gone up faster than you can say, bye-bye George W,! "

melanie wrote on Apr 16, 2008 12:57 PM:

" Fuel costs affects everything since it is either shipped using fuel or made with fuel. Everyone needs to stop purchasing SUV's and Pickup Trucks - sorry but that is where the auto mfrs are making their money. Maybe this will force them to design autos with better fuel economy. As for that government check - mine will be used to fill up gas in my car and pay bills, I will not be spending it. As long as you are not selling your home, the value will go back up after a few years. "

AK47 wrote on Apr 16, 2008 9:25 AM:

" Has anyone paid attention to the rising cost of EGGS? It's obscene. "

Rocket Scientist wrote on Apr 15, 2008 7:32 PM:

" Donny, I think you're right! Most people aren't paying attention to this, but google "North American Union." Or as some call it, "NAFTA on steroids." Also look at articles on the "Amero," which is supposedly going to be our new currency once the dollar collapses completely. It's all part of a plan that W and his cronies don't want us to know about, but the info is out there. It's all happening right under all of our noses, and when it finally takes off, I think this country will be spun into another civil war. Scary stuff... and just some food for thought. "

Donny wrote on Apr 15, 2008 12:30 PM:

" I knew this was going to happen. When George Bush was elected I predicted he would get us 1) in a war 2) screw up the economy. What I fear next is riots in the streets of our cities that will be so massive that the police will be unable to contain them-don't reley on the national guard, they are in Iraq. If people are laid off from their jobs, people will resort to vicious to support themselves. Remember the Good ole days of Bill Clinton???? "

TS wrote on Apr 15, 2008 10:32 AM:

" Oh please if I had a dollar for every person who said stop spending your money to put the hurt on business and our government I'd be a rich person. The problem with your idea is this. You may be saving money by not spending it but in truth your doing more damage to our economy. Because lets say you stop going to the grocery store, their sales drop so they in-turn have to let people go or worse yet close altogether. So now all those people don't have jobs. If they can't find a job they have to seek help from our government. Which means they are not paying taxes, etc. and you the employed are paying for it all. All because you stopped spending your money to put the hurt on business and our government. So spend your money, but spend it wisely. Buy local whenever you can. Drive only when you need to. Demand public transportation. Look on-line for easy ways to save money yet still have fun. "

Mullholland Man wrote on Apr 15, 2008 8:31 AM:

" I don't like all forms of government but my family and I are doing fine. We'd go to the dollar stores or Goodwill mainly for our daughter. We use water purifier that's attached to the faucet instead of buying bottled water. We also buy generic cereal. We'd set the heat at 68 throughout winter. We'd open up the windows when it's mild outside. We rarely use a\c. We have energy bulbs. So I guess some people should give it a try. It'd make a difference on the NIPSCO bill. CVS has low-priced milk. Use the South Shore as much as possible if you plan to go to Chicago or South Bend (Go Irish!) "

opi wrote on Apr 15, 2008 12:48 AM:

" I've just found out that after so many deductions when your income hits zero...doesn't matter if there are still more deductions. How am I living then, what with the zero income and all supposedly? good question... "

Rocket Scientist wrote on Apr 15, 2008 12:27 AM:

" If I buy a big mac, it becomes my property to do with as I please. I don't continue to pay taxes on it for 30 years after I've eaten it! How is a home any different? (besides the fact that you can't eat it... and I know someone would have pointed that out.) "

Lake Co. Res wrote on Apr 14, 2008 11:49 PM:

" I can control what I spend on food, utilities, and entertainment. But, I can not control the cost of my property taxes. This tax situation in Lake Co. is out of balance and out of control. The whole property tax process needs to be fixed. Can the State of Indiana PLEASE Fix the property tax thing? "

A Greenspan wrote on Apr 14, 2008 5:36 PM:

" What?!! Everything is fine! Go back to sleep! "

TAXED OUT OF NW INDIANA wrote on Apr 14, 2008 5:03 PM:

" The unreal taxing on realestate in NW Indiana has not only devaled realestate but has put the entire area into depression. The rate of taxation in the 100's percent has taken Thousands out of any investment made her-You can no longer keep up your propertys paying the rates we do and there is no relief in sight. Your wages dont go up the present your taxed-Rents cannot be raised to compensate the tax increarse-No longer worth investing here... "

SOLUTION wrote on Apr 14, 2008 4:01 PM:

" The United States is at a turning point in history. Thirty years ago the politians that are still in office made the WRONG turn. We are paying for it today and tomorrow, too. "

Kay wrote on Apr 14, 2008 1:43 PM:

" We had the opportunity to switch to bio-fuels in the 70s and it didn't happen; instead we became dependent on foreign oil. Now an attempt to switch to bio-fuel is blamed for the rising food prices. Say what? Property values are going down but property taxes are going up because the trend is for property value to go up (or some nonsense like that) and this current problem in real estate financing will reverse soon enough. Sure it will. And our tax caps aren't going into effect until 2020 because the County needs the money, but don't worry, you have tax relief, you're just not going to see it for a few years. So besides not being able to afford almost any luxuries, never knowing when yet another bill is going to be increased, and having no clue how much a gallon of milk will cost this week (much less a gallon of gas), I'm also getting less respect from our elected officials and becoming more disgusted with political rhetoric every day, and more understanding of The Boston Tea Party .... though it isn't tea I want thrown into a local harbor. "

bare bones wrote on Apr 14, 2008 1:40 PM:

" we are told via government and media that we need to tighten our individual budgets in order to comply to the financial demands of this economy.
lets see ...
live in a 113 year old house that continually gets assessed at higher value, yet the only thing holding it together is the belief that i actually bought a house; two paid off vehicles, one 11 years old, the other 7 years; no cable; furnishings from 15 to 70 years old;
energy-saving applicances (because they're so small); food bought from bargain bins at dollar stores; clothing bought from resale shops ... seems i'm a mere tier or two above homeless, yet i work in a technical profession. what else, where else can i cut expenses? any windfall of cash (like this economic stimulus money) that does come my way is immediately scarfed up by property taxes, gasoline costs, or utilities. sometimes, i swear, the state is reviewing my bank accounts just so they know how much to take. "

Hanna Indiana wrote on Apr 14, 2008 1:26 PM:

" To All: The idea of American energy independence is a farce. It will NEVER happen, even with ANWR and other domestic exploration. We import about 60% of our oil and demand is going up every year. As far as the cost of gasoline, long-term, it's going up. Sooner or later all of us will have to change our lifestyles. If you are reading this it probably won't happen in your lifetime but it most certainly will happen in your grandchildren's or great-grandchildren's lifetime. A few questions for you: Do you drive an SUV? Do you drive more than 20 miles to work every day? Do you own a bass boat? Do you have more than two children? You think this is silly? It's not. If you want to see the reason for the increased demand, look in the mirror. "

Keeping Afloat wrote on Apr 14, 2008 1:18 PM:

" Our household is also straining to keep afloat because of the rising cost of living. Eating out is now only a special occasion affair. We also have been spending less at retail stores to try and compensate for the price of gas to just get to and from work. We now try to plan all our errand runs to coincide trips to and from work to try and save fuel. Why doesn't the state cut fuel tax to ease the pain at the pump. The rising cost of living all starts with the price of fuel. "

Yes! wrote on Apr 14, 2008 12:57 PM:

" The recession has hit. We have a mayor that ruined the chance for any of the property tax relief the rest of the state enjoys. On top of that we now pay an additional 1% in sales tax and this idiot (McDermott)is now crying for a 1% county income tax.

I hope all voters/taxpayers remember McDermott when he runs for office again. The man stuck a knife in our backs and thinks we'll forget by the time ha holds another pep ralley at Carson's.

By the way, whats going on with Carsons, McDimwit? It looks no different now than it did 6 months ago. "

Rocket Scientist wrote on Apr 14, 2008 12:19 PM:

" The price of everything keeps going up because the value of the dollar is going nowhere but down... So what I would like to know is this: Since the value of the dollar is down, why is our pay staying the same? Our employers are essentially paying us less and less! I guess the fact that we spend 1/2 or more of our lives at our place of employment just isn't worth all that much either... I think we need some sort of nationwide revolt! I'm sure everyone can afford to call off at least once. What if everyone in the country called off work on the same day? Bring the entire country to a grinding halt for one whole day. "

sad wrote on Apr 14, 2008 11:30 AM:

" when a career professional needs to acquire 'new' clothing from resale shops, food from bargain bins at dollar stores, and needs to watch his property deteriorate due to the lack being able to save any of his income because of obscene property tax increases and rising fuel costs, how could one not blame the (state and federal) government? "

Thanks McDimwit wrote on Apr 14, 2008 11:07 AM:

" Thanks for ensuring Hammond property owners do not get any help with the property tax caps! You got my vote last time, never again! Who's side are you on, never mind, we know the answer. "

Disturbed wrote on Apr 14, 2008 7:48 AM:

" Ten years ago (or so), the government would release oil from our reserves when prices got too high. And then the prices went down. Bush will never do that - he (and his cronies in oil) are making obscene amounts of money while we struggle. "

Angry Resident wrote on Apr 14, 2008 7:41 AM:

" The only way are fuel prices are going to go down is to start putting pressure on Washington Democrats to start drilling and tapping into our own resources of oil and quit depending on the other countries and the prices they want to charge and we are forced to pay. "

Dutchgirl wrote on Apr 14, 2008 7:35 AM:

" We never really had the money to do to much before but now we cant do anything but try to survive. Yeah thats the way to live. "

praying and standing wrote on Apr 14, 2008 6:06 AM:

" With the cost of everything going up, not just fuel, like NISPCO, milk, pop, cheese, and everything else. What really hurt is to see crime go up, taxes going up, but the property value in Gary, East Chicago, Hammond going down. I can not refinance to get a lower rate or take money out because the value of my property continues to decrease. I can not do anything but leave my home because we can not afford it. I am even trying to ride my bicycle to work(downtown Chicago). If that is not how the economy has effected our lives I don't know what is. "

Cost of living wrote on Apr 13, 2008 11:58 AM:

" The economy has effected my household as well. I was thinking if every household would not spend money that they already cannot afford to spend one weekend out the month. Maybe the business owners and the government will feel it in their pocket as well. "

pcf wrote on Apr 13, 2008 11:07 AM:

" The cost of fuel has brought the cost of everything up!! Except our pay it makes it impossible to do anything much less pay your own bills. "

Indiana wrote on Apr 12, 2008 12:38 PM:

" The economy has effected my household. We dont eat out as much or drive anywhwere not needed( No sunday drives anymore )I have cut back on anything not a nessesity.. "

Paula Reno wrote on Apr 12, 2008 8:39 AM:

" If the goverment want to help the economy lets lower the fuel costs some how. This is what is causing the problem..I cannot do as much as I used to because it cost 2.5 time moret to fill up my tank in my vehicles. "

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