DISQUS

mark · 1 year ago

my wife and i have been trying to sell our home for nearly 3 years. we own a house in florida and are living in cleveland, ohio. it's the most expensive storage unit i have ever paid for.

with the strain and stress of not being able to sell our home, we are unable to purchase anything in the cleveland area. we had been living with my in laws for 2.5 years trying everything to sell our property.

Los · 1 year ago

Yea. We are in the same position. Having a house in Cali that dropped over 130,000 in value has put a strain in our month to month living here. It is being leased.

Clayman · 1 year ago

Given that we've lost all of our refrigerated food, it's gonna be pretty hard. We're gonna be back on rice and 1 chicken breast making two meals for four people.

We are wanting to buy some land out west so we can get our milk and eggs (and beef and chicken) as well as veggies from our own hands and not someone else's. Problem is, it takes money to get into that situation.

John · 1 year ago

house... someone buy it please...

Shane Kennard · 1 year ago

We moved 1200 miles from where we were living to plant a church.

We're nuts. But God continues to provide!

Zack · 1 year ago

Man, I just have to say that God has been so, so, so good to us...

We were up against a wall financially, and in *this* economy, God gave me a new job (I didn't apply for it, they found me and pursued me and wouldn't take no for an answer) with a 45% raise *and* I get to work from home!

I did *not* deserve it, but man, it's been awesome!

Amy (Dandelion Seeds) · 1 year ago

Husband lost his business after 7 years because of construction (he did decorative concrete)... still feeling the ramifications of that... then called into church planting... and currently raising funds for the plant as well as our income... we've raised what was needed, but those who have pledged haven't been consistent (which, of course, directly affects us as well). Our house has been on the market for 2 1/2 years and now we must move closer to where hubby is working because we simply can't afford the gas (Suburban because we have seven kids at home) to drive 40 minutes each day.

We were just talking last night on how our life would be different if we had money... we know God will provide... but some days are so tough... more than others know.

mark · 1 year ago

praying for your house to sell, los.

-mark

Russ · 1 year ago

We just moved to a bigger, nicer place.

I got a raise this year.

My wife started a new job that more than doubled our income.

We're able to reduce our debt and save more than we ever have before.

All in all this economic downturn hasn't been quite as bad as the media makes it out to be, for us, but our thought sand prayers are with those who are less fortunate in these times.

Toby @ WTLF · 1 year ago

I guess the economy plays different roles for different people. We move too much to buy a house, so we don't have that stress to deal with. But I went from a line of work that produced close to a 6 figure income for nearly 15 years. Very soon after accepting Christ into our lives, I quit so my wife could pursue her dreams. She is currently doing that in the Army who will pay for her school so she can be a teacher...Thus, her dreams. I have vowed never to work again unless it is helping a church or bringing the lost to Christ. Quite a lengthy comment to say, after all of that, we live better now, with less stress, then we ever have. I won't get into numbers, but let's just say the Army isn't paying their soldiers in the 6 figure range :-). God is great!

ally · 1 year ago

I feel really blessed to not really be affected. Sure I spend more on gas, especially now that I have a 60 mile round-trip commute on the days I do not work from home; but that expense has been relatively easy to absorb. Of course, my 401k is down, but I'm young enough that it doesn't matter. Now if I could just figure out this health insurance stuff....

ruthanne · 1 year ago

i am in a real time of transition right now which is being extended due to the economy - i am raising support to go n the mission field and thus quit my full time job to work part time and raise support the other time. not only does my part time job pay not stretch as far but church's are struggling with their budgets as well leaving them with not a lot of extra money to support new missionaries. any way - i know this is what the Lord wants me to do and he never said following him would be easy - so i go - trusting Him - the only thing we can do right now.

Tim Tibbles · 1 year ago

Since I'm a Worship Minister... I'm poor. I dont have any money in the stock market so the impact on my family has been minimal. Even with gas prices as high as they are I don't drive enough for it to matter.

Jake · 1 year ago

I'm not participating in it.

kristin · 1 year ago

Chad and I both had huge life changes RIGHT BEFORE the bottom fell out ... We both got new jobs in very solid markets that more then doubled out previous right out of college incomes, and we moved into the city for the jobs ... but one thing is for sure; our dreams of home-buying are on the way back burner now. Way, way, way back.
And we are among the many that will pay their self employment taxes in installments.
It is just a weird time for all of us, even those of us that have every reason to be happy and feel secure; that has a different meaning now.

Simone · 1 year ago

My husband was laid off from his church job (which has more to do with declining numbers at the church than declining economy). The lay off required us to sell our home - for less than we paid for it 7 years ago. That is the worst part of the economy for us.

The lay off got us to move to a new city for his new job where he is celebrated. I am now a full-time stay@home mom but I used to work and earned more than my husband before. Our new city has higher gas prices and higher food and all around cost of living expenses. But we are actually doing better these days.

I do have some stocks invested. But you ride it out. That is what the stock market is about. What goes down, usually comes back up. Diversify and plan to be in for the long haul. Slow and steady wins the dividends.

Chris Meirose · 1 year ago

We tried to sell our house, and our local market is a dog, so we have rented it out. I now have 3 properties to manage while being a senior pastor. Not the way to go (unless the housing market rebounds!).

Beyond that, I've been trying to buy up every Vanguard index fund that I can get my money into - VTSMX (primary), VGTSX (secondary), VBMFX (backup plan)

Zach Nielsen · 1 year ago

Has not been affected in any significant ways. Giving is down a bit at the church where I work so we had to cut our budget a bit, but that's not a huge deal. Have not felt it at all. I am glad though that we are not trying to sell our house right now.

z

Derek Sweatman · 1 year ago

what a minute...what's going on?

derek

Marcelo · 1 year ago

Audi supermarket, angel food ministry, volunteering to get gas, WIC vouchers, movies and books from the local public library... should I go on?

portorikan · 1 year ago

not really no.

Life goes on but I live in an apartment. I'm doing my best to be financially responsible. Pay off my debt, save up money, then look into buying a home I can afford. Ideally it would be nice to pay for it cash, but that could take a while to save up, but I'm not against it.

Marcelo · 1 year ago

We actually had a couple o health related issues that kinda nudged us into the financial precipice... but God's been faithful each and every day.

Chad Wright · 1 year ago

Overall we haven't seen much of a negative effect. The biggest issue has been gas prices being higher but that is taken care of. We're on track to have the best year ever for our business and next year could be even better.

For whatever reason we've been blessed through this time. That could of course all stop but so far so good.

Tyler Braun · 1 year ago

We sold a car to help pay for school. Now I ride a bike and mass transit to get around.

Jason Harrison · 1 year ago

I left a job and lost 20 percent of my salary because I was about to split my family up with all of the work and stress from work. I prayed for months about it prior to changing jobs, and God gave me peace about it. The enemy attacks with higher prices and different problems, but that doesn't diminish God's character. My wife now works every evening, and we don't see each other anymore, but our relationship is stronger than ever. Funny how God injects health into things when I follow him.

Scott Fillmer · 1 year ago

I love "The Christmas Story" .... the politics of everything is getting really stupid. Personally, my several part time jobs and self employment is pretty tight right now.

Billy Chia · 1 year ago

Marcelo,
I'm a HUGE fan of Angel Food and Public Libraries! I just love the ethics of living within my means.

tricia · 1 year ago

trying to find a part-time gig or two on top of the full-time job, plus church leadership responsibilities, Bible studies and mentoring...

beccity98 · 1 year ago

Well, Hubs and I were able to buy a house at $50k less than the asking price (which was $100k less than the sellers bought it for originally), but it took over 6 months with all the bank turmoil and IndyMac being seized (who we eventually got our loan through.)

However, I work for a bank that's been in the news recently (don't listen to the news!! They are just plain dumb!! Who cares about Sarah Palin's glasses, anyway?!) and we're getting a lot of customer questions about our stability, if we're closing, getting bought out, etc. What the customers don't understand is we partially rely on their deposits, so closing your accounts will MAKE use close!

So, good personally, stressful at work.

Mike Dalton · 1 year ago

It's been three of the longest and greatest years of my life!!! My company lost its biggest account and had to lay off most of the staff, our worship pastor left with 8 weeks notice leaving me to oversee the ministry and the volunteers for almost two years as a volunteer, I've had five different jobs in three years making almost half of what I was making, found a job that I could do full time and still serve more than I ever thought I could, then the government pulled our contracts and was laid off, we are in the process of losing our house that has been on the market off and on for two years, a group of friends started a homeless outreach ministry in Temecula and it has grown beyond all of our dreams(but not God's dreams), and yet we have never been so close and so strong in our faith, we know that all this is in God's hands and He will take care of us no matter what.

I can't wait to see what's next for our family.

Jesse H. · 1 year ago

Gas and groceries are so high where we live that I don't think we've been "out" to eat in over a year. Been living on bologna and oatmeal. But God is good through it all. I'm lucky to have a job, a good job. And I get to minister to students on a daily, even though the pay is peanuts, it's still an awesome thing.

Andrew · 1 year ago

I guess things are different here in Oklahoma but we have not struggled at all. Our business has stayed steady, if not grown a little bit. Gas has caused a little bit of a pinch but not too bad. God has been good. No worries here. Everyone move to Oklahoma!

amy · 1 year ago

The Good: Almost 2yrs ago we purchased a gutted single-wide for a few thousand dollars, fixed it up and put it on some family land. We've learned to make it a home. In doing so, I hope that when we get ready to purchase a home in the next year, we'll feel some of the benefits of a buyers market.

The not so Good: We traded our truck in for a car... and my husband can't stop whining. ;O)

But, I seriously feel for and pray for those struggling, b/c I've definitely been there.

Amanda · 1 year ago

Background -single mon of a beautiful 7-year-old daughter. Man, it got tough there for about 2 months. I think I just had to adjust my thinking and habits a bit. Started really paying attention to grocery ads and cutting coupons. With just the two of us, its easy to pick something up, but now I cook alot instead. Luckily, I bought a Honda civic about a year ago, so gas expenses are much better than they could have been. Started the Dave Ramsey plan which is a bunch of common sense put into an easy financial plan. www.daveramsey.com

I think, really, I've been trusting God more than before. I just know He will provide. If times are tough, I adjust and trust that He is in control. That's not always easy, but in a way, it is very freeing to know that all things work together for good, you know?

Rachel · 1 year ago

Like Andrew, I live in Oklahoma. =) But I've definitely had to tighten up lately. I've felt the rising costs a little bit, even though I recently got a raise that pretty much compensated for the increase in cost of living around here.

I have some amazingly reliable roommates (even though we're short one), and we're good at sharing things. It helps so much to split costs, share rides, and keep things running as efficiently as we can at our house, since energy bills were out the wazoo this summer. I really don't think it had to do with how much energy we used as much as it did with the electric and gas companies jacking their rates up. Fishy, to say the least.

Learning to live with less is always a good experience. I freaked out a bit at first, but then I got used to it. There is grace!

annon. · 1 year ago

If you own a car you are in the world's top 10% of wealthy people... so I guess I'm doing pretty well these days.

I understand the economics and the "slump" we are in however... I have a hard time byeing the media's outplay of our economic situation being like the great depression because during those days the lines that went on for blocks and blocks were to get into the food kitchens ... NOT the APPLE stores.

By living debt free and simply all these years we are not feeling the effects too much although gas and grocery prices aren't fun.

Casey · 1 year ago

Seriously effected. My husband owns a home-improvement business. Since he is the owner, he is the last to be paid. That being said, praying every month to have a paycheck at the end of it is my life now. God had provided, and I can't complain. Roof over my head, food, clothes, some luxuries, but now wiggle room for saving more for a house, etc. Still, we are doing well and hope that in time, the company will survive to provide for those 30 employees and the owners.

Mandy · 1 year ago

Hubs is in the RV market. It's taken a HUGE hit. Our paycheck was down 40% which was hard. Now it's down 60%. We are commission only which means we have to be disciplined w/ what little money we do get.

Luckily we have an affordable home & no other debt. The 3 kids are understanding about no extras right now.

I've taken a job (starting in a few weeks) to cover the 60% cut in pay. Desperate times call for desperate measures...

Ronni · 1 year ago

Well I quit school, took a job, got rid of our house (was in a land contract and backed out). Reduced our living expenses by 900 a month (thats alot in Ohio). So it has totally changed our lives.

I loved my house, but live in a 2brm townhouse now. But it made us get our priorities straight. We got rid of about 80% of what we owned. Now it's about worship and serving God. Period. A few musical instruments, tools for our jobs, a few personal things, and thats about it anymore.

What a shift!

Ben · 1 year ago

In full time ministry, have to raise all of our financial support. I really wish people would stop watching the news. I have to agree that, until the lines are for bread and milk and not iPhones, I refuse to believe that the economy is really struggling. I tried for 10 minutes to get a parking spot at the mall two weeks ago.

I don't mean to make light of people who are struggling to sell houses and things like that. The housing market has certainly slowed in SOME (but not all) areas. And gas prices are absurd, but it doesn't change the fact that the economy is just not as bad as the cable news networks would have us believe. They've just found that it drives their ratings up for there to be a crisis.

In answer to your question, things are tight, because folks stop giving when they perceive a crisis looming. But we are making it, even in the midst of the medical bills for my son. (thanks to all of you who prayed... he's doing great!)

alicia · 1 year ago

My husband is working two jobs... praying that he won't get sent home from work more than one day a week.. Budgeting everything to the last penny. Taking odd jobs to make ends meet. But really God provides every month for our bills - I don't know how because it doesn't make sense on paper but it always works out. :)

Lana · 1 year ago

Not too much. Agree with annon above. After travelling to third world countries, seems most of us are rich.

psalm23 · 1 year ago

I am losing my job in January. Seriously, my boss told me.

psalm23 · 1 year ago

By the way, "I love the Christmas story. A few more months and we'll watch it again :) "

gail · 1 year ago

i work in the financial consulting world. a few months ago i just came to the conclusion that i could continue to worry about the market and how it would affect me or i could believe that God would continue to be the good, kind and providing God that he has always been...

Darcie · 1 year ago

A little late commenting, but still wanted to.
Two weeks ago I was dating a guy, and he ended it. He had lost his job and said "we can get back together when the economy gets better." Probably an excuse, but very creative :)

erika chapman · 1 year ago

My husband was laid off Thursday. Lots of fun. God is good though!