[patience]

Not yet, although we can feel it in the ability to save less. It's hard to quantify, since we have lived below our means for half our lives, and because we put so much into future needs. Prepping, if you will. Things that will reduce our future expenses, or add productive capacity.

My wife and I and both kids are college graduates, and we live in what has been called a "poverty pocket" of south Indiana, where real estate and other local items have been comparatively cheaper than the city areas. We chose the area to make it possible to live cheap, save more, and still earn above the local average, which has worked for the last 30 years. That is changing, as PO price effects hit this area.

As commuting costs rise, it hits us directly, so we have gone to a car with better fuel economy, and I quit the day job in 2003 to work in our home repair business, so I drive very little. My income has dropped due to local hardship. What I call retail customers, average folks who used to come in with hobby projects, are few and far between. The bulk of my business always came from farmers, loggers, and local small businesses, all of which are hurt by current economic pressures. I expect that core business to drop a lot more, as things tighten, but leave me with a small income.

Meanwhile, at age 62 this year, my wife and I can both begin to draw Social Security for as long as that lasts. Her commuting cost will stop, currently 32 miles one way, with 25 to 32 mpg. Then it will be just her local discretionary driving, which means we won't have to buy another vehicle for a long time, maybe never. I expect SS to be inflated away-said so 30 years ago. As that happens, we hope to benefit enough from our preps to live comfortably, although we will work at the business as long as we are able.

On the immediate horizon are increasing crime and inflation, the two greatest threats we have to deal with. Our efforts to mitigate those are effective to a great degree, but not perfect. We live in a rural, low crime area, but petty theft is increasing, notably stealing copper. We deal in steel, which is much less of a target, but that will increase. Neighbors watch out for us, since most of them are farmers who depend on us to fix their equipment, and we have a relationship with them based on friendship first, rather than business. It cannot be otherwise in a small town situation.

As our costs rise, we implement alternatives, so it doesn't hurt, it is just a return to the life we knew as farm kids 50+ years ago. Not all bad.

[shakespear1]

For those in the oil industry they may be getting raises but if their company is paying in US dollars they are getting a "close shave".

The drop in the dollar has wracked any raises AND diminished the purchasing power of the payed pension to its retired employees. This must be very painful to those who do not live in the US and need to convert to their local currency.

At one of the major oil industry service companies this is the situation. Not sure how this is being dealt with now but I'm sure the worker bees are not happy.

[nickynicky]

post 140% raises to make up for it

[PonyBoy78]

I went with "Not yet."

I've gotten a few significant raises in the past few months, believe it or not outpacing the inflation rate. My partner and I live well below our means (in order to pay-off our preparation debts early), and we fill our vehicles up maybe once a month. We shop on the way home from work on the last day of the work week, and when we get home, we stay home until it's time to go back to work. Our thermostat is set to between 80-82F.

Eating out? Nope. We buy in bulk at the grocery store and stay at home, supplementing our food stock with a rather large veggie garden in the back yard. If we were stuck in this small house due to an emergency, we'd be able to eat for about 4 to 5 months, and we're constantly increasing our supply.

Still, even though things are okay for now, I'm praying that my job (healthcare) holds together for a few more years. I need that income.

[vision-master]

It's good to hear how well you all are doing. Of course, not many ppl "here" are willing to admit "hard times" have hit home. It's that ego and pride thing I bet. Why would anyone here ever say they are heading for rock bottom, that would be very shameful, correct.

[shakespear1]

Good read of how "Reality" is shaped

Depression

and this of how things are on the ground

View on the Ground

[JJ]

I'm in Burnet, Tx. We aren't getting squeezed bad yet, but groceries and energy (gas, elec. etc.) have all gone WAY up. We have always lived frugaly (I make 25,000 a year), wife makes a little more under the table. To the above post, I don't think you'll be able to live in Austin, Tx. 4-5 months if there is a collapse. Maybe a few days.