2nd Trimester

Are you scarred about the economy?

This is sort of a two-fold question. 

First are you nervous at all about the economy?

Second- If the economy continues to decline what sort of lifestyle changes will your family be making? (i.e. no clothes shopping, eating out etc.)

 DH and I own an ice cream store and are considering opening several other sit down casual restaurants. Obviously I know it is ultimatly our decision to make I am just curius to see if eating out will be one of the things most people cut out of their budget.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Re: Are you scarred about the economy?

  • Um hells yes. My DH is a manager of a car dealership so the economy definitely affects our income.

    We've already cut out a lot. ?I don't go shopping anymore and I cook and eat most meals at home. ?We used to eat out a lot. ?I'm also doing without a lot of frills like manicures or pedicures. ?It sucks but hey I'd rather save that money for my DS.?

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  • First are you nervous at all about the economy?
    Frightened. 

    Second- If the economy continues to decline what sort of lifestyle changes will your family be making? (i.e. no clothes shopping, eating out etc.)
    DH and I already cut back a lot, I don't know where else we can.

     We're currently looking into prostitution.

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  • Eating out would be the first to go. After that we would have to sell our house. I had just lost my job when I found out I was pregnant, and I'm making about 1/3 of what I was. Things are really stressful at the moment.

  • First, heck yeah!  My husband got laid off last week and is applying everywhere.  It is disheartening to hear that the unemployment rate will be going up even higher in the next month.

    Second, we already have.  We normally eat out a lot and we've cut back, even in the last week.  We are also watching every dollar we spend since he will only be getting one more check in two weeks.

    The economy sucks!

  • yikes! I would be scared to open additional restaurants at this point if i were in your shoes. Ultimately you both know your situation and where your buisness is located, amount of traffic that comes through and the kind of people in the area. I think people always say that eating out is what they would cut back on. I know whenever money gets tight we always say we have to stop eating out, but then again there will always be people that will eat out no matter the situation. ;)
  • I'm not scared about it, but it has been a catalyst for us to be more in line with our financial goals. We've talked a lot more about our finances and prioritized.

    We live pretty frugally, so most is already cut out.

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  • DH and I run fine-dining restaurants.   We've been seeing the effects of the state of the economy all year.  It sucks.  Not only does it affect our income, but we're worried about the future of our jobs.

  • imagePrincess_Lily:
      We're currently looking into prostitution.

    LOL.  Of course, I'm scared - DH just graduated with his master's degree in August and is still looking for a job.  We've already cut back a lot, too.  To cut back more, we'll have to stop saving so much for frivolous things like retirement and the future college fund. 

  • No, I am not all that worried about the economy for our family. That being said I would not open a restaurant in a down economy. I grew up with two restaurant pros and it is just not a smart idea. Just because I am not cutting out all trips out to eat many many people are. I would really reconsider your timing and wait it out. My parents own several restaurants and lots of established restaurants around them are closing down left and right.

  • Also, I would never open a restaurant while pregnant! That is just insane.
  • Im freaking scared out of my mind!! We have already made cut backs and it still doesnt seem like its enough. Right now it doesnt matter if you are a car salesman or Doctor, everyone is seeing a difference in buisness.

    The news just had a story on how appts. have decreased by 30% since 2007 while free health clinics have gained patients.

  • I've actually not allowed myself to get too worried.  It's all cyclical and things will swing back up in a few years even though it all really sucks right now.  We just bought a house last month and we're trying to prep for bambino/a, so we're being frugal.  But we were frugal before so not much has changed (I never pay full price for anything - almost my entire wardrobe comes from Kohls and TJ Maxx clearance racks).  If we were to cut down on anything more, it would be the eating out both for lunch during the week and dinners on weekends.
  • We used to go out to eat 3-4 times a week, every week.  $50 on dinner easy, with drinks, several times a day.

    DH is in the car business, which SUCKS lately.  So we have probably gone out to eat, about 5 times, in the last 6-8 months.

    I would not open a restaurant right now, no way.

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  • The only thing that really concerns me is the company we work for pays bonus depending on how well we do throughout the year meeting budget etc. I know DH doesn't depend on this money but it is an additional 25% of his income so it really helps pay down bills etc. I would really like to be a SAHM so I'm hoping the economy picks up so that I can do that or just work part time.

    We don't really eat out too often, though we've been eating out more since I got pregnant and we don't spend a lot of money on shopping in general.
     

  • Thanks ladies!  You have been a huge help!
  • Eating out has been the first thing cut for us... DH just started working this week after being unemployed for 7.5 mos since he got laid off in March... it's been tough.  It's going to get easier for the next couple of months with him working but we will still watch every dollar we spend and hopefully jump start our savings.... we still plan to eat out less..
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  • The economy hasn't really effected us personally.  The worse situations get the more overtime DH tends to see. I work with people who have money regardless (I work for my dads company who builds multi million dollar custom homes). We have a nice nest egg set up if something bad did happen, and I am going to be a SAHM once baby 2 arrives (I will be doing some work from home and will go into work if i HAVE to which allows be to bring baby).
  • the only scar i have is from the chicken pox. am i scared? yes. we cut down on eating out to help with the baby and paying debts off
  • Our business has grown by 500% over the last 3 years.  We can't keep up!  So personally we are not worried.   However, we live frugally as it is because like the Ant & the Grasshopper story we know to save in times of plenty to prepare for the down times.  We don't eat out much, I think 'location location location' should be your mantra as you decide to open shop, or not.  Good luck! 
  • Not at all actually. I work in advertising and when the economy is bad, the advertising industry is booming. I write and voice radio commercials and I've had more work in the past year than in years' past.

    I certainly can't complain!

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