Live simply, it’s cheaper

Live simply, it’s cheaper

EDITOR:

Last week I read the story about the Delphi salary employee bemoaning the loss of health care to Sherrod Brown, not only the cost but the fact that they cannot eat out or afford to buy clothes. Perhaps they need to stay out of the higher priced restaurants and eat fast food once or twice a month and the rest of the month learn how to use that stove in their kitchen. Cooking meals at home is cheaper and it provides great family time, which our children have sorely lacked over the years. As for buying clothes, well have they ever gone to consignment shops? How about garage sales? Amazing clothes for sale for everyone in the family. Who’s to know?

Believe me I have never bought clothes from consignment shops until last year at Christmas time. What a surprise. What bargains.

Do they have two or more cars? Why? Arrange to ride together. Take turns with other parents carting kids to all the numerous activities that schools offer. Pick and choose how many of those activities your children can participate in. You don’t have to say “yes” to everything. Look how much gas you’ll save.

How many cell phones does your family have? Why? Its not business as usual, Delphi employee. Sit down with your family and tell them that and enlist their help in dealing with it. Take walks together. You’ll all be healthier and won’t have to go to the doctor so often. How about pay as you go? Talk to your doctor or dentist and see if you can’t get a break on the amount you pay for services.

My husband and I are senior citizens. We are basically healthy people and trying to stay that way. We don’t go to the doctor often or the dentist or the eye doctor. We have no dental insurance so we pay as we go. We have no eye insurance so we have to save up for that trip. We are on Medicare but that’s beginning to look shaky as is Social Security. Our pension is in jeopardy because of GM bankruptcy. We still have a mortgage to pay. We have one car and we intend to drive that until the wheels fall off. It’s a mini van and we try to do our own hauling of both people and things. I’ve canceled our Internet service as its unnecessary for living. The next thing to go will be the cable. We do not have cell phone service.

So many things in your lives are not necessary and not having them will allow more peace and help your bottom line. Learn how to live cheaper and you’ll be happier. Promise.

MARGARET HENNING

Youngstown