Recession Life

Save a Ketchup Packet, or Ten

Saving the little extras can sometimes bring happy rewards.

I reached down into the cupholder for a quarter. A napkin was stuffed inside the cup, so I twisted my fingers, searching for the elusive change. Instead, what I got was a handful of condiment packets: ketchup, salt, pepper, hot sauce and even a lemon packet. Looking further, I discovered I had quite a few of these packets under the dashboard. There are even some in the glove box along with a couple straws, more napkins, tissues, a plastic fork, knife and a map. I am ready, ready for a complete auto failure should one come along, leaving me stranded on the highway out in no-man’s-land. I keep everything I don’t use, just in case. Once I went through a drive-through to buy a dollar hamburger and fries. There was no ketchup in the bag, so I …

Recession Life

Warmth In Thunder Snow

Even in the worst weather some warmth is not far away.

The monster storm was headed our way. We waited and watched for the thunder snow. They predicted ice, sleet and blizzard conditions. The sleet began falling on our Affton sidewalks. I kept listening for the sky to let loose and didn't leave the house for fear of what might come. I had spread salt on the drive early on. I went out periodically to check the conditions. At times sleet pinged like mini marbles bouncing on glass. The news reports talked about snow coming after 6 p.m. so around 5 p.m. I took my snow shovel to the drive. Everything was slick and solid. I naively thought I could just push the shovel along. I had seen one neighbor sliding his shovel across pavement and I thought it was light weight. I didn't realize a crust had …

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Recession Life

For a Bunch of Parsley

Sometimes buying something simple brings out frugal instincts in us when we least expect it.

It was a small purchase; one bunch of parsley. I had painstakingly searched through the bin marked $0.98 looking for the fullest, most robust plant. On the other side of the produce section was another variety of parsley priced at $1.30 a bunch. I remember when this grocery store offered free parsley. Since this green isn’t high on most customers’ lists, the store was able to give you something for nothing. I used to pick up some for my pet rabbit. After feeding my pet the pungent vegetable for several years I decided to find out the health benefits for humans. As it turns out parsley is high in Vitamins A, C, K and iron. It also has been shown to help with digestive issues, bronchitis and urinary tract problems. Chopping it finely in …

Recession Life

Lessons from a New Sweater

Getting something new brings out unexpected feelings of preservation.

I got a new sweater for Christmas. It’s a rust-colored cardigan I had seen while shopping with my sister. I remarked that I liked it and my sister encouraged me to try it on. I said no. It was too expensive for me to purchase, so I saw no reason for temptation. I’ve been needing a new sweater for awhile. I have many sweaters, but they are getting worn and some are shrinking. The blue sweater has only one button left on it. The gray one has holes at the wrists and some at the shoulders. The multi-colored sweater is so short, I should just give it to my seven-year-old niece to wear. The sweater at the department store looked luxurious. It was long, had two pockets and big buttons down the front. The feel of it was so soft I almost rubbed it …

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Cindy Letchworth

2:24 pm on Sunday, January 30, 2011

Thanks Jean.   more ›

Recession Life

Meditations on a Winter Nest

Building my nest, one dollar at a time.

The squirrel shimmied up the naked tree and ran to the end of a thin limb. It jerked and pulled at something. I squinted to see what it was attempting to remove. The tree looked bare to me. Stripped of its summer foliage it looked stark and brown in a gray sky. The squirrel kept working, and finally, he sprung back with a mouth full of leaves. It seemed impossible, yet when I looked closer I saw the nubbins of unfallen foliage. With a full stash in its possession, the squirrel ran to the main trunk, then up toward a higher sturdier branch. It disappeared inside its nest. Scrounging for scraps is an activity I share with the squirrel. Looking for that household item or food product at a discounted price has become a way of life. Thinking of…

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Recession Life

A Story of Two Storms

The New Year's Eve tornado brings back memories of a destructive storm in 2006.

I looked in the refrigerator. Everything was ruined. The new gallon of milk, the processed cheese, the spaghetti leftovers and the eggs were rotten. A pound of beef, some chicken thighs and the ice cream had to be tossed. It had been four days. Four days without power in one of the hottest months of summer that year. In July 2006 80 mph gust-front winds ripped through Affton and the surrounding areas. The storm blew down a large section of my front yard in a matter of moments. I ran down into the basement to get my dog from the yard because the sky had darkened and winds began to blow. During the time it took me to let the dog inside, the tree had been churned and spit out. I stayed in the basement with flashlight and radio in hand and …

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Recession Life

When Car Tires Die

A flat tire makes you ponder the value of warranties when you're on a tight budget.

The car sagged, and I stared at the tires in disbelief. The left front tire looked like a deflated balloon. It was hard to know which I hated more: the fact that the car was stuck in the drive or that I had only recently purchased tires. I had sprung for a new set shortly before I was laid off. At the time I didn't know that job loss was eminent, but once it occurred, I was thankful I had a new set of radials. I checked with some repair shops within walking distance of my home. None of them did towing, so I called my friend Bob who owned Green Park Automotive on Union Road at  Green Park Road. Bob towed, and also provided tire repairs. I was lucky enough to get him on the phone. He answered in his usual upbeat manner, "It's a great day at …

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Recession Life

Seeking Snow Bargains

A walk in the snow brings good deals for those braving the elements.

The snow was deep. Too deep to get the car out if you had nowhere to go. For once I was glad I could stay home and simply watch the snow fall with delicate urgency. It mounted along the window frames and perchd on phone wires. Birds scrambled to eat the egg scraps I had thrown out. I wished I had enough crumbs for every hungry creature out in the cold. Periodically I would attempt to shovel. Neighbors down the street were busy with their snow blowers, and along Union Road I heard the drone of a plow. Only a few vehicles were slowly moving on the main road when I went inside for lunch. I opened the refrigerator only to find I had no bread.Impossible! I always had bread, despite the strain on my budget. Bread is a mainstay and if you shop …

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Recession Life

Holiday Spirit Can Be an Unexpected Gift when Struggling with Money

One moment can give you a gift you hadn't expected.

It had been a frustrating day filled with dead-end job leads and a car repair I couldn't really afford. As I approached the intersection of Morganford and Seibert, I noticed a crowd gathering in front of Bayless Baptist Church. It was a couple of weeks before Christmas, and I had hardly thought about the holiday. There were presents to buy and cards to sign, but procrastination had set in. I was too busy trying to figure out how I was going to pay for gifts and party food to care how close we were to a that one special day of the year when all those worries aren't supposed to matter. As I passed the church I caught a glimpse of the live nativity being played out. Usually I would have just driven by, but that day I steered the car into a …

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