Slow periods

With the current economic situation, people are re-assessing their spending habits. Now that LARGE SUV that can seat 8 and pull your house if it was on wheels might not have been the best decision when buying the last family car since you only have two children and have never even thought of driving off road. Take out or delivered meals five times a week are taking a large bite out of the budget these days too. A few years ago it was no problem, just refinance the house to pay the credit cards off and the car, wait two months and start the cycle all over.
I grew up in middle class suburbia. Dad went to work and mom stayed home to take care of the family. The family income was sufficient for all the needs and some luxuries. The yearly family vacation was at least one week at the beach, while in NJ it was in a rented apartment in a large beach house. Once we moved to NC, it was in a hotel on the beach, but still within the family budget. Mom cooked each night and we all sat down together as a family. Our clothes came from Sears or JC Penny, and there were two cars, both station wagons, in the driveway even though 5 people drove.
Today, people seem to think that a morning Starbucks, lunch out and some sort of meal picked up or delivered in the norm. Coworkers complain about low commissions yet stop buy to buy coffee on their way in, free coffee here at work. Then there is the $6-7 lunch each day. I might treat myself to lunch on Friday, but I pack my lunch the rest of the time. I cook on Sunday afternoon for the week, sometimes I cook on Wednesday if running low. Dinner is usually something light.
I have been sharing recipes and cooking secrets with one of my coworkers. She is a single mom and would make most of her meals out of a package. First item she learned about was sauteed spinach. She never realized how easy it was and how much better it tasted. It is now a staple on her menu. Then came Sweet Chili Sauce on chicken, her boys loved it and she never has leftovers. Last week she combined the sauteed spinach with boneless chicken to produce stuffed chicken breasts. Now she is eating items previously purchased, but since homemade, much healthier and less expensive.
In these times of cutting back a little organization, and watching grocery store ads, families can still survive. Maybe cutting back will include not buying a new car every two years, or $100 athletic shoes(sneakers in my day) every time a sports star comes out with a new model. And maybe a new car when your child turns 16 will have to wait. They can drive mom's used one after hers is replaced.