One thing is for sure, now is the time to BUY and not to sell! Sometimes we're forced to sell when we don't want to, but if you can avoid it, do so.

We've been fortunate enough to have seen this coming from a long way off, five years ago we relocate to a cheaper area, with a better paying job. We cut our fixed expenses (mortgage, debt, cars) to one salary's worth, and that salary being pretty low for our prior lives. When the bonuses and profit share come around, we're usually pretty set (although I do have a car payment now because of my wreck in 06.)

We stopped going to town so much, and when we do, we bite the bullet and try to get it all done in one trip. This sometimes is annoying because the boy does not want to wait for me at the hair salon. But, if he wants to go to the mall on this trip, we'll have to compromise.

I ride my bike for errands and such. I've noticed I'm not the only one. We bought a Civic for the boy from one of our other boys, but he's not legal for another year and a half, so we drive it as much as possible.

Here's a sign of the times. Youngest boy bought a scooter for himself. It broke, under warranty, so we took it to the shop. It's been there for THREE weeks, because the shop is so snowed under, just SELLING scooters.

Karen