Survey: Are You Spending More Or Less?

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Spending more on machinery for the company and the cars, plus buying the Scirocco and GTI engine donor car.

But should be spending that money on the 928 that I’m super jealous of!

[pavulon]

Bought some high end speakers and an old car. I've been hoping to find both for between 10 and 15 years. Now working on accumulating parts to swap into the car. Need to dial back on the electronic subscriptions.

[Zeke]

Spending more only because prices have gone up. What we need and buy has remained the same.

I raised my labor rate 3 times in 15 years. Last was $45/hr for home repairs, etc and before COVID. I got the feeling that I had punched through the ceiling but it's a moot point now because I quit going out on calls. My truck is empty and might be for sale.

And people forget. Loyalty is non existent. If I had it all to do over again I would have been much less kind and detail oriented. The payback doesn't meet the effort.

I turned my phone off.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Spending more on machinery for the company and the cars, plus buying the Scirocco and GTI engine donor car.

But according to recently posted food photos you seem to be eating well!

[fintstone]

Not much change for us except massive inflation is making almost everything cost more. Saved a lot on commuting as employers want remote work. Unfortunately, working from home seems to add a lot of hours (donated to employer). We generally get groceries at local WalMart the same as before (As no masks required and the best local prices/hours). We spend about the same on travel but eat out more as restaurants are generally not as crowded. Maybe tip a bit more. Not much change for me except when I have to fly, they make me wear a stupid mask (I don't know how people wear those things to work, after a 4 hr flight and the airport time on both ends I am wasted)...so driving often was my chosen solution before the massive increase in gas prices. Cheaper to fly now.

[Jims5543]

Personally spending very little. I went into panic mode in early November 2020 knowing the days of a strong economy are numbered.

I went to work on my debt and paid off my mortgage in 4 months, then paid off all my credit cards and other debt. I am 100% debt free now.

Then I turned my attention to my business I spent about 100K on all new equipment for myself and my other crew. I am one of the first in the area to embrace Hybrid GPS tech in surveying. It is so leading edge that Topcon has sent many to interview me and create advertising commercials in print and video based on my experiences.

I also put my other crew in an Prius V that I purchased used. 50MPG for the win!!

My goal? Get as lean as possible for the next crash which is being ushered in and will be here within the next year.

My CPA called me in August and told me I am turning too much profit and to buy things, Hence the 100K in equipment... seems that was not enough, so he said to increase payroll, so I gave some raises out then doubled my salary, with no debt anymore, we are putting 50% of it into investments and then I take the other 50% and turn it into cash/gold/silver/lead.

I am pissed, Covid caused me to back out of a RE deal, I was about to sign a contract to purchase a pre-construction sale condo that is for people to store cars, it was called an Auto vault.

I ran into a good friend 3 weeks ago, her purchased 2 of them and just sold both off for 60K profit each.

I cannot sit and lick wounds, now that I am 100% debt free I am making moves to insulate me against an economic crash.

I spend a little now that I am debt free but for the most part, I am starting to circle the wagons, I feel like we are in 2007 all over again.

[Bill Douglas]

I'm still spending the same (everything), but I'm spending more of it on alcohol and cheap-ish collectables such as matchbox toy cars and model train stuff.

I still eat out a couple of times a week I guess.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by rwest

But should be spending that money on the 928 that I’m super jealous of!

In a way I am Rutager. Time is extremely limited these days so I'm buying stuff that buys me time. I honestly thought I'd have the engine done by now and just need to refresh the suspension and paint the car but am just starting to build the paint shop now. It's all about time.

Originally Posted by craigster59

But according to recently posted food photos you seem to be eating well!

Gobbled down 3 lobsters a bit ago when they were on sale, salmon with honey, pistachio candied garlic sauce last night. I can't imagine going through life without eating well.

[Tobra]

Spending more, buying less

For example, non sterile gloves have gone up %1000, which is hard to believe

[Seahawk]

This is an interesting time for my wife and myself: Zero debt except for the house in South Carolina that rents for significantly more than the overall expenses, kids are gone doing extremely well and my business and her job are also going well.

On the work front, expenses are way down since we both have a nice work from home/in person schedule mix. It never ceases to surprise me all the costs associated with a more agressive travel and work schedule: Dry cleaning, miles on the car, meals out, etc.

No car or farm equipment purchases on the horizon. I lease out all agricultural work on the farm now which means less return but I have zero upfront expenses other than keeping the place neat and mowed.

We spend a lot less on "stuff" because, frankly, I don't really need anything of significance that I don't already have.

The one area I do spend more on is my daily "walk-about"...I get out of the house at least once a day and run an errand. I used to bundle all the routine errands into a Saturday morning but now I spread them all out for the week based on my schedule. Sounds weird but I need to get out. My wife is content to stay on the farm the days she works from home.

So: Less but not all pandemic related. Having self reliant, successful kids out on their own is a revelation: You build them into your budget and then, poof, significant savings!

[JackDidley]

More. At 68 years old I know my days of doing the things I like are numbered. This year I went to the Street Rod Nationals, Tri Five Fest, LS Fest , Frog Follies and a few drag race events. Spent a lot of money on gas doing this. And resteraunts. Worth every penny. Also seemed to be a year when I just needed stuff.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Not much change for us except massive inflation is making almost everything cost more. Saved a lot on commuting as employers want remote work. Unfortunately, working from home seems to add a lot of hours (donated to employer). We generally get groceries at local WalMart the same as before (As no masks required and the best local prices/hours). We spend about the same on travel but eat out more as restaurants are generally not as crowded. Maybe tip a bit more. Not much change for me except when I have to fly, they make me wear a stupid mask (I don't know how people wear those things to work, after a 4 hr flight and the airport time on both ends I am wasted)...so driving often was my chosen solution before the massive increase in gas prices. Cheaper to fly now.

Why is that? When I worked from home I used to get a ton more done in a fraction of the time because I didn't have constant interruptions from people stopping by my office. I loved it and was much more productive overall.

In response to spending, I would say we definitely are spending less overall, and that is primarily because we have not been traveling nearly as much as we usually do. The overall savings rate in the US is way up, so that appears to be a trend.

[Baz]

More - but not anything due to cv19. That never had any effect on my lifestyle, including spending.

Mostly because I closed my longtime business and have more time for myself and home projects and toys.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Paul T

Why is that? When I worked from home I used to get a ton more done in a fraction of the time because I didn't have constant interruptions from people stopping by my office. I loved it and was much more productive overall.

In response to spending, I would say we definitely are spending less overall, and that is primarily because we have not been traveling nearly as much as we usually do. The overall savings rate in the US is way up, so that appears to be a trend.

Yes, I get a lot more done as well and am more productive...but that has nothing to do with how many hours I have to work to get my responsibilities accomplished...as they have increased. It is no longer just working from home while everyone else is at work.

When I commuted to work, my paid (9 hr) day started at 0715 and ended at 4:45. I usually had work that kept me until the last train at 6:48 where I had to leave or spend the night...so the day had an official end. There was a 2hr commute on either end...so by the time I got home on the 6:48 train, although I had only worked 11 hours, it was 15 since I had left home...and I rarely worked after I got home (unless there was a critical deadline). I was quite happy to give up that commute and the cost of it, but it has not turned into more free time for me.

Working at home, there is no 6:48 train...so the work day really never ends...and the workload has more than doubled for me. Now, I start around 6 am (sometimes 7) and generally work with a break or two, until 8 or 9 PM...and then I am never finished. I very often have to do an all-nighter...when something that is not part of my usual job comes up as there is absolutely no time to do it. Anything I don't stay ahead of snowballs massively and crates more work.

With modern software (and almost everyone equipped to work remotely), the interruptions are much worse as I essentially have 15,000 "customers" all over the world (on our intranet) who can click a button on their computer and engage me face to face. They can also email me or text me. Each can schedule a meeting that includes me electronically (over an organization-wide system)...often several meetings are going on at the same time. That is in addition to phone calls...and my normal duties of supervision and managing several large programs. Before, folks generally did not engage me except at meetings which were not back-to-back as now because there was physical travel time. One, maybe two a day. Now six or more in a day is not rare. One ends at 11:00 and the next starts at 11:00. Many overlap. Also, those in-person meetings were usually specific, very senior people who were involved in a specific project. Now, anyone in a massive organization can ping me in a second to ask a simple question make a complaint that they would have handled themselves before (Googled it or asked their boss/coworkers). It has essentially made me (as an manager) a freaking customer service call center. This also causes very senior managers (above me) to micromanage as they cannot actually see you working...so they call endless meetings online and require endless reports about what your day-to-day activities are. No manager (above me) can ever say "no" to a task (due to lack of resources) as that might lead someone to believe that we were not handling remote/telework well...and they would have to bring us back to offices that no longer exist.

Yep, remote work started out so well (no commute and the same work/workload)...and then there was an entire industry at work to help us communicate better. Now we need another evolution to adjust to that. (or at least enough people to do the work that it has caused).

[sc_rufctr]

I spend way less. I've cut back on everything and I squirrel away as much money/assets as possible.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Yes, I get a lot more done as well and am more productive...but that has nothing to do with how many hours I have to work to get my responsibilities accomplished...as they have increased. It is no longer just working from home while everyone else is at work.

When I commuted to work, my paid (9 hr) day started at 0715 and ended at 4:45. I usually had work that kept me until the last train at 6:48 where I had to leave or spend the night...so the day had an official end. There was a 2hr commute on either end...so by the time I got home on the 6:48 train, although I had only worked 11 hours, it was 15 since I had left home...and I rarely worked after I got home (unless there was a critical deadline). I was quite happy to give up that commute and the cost of it, but it has not turned into more free time for me.

Working at home, there is no 6:48 train...so the work day really never ends...and the workload has more than doubled for me. Now, I start around 6 am (sometimes 7) and generally work with a break or two, until 8 or 9 PM...and then I am never finished. I very often have to do an all-nighter...when something that is not part of my usual job comes up as there is absolutely no time to do it. Anything I don't stay ahead of snowballs massively and crates more work.

With modern software (and almost everyone equipped to work remotely), the interruptions are much worse as I essentially have 15,000 "customers" all over the world (on our intranet) who can click a button on their computer and engage me face to face. They can also email me or text me. Each can schedule a meeting that includes me electronically (over an organization-wide system)...often several meetings are going on at the same time. That is in addition to phone calls...and my normal duties of supervision and managing several large programs. Before, folks generally did not engage me except at meetings which were not back-to-back as now because there was physical travel time. One, maybe two a day. Now six or more in a day is not rare. One ends at 11:00 and the next starts at 11:00. Many overlap. Also, those in-person meetings were usually specific, very senior people who were involved in a specific project. Now, anyone in a massive organization can ping me in a second to ask a simple question make a complaint that they would have handled themselves before (Googled it or asked their boss/coworkers). It has essentially made me (as an manager) a freaking customer service call center. This also causes very senior managers (above me) to micromanage as they cannot actually see you working...so they call endless meetings online and require endless reports about what your day-to-day activities are. No manager (above me) can ever say "no" to a task (due to lack of resources) as that might lead someone to believe that we were not handling remote/telework well...and they would have to bring us back to offices that no longer exist.

Yep, remote work started out so well (no commute and the same work/workload)...and then there was an entire industry at work to help us communicate better. Now we need another evolution to adjust to that. (or at least enough people to do the work that it has caused).

Understood. Appreciate the quite detailed explanation, and makes perfect sense. I was lucky in that I worked for a very small organization (<10 employees) for last decade of my career, and everyone was pretty autonomous and meetings were few and far between. But having worked in very large corps, I understand where you are coming from....

[GH85Carrera]

I was working at home, for myself before the China flu hit, so my commuting is unchanged. I make my own lunch at home, and often go several days and not step off the property.

I used to eat lunch with a buddy once a week, but he died from non kung flu issues. Now I skip around to different friends to eat with on the occasional lunch out.

I am at a point where there are very few toys or tools or gadgets I don't have already so I mostly buy the same needed consumables.

[stevej37]

Retired seven years ago. The first five years I was spending less because I had no income. (living off savings)
At the fifth year, my pension and SS kicked in.

Now, I spend much more and my savings are growing again.
Life is good.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Yes, I get a lot more done as well and am more productive...but that has nothing to do with how many hours I have to work to get my responsibilities accomplished...as they have increased. It is no longer just working from home while everyone else is at work.

When I commuted to work, my paid (9 hr) day started at 0715 and ended at 4:45. I usually had work that kept me until the last train at 6:48 where I had to leave or spend the night...so the day had an official end. There was a 2hr commute on either end...so by the time I got home on the 6:48 train, although I had only worked 11 hours, it was 15 since I had left home...and I rarely worked after I got home (unless there was a critical deadline). I was quite happy to give up that commute and the cost of it, but it has not turned into more free time for me.

Working at home, there is no 6:48 train...so the work day really never ends...and the workload has more than doubled for me. Now, I start around 6 am (sometimes 7) and generally work with a break or two, until 8 or 9 PM...and then I am never finished. I very often have to do an all-nighter...when something that is not part of my usual job comes up as there is absolutely no time to do it. Anything I don't stay ahead of snowballs massively and crates more work.

With modern software (and almost everyone equipped to work remotely), the interruptions are much worse as I essentially have 15,000 "customers" all over the world (on our intranet) who can click a button on their computer and engage me face to face. They can also email me or text me. Each can schedule a meeting that includes me electronically (over an organization-wide system)...often several meetings are going on at the same time. That is in addition to phone calls...and my normal duties of supervision and managing several large programs. Before, folks generally did not engage me except at meetings which were not back-to-back as now because there was physical travel time. One, maybe two a day. Now six or more in a day is not rare. One ends at 11:00 and the next starts at 11:00. Many overlap. Also, those in-person meetings were usually specific, very senior people who were involved in a specific project. Now, anyone in a massive organization can ping me in a second to ask a simple question make a complaint that they would have handled themselves before (Googled it or asked their boss/coworkers). It has essentially made me (as an manager) a freaking customer service call center. This also causes very senior managers (above me) to micromanage as they cannot actually see you working...so they call endless meetings online and require endless reports about what your day-to-day activities are. No manager (above me) can ever say "no" to a task (due to lack of resources) as that might lead someone to believe that we were not handling remote/telework well...and they would have to bring us back to offices that no longer exist.

Yep, remote work started out so well (no commute and the same work/workload)...and then there was an entire industry at work to help us communicate better. Now we need another evolution to adjust to that. (or at least enough people to do the work that it has caused).

Sounds like hell. Any possibility of changing things?

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Spending more on machinery for the company and the cars, plus buying the Scirocco and GTI engine donor car.

Same here. Bought a Cayman last year. Got a lot of maintenance that's been bugging me done on the other cars. About to pull the trigger on a Quickjack. Buying huge quantities of component parts for the company. 10x more wire than I normally do. Just bought a wire tension measuring device. to make my product even more consistent. Soon I'll be buying an assembly tool (video below) that I've wanted for years. Finally found someone to make it - my plastic injection mold maker...since the designer won't make them any more




And seriously considering one of these for wire prep to replace my Chinese POS that does the same thing, but not as easy to program or as accurate.