What Have You Cut Lately?
Ferndale Patch columnist Emell Derra Adolphus asks what has become a necessity and what is expendable in your own budget.
Every year, for a few weeks, we learn just enough about the city budget to decide who to blame for its deficit. Some put the blame on the flowers or other types of beautification, while others look at the salaries of city workers or even the stipend given to City Council.
It tends to be economically smart to change spending habits with the changes of the economy, both in our own pockets and in city government. And it's not uncommon these days to hear the words "cuts" and "cutbacks."
We all want to feel safe in our homes and be able to take our dogs for walks around a neighborhood with parks, stores, schools, libraries and community centers—you know, the things that make up a neighborhood— but in a money pinch, nothing is off the table.
The city was able to pass a millage May 3, by just 198 votes, to help with the shortfall in the general fund and to avoid drastic cuts to police and fire protection. Maybe that's the equivalent to getting a second, or a third, job.
However, in every budget, there are things that fall under necessity and things that are expendable. For some, food is a necessity and cigarettes are expendable; for others, it's vice versa. But as we become more comfortable with our expendables, maybe too many things are becoming necessities.
My necessity is a pumpkin spice iced cappuccino from Tim Hortons. Then there is the cappuccino before work, the cappuccino after work and the late-night treat for my hard day's work – yep, cappuccino. Within a week, I am out about $80 with nothing to show for it but a sudden weight gain and bloodshot eyes.
So, I went to one of Ferndale's No. 1 guys for budget advice: Robert Babut, FernCare's treasurer.
"It's a good thing, probably, to take a look at everything you spend money on," Babut said. "If you go to Starbucks every day, smoking or going out to eat every night—those are the cuts you should make because they are easy cuts."
That might be a no-brainer.
The recent millage increase was, as many stated, a payment for our city's services. The recent millage was also, as others put it, the government taking more money out of our wallets.
While no one likes to pay more when it comes to the cost of anything, it is the price we have to pay.
So, tell me … what are necessities in your budget? What is expendable?
Michael Haberlein
8:05 am on Monday, May 16, 2011
There is no easy answer to having less money than you did before - either for an individual in Ferndale or the city government. We are all used to having what we want and it's painful to have to give it up. Approving the millage means we will all have to cut back a little more . . . . . less smoking (I am a smoker), fewer nights out on the town, and a little more savvy shopping for everything (for both the city and individuals) is a painful necessity.
Emell Derra Adolphus
8:39 pm on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Thanks Michael. It sounds to me like your smoking is my cappuccinos. How do you ease the pain of cutting back?
Phoenix
10:02 am on Monday, May 16, 2011
That's an interesting question. I was just down at the Loving Touch talking about Ferndale Pride, events at Dino's & Howes and a basic shift in how people look at their money. Somewhere in there we started talking about a fundamental shift from "oh just put it on the card" and "How much do I have on me". Professionally we've always leveraged a fair amount of credit to get those things we needed to make things run and called it a cost of doing business. But at some point the fees of working in that mode can sink the ship. I'm now on a path of create your own credit reserves. First you have to get out from being under water. It hit me a while ago when I got a $35 late fee on a $14 payment.
So first I gave up paying extra on old items. Then we cut back on entertainment expenses. You love to have a night out at rosie's but I really should plan to go on 1/2 pizza night. Or instead of hitting a place in Dearborn for a speciality I'll stay local and get something similar. I'd rather not spend the $4 gas when possible.
Emell Derra Adolphus
8:44 pm on Tuesday, May 24, 2011
The good thing about Ferndale is that bikes are very useful. But I feel like some things, no matter how much we complain, we will purchase them anyway. For example: The price of gas hits $6, what can we really do about it? We will complain all the way to the pump but still buy gas, or is $6 the price when you boycott?
Linda Baker
6:30 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011
We have been cutting back for years - can't remember the last time I went to the movies or had a steak dinner, we go to less expensive resturaunts and spend more evenings in watching a DVD or movie on TV - we still maintain our home and vehicles and pets get good food and care. I've always been a thrift store shopper and quality has always won over quantity so that hasn't changed - Christmas presents have been cut back on and I don't spend the money on annuals for the garden like I used to but it still looks good - keeping a savings account has become mandatory and spending cash instead of credit is now the rule. If credit is used I try to get a special deal like "6 months and no interest if paid in full". I try to make fewer trips out in the car because of the gas prices and have found that gas is usually 10 cents a gallon cheaper near my sons home at 15 & VanDyke so I tend to fill up there - life is still good just not as easy!